Cummersdale
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA2 6BD
01228 532928
Cummersdale is only two miles south of the centre but has the look and feel of a rural village. The Spinners Arms was designed by State Management Scheme architect Harry Redfern in 1930 and is classic Arts & Crafts country house with low slung roof, dormer windows and projecting gable with an oriel window (photo 1). Although the pub has been opened out inside, there are still lots of original features like wood panelling, leaded glass screens and a Delft-tiled fireplace, and it was one of the first three Redfern pubs to be Grade II listed, in 1973 (photos 3 & 4). For more about the State Management Scheme and Redfern’s Carlisle pubs see my article: tinyurl.com/2p8vj8b2
It’s owned by Carlisle Brewery with three of their cask beers on tap, and the pub is currently in the national Good Beer Guide. I got chatting to the landlady about the Redfern connection and the brewery and the locals joined in. It was Wednesday evening and as musicians started arriving I realised that I’d stumbled across the bi-monthly Irish music session (photo 5). I do enjoy a bit of diddly dee so it turned out to be a great evening.
There’s no bus service to the Spinners but there is a nice footpath and cycle route along the River Caldew which you can pick up near the cathedral.
