As part of our RS Best of England we stayed in Keswick a couple nights and decided to walk a bit farther to try the Pheasant Inn for dinner. There were 5 of us and we did not make reservations.
We arrived at around 7 (midweek) and they had no problem getting us a table, but I do think this was the only large one not taken. Anyway, we had wonderful local beer and a great meal there. Very unusual dishes all executed well. Fish pie, guineahen stuffed with haggis, the pancetta wrapped cod and the poached salmon. Desserts were delicious too and all very reasonably priced. This was one of the best meals we had while in England and the service was very friendly and attentive.
Our hotel was the Crow Park which was very nice and close to town. The Pheasant Inn is about a .6 or .7 mile walk away through a park and cricket fields which was very nice.