The Lowther Arms

You too can make like the locals, settling down in a cosy corner for a pint and a meal (if you are planning an evening meal, you'll need to book well in advance as they are full most evenings – and take note again, the pub is closed on Monday and Tuesdays), or for a morning coffee and a quiet spell during which to plan the day’s activities. The site sits within the Solway Coast National Landscape, and there is plenty to do in the vicinity, starting (predictably enough) with the pretty spectacular coastline. The sandy dunes of Mawbray Banks (10 minutes’ walk) are home to protected species like the natterjack toad, plus birds like oystercatchers and curlews. As you walk along this vast stretch, you can also take in views of Scotland across the Solway Firth. Or you can head to Allonby (five minutes’ drive), a shingle beach popular with windsurfers. Hiking trails for all abilities, including a challenging scramble up Scafell Pike (England’s highest mountain), await at Lake District National Park, which is less than half an hour’s drive away – indeed, on a clear day, you can admire its hills from the beer garden. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the site, and campfires are allowed. In addition to the pub toilets, guests also have access to a toilet block and showers.