The Chief Justice of The Common Pleas

Background 

Image courtesy of EKATERINA BOLVTSOVA

In the heart of Keswick sits this Wetherspoons. It was once a magistrate’s court and police station that was built in 1901. Later, it became a listed building in 2000. Eventually, it was taken over by JD Wetherspoon and is now one of the many pubs in the UK owned by this well-known brand. The building still retains some of the courthouse features. These include the canopied witness stand and the police station cells with the original iron doors. Notably, some of those cells are now occupied by a private table for up to 8 people.  

As you walk around the building you are greeted with the elaborate carpet, usual menus and the great big, long bar rigged with the usual draughts and hand-pulls. These are what you would expect to see at any Wetherspoons bar. The pub is located directly opposite the Crafty Baa. It is a very short walk from the pay and display car park and the town centre of Keswick. 

This Wetherspoons pub has a lot of rich history which you can read about and see through writing and old photographs around the rooms. A lot of the history is about Keswick, as well as the building itself. 

Location 

It is a very short walk from the nearest car park. It is also a brief walk from the town centre and the famous high street of Keswick. The pub is directly opposite to the Crafty Baa just over the road. The Wetherspoons isn’t far away from any of the starting points for walks. There are abundant car parks in the area too, and the bed-and-breakfast and hotel options in the area are very wide.

Food/Drink 

Taken at the bar at Wetherspoons in Keswick by Aiden Dawson

As you would expect with any Wetherspoons, the menu is consistent and cheap and cheerful. The food options are all the same as with other Wetherspoons pubs; you have your light bites, sides and sharers, and then you have the pub classics, deli deals, pizzas, burgers and of course desserts. The drinks are not limited; as always, you have your line-up of guest ales (all local to the Cumbria region), plus the usual draughts, craft ales, gins, cocktails, wine, spirits and of course the soft drinks including sugar-free Pepsi Max and lemonade. 

Accessibility 

Wheelchair Accessibility

You don’t need to worry about getting a wheelchair or pushchair in/out of the pub; there are two different entrances and one of them has no steps, a handrail and sloped access. Inside the building, you have a plethora of different rooms and twisting corridors. While there are some steps to get between parts of the building, there is also a corridor joining the bar area to the back of the pub with a ramped floor. In addition, tables and chairs are spaced well enough. Therefore, it’s easy to manoeuvre a wheelchair around the room depending on the make and model.  

Disabled Toilets

There is a disabled-friendly toilet facility located downstairs near to the bar area. Other toilets are located upstairs. They also include baby-changing facilities.  

Child-Friendly

The pub provides highchairs for babies and young infants which are located in specific points around the building. You don’t need to unfold them and they also have fastening straps to keep your child safe from falling off. There are child-friendly options on the menu, and they also provide colouring sheets and crayons to keep the children entertained while you wait for your meal. 

Outside Terrace

There is a beer garden located at the back of the building, which includes a terrace with four tables and a lower patio area with many more. It boasts ramp access from the lower to the upper terrace, and the beer garden can also be accessed directly from the carpark. Furthermore, there is also a larger beer garden located to the side of the building; this is a large square space with many tables (some of which are sheltered under a cabana-style shelter) and the whole area is rigged with decorative lighting. It is important to note that this area does shut at 8pm because it is just over the road from the bed-and-breakfasts. Hence, they don’t want it to be too noisy for them when it gets late.  

Inclusive Menu

The menu includes options for those with dietary requirements, including vegan-friendly dishes and gluten-free options. You can also choose lighter meals that are smaller portion sizes. In addition, there are also kid-friendly options.  Click here to view the menu.

Parking

The main car park is right next to the pub, and is a pay and display car park. It includes disabled parking that is closest to the pub. Pay and display machines are located in several spots around the car park. Other nearby car parks aren’t far away from the Wetherspoons pub and are located around Keswick. 

Public Transport

The nearest bus stop is just a brief walk up the road. Taxis are also available to hire and can drop you off right outside the entrance.  

Other Accessibility

Other things worth mentioning about this Wetherspoons in Keswick include TV screens throughout the building for football matches, free Wi-Fi and an order-and-pay service using an app. This app can be downloaded onto your phone. Moreover, the food/drink ordered via the app will come straight to your table as normal.  

We hope this listing has helped you in planning your visit to Keswick! If you’re still looking for other accessible, autism-friendly venues to eat and drink at, then check out other listings on our website.

For other disability-friendly Wetherspoons, check out The Stanley Jefferson in Bishop Auckland!