Hairy Biker Dave Myers likes pubs so much that he had his stag-do in one and has shares in a brewery.

Rather than a swish hotel or posh restaurant.

He and his mates caught the train from his home-town of Barrow to The Prince of Wales at Foxfield.

It doesn’t appear in his latest TV series, The Hairy Bikers’ The Pubs That Built Britain, but other Cumbrian hostelries do.

This week’s episode focussed on pubs in the Lake District, including the Royal Oak, Keswick and the Wasdale Head Inn and the Bikers will return to hear how the State Management Scheme dominated pubs and drinking in and around Carlisle for decades.

Dave reckons its a cocktail of ingredients that make a pub great.

He says: “It’s all about good company, a good landlord, good beer and these days, good food.

“It’s the traditional, freehouse pubs that seem to be doing well. Being tied to breweries makes it more difficult.

“I love The Queens Arms at Biggar, near Barrow.

“It is a lovely pub, cosy and comforting and out of the way.”

Myself and a few of the local got together and bought shares to create the Biggar Brewing Co-operative.

“There are some lovely pubs in Cumbria, some better than others, but on the whole, we should be proud of them.”

It’s all about good company, a good landlord, good beer and these days, good food

Richard Weir ran a pub for five years before moving to Cumbria and achieving another ambition of becoming a train driver.

Now he’s spokesman for the Solway branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Good quality beer is crucial to him, but there’s more to a good pub than that, he insists.

“The feel of a pub is important. Even a quiet pub can have an atmosphere that makes it pleasant to sit in and just a nice place to be.

“Whether it is in the middle of a town or out in the sticks, it should be presentable, smart and well cared-for.

“You sit in some pubs and thing ‘I’m not coming here again’.

“It’s all down to the attitude of the landlord and staff behind the bar.

“Even if it is just a smile and a hello from behind the bar, they don’t have to speak to the customers for hours.

“The quality of staff is a big thing for me, way ahead of food or even the beer.

“You could have only one or two beers on offer, but if they are good and well-kept, it is better than a range of six or eight that are not particularly good.”

The Kirkstile Inn, close to the shores of Loweswater, has been welcoming those in need of a beer or a bed (or both) since 1549.

One of the county’s most popular pubs, Roger Humphreys has owned and run it for 15 years.

“For me it’s the people who work there,” he says.

“It’s all about a smile a warm welcome, willing and friendly service, great beer and honest cooking.

“You have to be genuine and not something you’re not.

“Hopefully, the people that come will appreciate and understand what you are about.”

Running a pub is not just about pints and pies either.

More and more pubs are setting up their own breweries to add interest, cut costs and provide an extra stream of revenue.

The pub brews an award-winning range under the label of Cumbrian Legendary Ales.

Many pubs also stage events such as hog roasts or mini music or beer festivals to raise their profile and create an interest in them.

The Kirkstile is hosting a beer festival this weekend, featuring 20 different beers.

Roger enjoys the business – so much so, that he’s planning on opening another pub in the summer.

He says: “A lot of pubs are still closing, I think its about 20 a week on average. There is a lot more drinking at home.

“But there are a lot that are doing well and there are still pubs opening.

“People stay at home for their entertainment rather than going out for the crack, but people like eating out more.

“The biggest challenge is getting the right blend of staff to make sure everything works.

“I’m still enjoying it. It is very enjoyable, you meet some wonderful people.

Pubs can be a vital part of our community.

Villagers at Crosby-on-Eden, near Carlisle, are banding together to save their local from permanent closure.

Related article:  Villagers join forces to save north Cumbrian pub from closure

The Stag Inn has been up for sale for two years and closed since December’s floods.

The Swan Inn, on Kirkgate is believed to be the oldest pub in Cockerm outh.

It has been put forward for inclusion in Allerdale council’s list of community assets.

Over the past decade, the brewing and pub industry has undergone a massive and painful revolution.

Many locals have rang last orders for the final time, but most of those that survive have improved in quality and service.

And in that time, the number of breweries in the county has multiplied almost four-fold. There are now some 44 microbreweries in the county.

Richard Weir doesn’t restrict himself to drinking in pubs in the Solway area and he reckons Cumbria has a lot to be proud about.

“We have some fantastic pubs, I think we do pretty well in the county.

“I think Cumbria has come a long way in a short time in choice and quality.”