It’s a family affair for the runners-up of the Campaign for Real Ale’s West Cumbrian Pub of the Year Award, with three generations joining in on the prize.

The Brook House Inn has been named CAMRA’s runner-up for the award, thanks to their impressive selection of real ales, malt whiskies, and wines, after being previous winners of Pub of the Season and Pub of the Year.

Gareth Thornley, along with his wife Lesley, daughter Emma, sister Sarah, mum, dad, and even grandma, moved from Yorkshire to Boot in Eskdale 21 years ago, after buying the Brook House Inn in a bid to keep his parents busy doing something they love.

Back in 1998, the pub offered just two real ales and three smooth-flow keg beers. Jumping forward many years, the family has created a bustling business, with both regular and new customers being amazed by the inn’s offer of more than 180 malt whiskies, up to 10 real ales, and 10 wines by the glass, and are obvious choices for CAMRA’s sought-after award.

Commenting on the near-win, Gareth said: “It’s always great to be recognised as one of the best pubs in the region, and we definitely don’t mind being runner-up to the Kirkstile Inn.”

He spoke of the family’s adventure of moving to Cumbria to pursue their exciting career as inn owners, saying: “It has been a fantastic journey, living and working in Eskdale, raising children, watching our mum and dad taking on a new challenge, and bringing a warm welcome to all of our customers.”

The Thornleys haven’t had the easiest time while running the Brook House, with Gareth and Sarah’s mum currently battling cancer for the fourth time, but with every member of the family chipping in, the running of the inn is still going smoothly, and 21-year-old Emma is excited to take over when the time comes.