Gilpin Bridge Inn

Been here twice in the last 2 wks. 1st time was 2 wks ago on a Sunday & I must say the Sunday lunch I had was 1 of the best I've ever tasted, loads of thick tender slices of beef & delicious homemade roasties & Yorkshire pud + lovely veg. 2nd time last Thurs evening homemade steak pie fabulous served with chips, red cabbage & a jug of gravy.

Stayed for 2 nights early august. Couldn’t fault this place! Rooms a little dated but cosy, beds comfortable. Had everything that’s needed. Food was amazing. Staff very friendly and always helpful. Would definitely stay again if ever down that way.

It isn't often we have a mediocre meal but sadly this was the case at the Gilpin Bridge Inn this evening. My husband selected the chicken and beef in peppercorn sauce which he described as indifferent. I chose the veggie burger which was uninspired. A disappointing evening. We decided to bail out and had dessert at home.

Says its Dog Friendly outside and online but only if you sit at 1 of 2 small tables right near the entrance. This area is a thoroughfare for customers coming in from outside and to/from the bar. There is nowhere else for those with dogs. I can totally understand not being allowed in main restaurant but no need to be treated as lepers either. So it really isnt dog friendly/dogs welcome - and certainly dont put it on a placard outside when it isnt! Poor, especially as we had travelled there on purpose to eat, having checked online re dogs. We didn't stay. The lass behind the bar was unhelpful to say the least. Shan't be going back. Went to Royal Oak nearby at Lindale, much nicer and it definitely IS dog friendly!

One of those hotels where you can’t help but think, how can they be so good at some of the guest experience and so bad at others. Let’s start with the good. The breakfast was spot on. The owners have also recently re-carpeted much of the place, so they’re putting money into it and the pub loos had also had a re-vamp and had some rather upmarket hand wash in them. All of which just emphasised how poor the offer was for those staying overnight. The rooms were decidedly compact, the double bed leaving little room for anything else, including space for cases and clothes. More noticeable after the re-vamp elsewhere was the tired looking bathroom, with not so much as a rail to leave your towel to dry. The handbasin had a pump action dispenser of the cheapest hand wash on the market…such a contrast with the stuff in the pub loos downstairs and we were supplied with two miserly sachets of combined shower gel/shampoo that weren’t adequate for one adult, let alone two. They were also meant to last us for our two nights stay. Let’s be honest, if you think it’s too much to provide even the most basic supplies for guests, then don’t bother. The young man who checked is in and seemed to be the only front of house member of staff when we ate in that night, was pleasant and welcoming, if a little disorganised. The woman running breakfast service on both days was speedy, efficient and a good host. The lady on front of house on our second night was the opposite, seemingly surprised that we might want to vary the time of our breakfast and it’s contents….yes, it’s one of those venues where you have to order the night before and specify when you’ll be down, to the nearest five minutes. Her attitude was summed up by the fact she felt we were so dim as to not know our room was named after one of the lakes. To sum up, this is a pub that does accommodation, so you it’s never going ti be four star. However, if a business is going to take people’s money for lodging, they really need to up their game. Like I say, they get some things spot on, so it’s a real shame they come across as not caring about others.

Our main problem was the booking system. Having booked I did not receive a confirmation email so a short time before our stay I phoned to confirm booking. I was told booking was definitely there for Monday to Friday and full payment had been taken, which I doubted as it had not gone from my bank, so was not surprised on arrival to have a balance to pay. The registration form did not have a space for car reg and we were told it was a new form. It seems also they have a new computer system. While out on Friday we were called a couple of times to be told our booking was only until Thursday. Our room was available for Thursday night at an extra, all be it eventually discounted rate. Obviously additional cost we had not budgeted for. The original ammount seemed about right. The extra obviously making it a more expensive stay. It turned out they had my email address wrong and could see the email had not been delivered but did not follow it up. I still have not had a detailed or even basic invoice which might have identified a problem. It turns out the kitchen don't talk to the office as by Friday they had got rid of our pre-order for breakfast, this had our correct dates on it. There was also an occasion when we requested supplies for the room which got forgotten. As mentioned they have new systems. They are advertising for staff and many of the staff they have seem to be inexperienced, although generally try hard to help. This probably contributed to the problems but it certainly took the edge off of our stay.