Great Langdale
Cumbria
LA22 9JY
01539 437272
The Old Dungeon Ghyll is best known for its Hikers Bar which has barely changed since it was created from a cow shed in the 1940s. The cow stalls are still there, converted to drinking booths and the permanent open fire welcomes walkers with wet clothes and muddy boots down from the Langdale Pikes. Next door is the hotel which is a bit posher and dates from Victorian times when the inn was part of a farm.
The Old Dungeon Ghyll dates from the mid 19th century and like most of Great Langdale, is owned by the National Trust. It was donated to them by Professor G.M. Trevelyan soon after he bought it in the early 1900s.
Like the Wasdale Head Inn, eight miles away over the mountains, the Old Dungeon Ghyll has played its part in the history of climbing in the UK. As well as staying there while tackling the local crags, many climbing clubs had their club dinners at the hotel. Most of the top climbers in the UK have stayed there including Joe Brown, Don Whillans, Chris Bonnington and Ian Clough plus many of the early pioneers of climbing.
The pub is open all day and offers meals from breakfast to evening. Loweswater Gold is always on tap along with five other beers from local breweries.
