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Summary of reviewsCross Keys Inn is praised as a charming and conveniently located stopover for travelers, particularly those journeying between Scotland and destinations further south along the M6. Set in a tranquil village, the inn offers picturesque surroundings and easy motorway access, making it an ideal choice for a restful break. Guests are greeted by friendly and hospitable staff who contribute to a warm, welcoming atmosphere, further enhancing their stay.
The inn stands out for its excellent food offerings, with many visitors highlighting the excellent quality of both breakfast and dinner. Breakfasts are particularly appreciated for their hearty and flavorful full English options, using locally sourced produce. The wood-fired pizzas and other dinner selections also receive high praise, noted for their taste and excellent presentation, contributing to an enjoyable dining experience. Both meals are considered good value for money.
Comfortable accommodations, including spacious chalet-style rooms, add to the appeal, with many guests commenting on the pleasant decor and homely environment. The cross keys inn is dog-friendly, allowing guests to enjoy their stay alongside their canine companions. Families also appreciate the clean and tidy settings, catering to travelers with children and pets alike.
While cleanliness has earned positive reviews overall, some areas of the inn are noted as needing attention, particularly the bathrooms, which do show signs of wear. Guests appreciate the comfortable beds, despite the building's historical quirks, which add to its charm.
Additional conveniences such as full phone reception mitigate the limited WiFi in some areas. Customarily, the inn provides a welcoming experience with comfortable lodgings, excellent food, and a team of dedicated staff, ensuring a delightful stay for guests and their pets. Show more
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Categories
Cheap Inn
This inn is a budget-friendly option providing essential amenities and a convenient location.
Dog Friendly Inn
Small Inn
Inn with Tennis Courts
Room Types
One-Bedroom ChaletThe chalet has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and free toiletries. This chalet features a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit has 2 beds.
Double Room with Private BathroomThe double room includes a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a tea and coffee maker.
Double Room with Private BathroomThe double room has a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hairdryer.
Double Room with Private BathroomThe double room has a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a tea and coffee maker.
Guest Reviews
7.3
Good
Location
Nestled just off the M6, Cross Keys Inn offers a superbly convenient location for travelers journeying between Scotland and destinations further south. The inn is situated in a peaceful, picturesque village with beautiful views, making it an ideal spot for a stopover. Its proximity to the motorway ensures easy access, making it particularly appealing for those seeking a restful night's sleep before continuing their travels.
The inn's charming setting is complemented by the friendliness of the staff, who offer a warm welcome and excel in hospitality. Guests appreciate the comfortable accommodations, including spacious chalet rooms, and the inn's willingness to cater to both human and canine companions.
Cross Keys Inn also stands out for its excellent food offerings, with homemade pizzas and local delicacies that add to the charm of this lovely location. Beyond its functionality as a convenient stopover, the inn invites guests to explore nearby local attractions, enjoy leisurely lake walks, and take in the serene country atmosphere.
Overall, Cross Keys Inn perfectly balances convenience with comfort, making it a favored choice for travelers seeking respite on their journeys along the M6.
Breakfast
The Cross Keys Inn has garnered consistent praise for its breakfast offerings, often highlighted as a memorable part of the guest experience. Travelers have noted the hearty and flavorful quality of the breakfasts, with many enjoying the full English options that are freshly prepared and delicious. The variety on offer includes both continental choices and satisfying cooked breakfasts, ensuring guests have a nourishing start to their day. The emphasis on using locally sourced produce from nearby farms is appreciated, resulting in meals that are both tasty and well-presented.
Guests particularly enjoyed the breakfast baps, full of bacon and sausage, and praised the pancakes with bacon and blueberries for their delightful taste. The breakfast is considered good value for money and provides a filling meal that even lasts throughout journeys home. While there are occasional remarks about areas for improvement, such as the lack of fruit juice or cereal, the overall impression is overwhelmingly positive. Service is noted as quick and accommodating, with breakfast served within a convenient morning timeframe.
