George and Dragon Clifton

George and Dragon Clifton - Dog Friendly Inn in Penrith, Cumbria

The George and Dragon is a country estate pub with bedrooms in the heart of the Lowther Estate.  It was comprehensively restored and refurbished in 2008 by Charles Lowther and his family to become a showcase for classic country cooking using ingredients from the family farms and kitchen gardens at sister establishment Askham Hall just down the road.

Having won multiple awards for it’s cuisine, accommodation and field to fork ethos, it has established itself as a regional dining destination. Friendly approachable staff, a fantastic wine list, real ales, 3 wood fires and and a cosy, stylish atmosphere make it a place you’ll want to come back to time and time again.

Courtyard and garden
Chunky, weathered tables sit against the front of the building and local limestone, granite and sandstone have been used to create a high-walled enclosed courtyard (a perfect sun trap) which then leads into a garden.

Families, bikes, walking boots and dogs
Families are very welcome, as are cyclists and walkers. We have a secure place to store bikes overnight. Well behaved dogs are welcome in the bar area (but not the restaurant).

Food
Much of our produce – we grow ourselves at our gardens at Askham Hall which is about two miles away. For anything we don’t grow ourselves we buy from local suppliers and farmers, many of whom are on our family estate. Head chef Gareth Webster changes the main menu monthly and specials daily, depending on what produce is brought in by our gardener of by one of our local suppliers.

You can choose from our tables in the restaurant in amongst the buzz and the action from the open kitchen or enjoy a quieter spot in one of our alcoves and intimate dining areas. Or you can choose to sit and relax in the bar and enjoy the same menu there. Wherever you eat you can enjoy the relaxing, friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

The Rooms
The George and Dragon is a lively and stylish country inn with eleven bedrooms, all of which are upstairs. Each bedroom is different – individually designed with furniture and paintings from the Lowther family collection and each is a different size with different views. What they do have in common are comfortable beds, lovely linens and crewel work materials – they all have en suite bathrooms, some with roll top baths and some with walk in showers.