Name: The Belted Will Inn

Where: Hallbankgate, near Brampton.

Website: www.beltedwill.co.uk

Tel No: 016977 46236

Opening hours: Monday – Friday 5pm – 11pm (food 6pm – 8.30pm). Saturday and Sunday 12noon till 11pm (food 12-2.30 lunchtime and 6pm – 8.30pm evenings)

Owner/chef: Stephen Starkey (Chef) and partner Alyson Forster

History: We have owned the belted will inn since 2000, It is a lovely traditional style pub and B&B in the heart of the village of Hallbankgate near Brampton.

The name of the pub comes from the moniker of ‘Belted Will’, given to Lord William Howard. He resided for a time at nearby Naworth Castle, restoring not only the building, but also law and order while serving as a Border feudal lord.

The Belted Will Inn itself can be traced all the way back to the 17th century. During the temperance movement of the 1800s, it acted as a hotel and, although alcohol was banned, provided comfort and a place to rest for weary travellers and workers alike.

Robert Stephenson’s famous ‘Rocket’ steam locomotive ended its working life in Hallbankgate.

The most advanced of its kind at the time, it brought those who worked in the mining, quarrying, brickyard, railway and farming industries to the area.

Style of food: Traditional home-cooked meals.

Menu sample: Starters include homemade soup with crusty roll (£4.95); classic prawn cocktail (£6.95); breaded goujons of plaice with rich tartare sauce (£6.45); breaded garlic mushrooms with creamy garlic mayonnaise (£6.45); half rack of BBQ pork ribs (£6.95). Mains feature 10oz Lakeland sirloin steak served with all the trimmings (£19.95); half a honey roast duck (14.95); traditional fish and chips with mushy peas and our own homemade beer batter (£12.95); the belted combo burger- 8oz steak burger, cheese, bacon, chicken burger & salad served with homemade chips and topped with onion rings (£13.95); hand battered sea salt & black pepper chicken (£12.95).

Desserts include sticky toffee pudding (£5.95); hot chocolate fudge cake (£5.95); peanut butter stack (£5.95); butter waffle topped with thunder and lightning ice cream (£5.95); ice cream (£2.95).

In their own words: ““We offer a warm, welcoming family friendly atmosphere, serving food food and drink.”