Moreover, guests have highlighted not only the breakfasts but also the other meals served at the inn, indicating a consistently high quality of food throughout the day. The Cross Keys Inn's breakfast has often been referred to as the best part of the stay, adding to its reputation as a destination known for good food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Dinner
The Cross Keys Inn offers a cozy dining experience with a variety of delicious food that consistently receives praise from its guests. The limited dinner menu includes standout options such as the wood-fired pizzas, which are frequently highlighted for their exceptional taste. The quality of the food is often described as excellent, reflecting a high standard in both presentation and flavor. Visitors appreciate the beautifully crafted dishes, citing the peri peri chicken, steak, haddock, and roast dinners as particularly enjoyable choices. Even though some dishes occasionally sell out, diners generally find the meals to be satisfying and well-prepared, with both dinner and breakfast garnering positive remarks. The inn's staff contributes to the warm atmosphere, providing friendly service that complements the dining experience. Additionally, the reasonable pricing of the meals ensures good value for a delightful culinary adventure at the Cross Keys Inn.
Rooms
Cross Keys Inn offers a range of accommodations that cater to different preferences, with rooms generally praised for their spaciousness and comfort. Many guests have highlighted the pleasant decor and the homely feel of the rooms, with comfortable beds frequently mentioned as a positive aspect. Chalet-style lodging is a particular favorite due to its convenience, private entrance, and tranquil surroundings. The location of the inn is ideal for those traveling to Penrith, offering scenic views and easy access.
Families traveling with children appreciate the room layout near play areas and the overall clean and tidy environment. The inn also offers dog-friendly options, making it a convenient choice for pet owners.
However, some rooms suffer from dated interiors and minor maintenance issues, with bathrooms often described as small or needing renovation. Noise can be a concern for rooms situated above or near the bar, and cleanliness can vary, necessitating improvements in some cases. Overall, Cross Keys Inn provides a comfortable and accommodating stay with friendly staff and a convenient location, although attention to detail in upkeep could enhance the guest experience.
Beds
Nestled within the charming ambiance of the Cross Keys Inn, guests often find themselves embracing the unique character of this historical inn, particularly reflected in its accommodations. The beds, frequently praised for their comfort, contribute significantly to a restful stay. Although the quirkiness of the building's old-world charm means some beds are slightly tilted due to the sloping floors, this often adds to the authentic experience rather than detracting from it.
Many guests appreciate the beds' warmth and the additional option of a bed-settee if needed, ensuring flexibility and coziness for various preferences. The bedding and towels are noted as lovely, enhancing the overall comfort offered by the inn. While a few guests mention beds that could be slightly more comfortable or larger, the prevailing sentiment is one of satisfaction with the comfort provided during their stay.
The Cross Keys Inn's friendly staff and charming chalets are frequently highlighted alongside the comfort of the beds, creating a welcoming atmosphere where visitors feel well taken care of. Whether stopping overnight on a journey or enjoying the delightful pub food, guests find the accommodations and overall experience pleasing, with the comfortable beds being a significant factor in their positive reviews.
Cleanliness
Cross Keys Inn has garnered mixed reviews regarding its cleanliness, with several positive remarks highlighting its appealing aspects. Many guests have noted the property's cleanliness, describing rooms as clean, comfortable, and spotless. The inn's welcoming decor and dog-friendly environment have also been appreciated, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere. Visitors frequently praised the friendly and helpful staff, along with the quality of evening meals.
Despite these favorable comments, some concerns were raised about the accommodation's upkeep. Certain guests mentioned that rooms and facilities appeared outdated and were in need of attention, particularly the bathrooms. Issues such as stained sheets, dusty surfaces, and inadequate bathroom cleanliness were noted by several reviewers. Specific criticisms included broken fixtures, persistent odors, and dog hair, which detracted from an otherwise clean environment.
Overall, while Cross Keys Inn has been recognized for its cleanliness in many areas, there are notable disparities in maintenance standards, especially concerning the bathrooms.
Staff
At the Cross Keys Inn, guests can expect an exceptionally warm and welcoming experience, thanks largely to the consistently friendly and helpful staff. Visitors frequently comment on the staff's dedication to ensuring a comfortable stay, with many noting their willingness to accommodate various requests and answer any questions. The team at the inn is praised for their amiable nature, making guests feel at home and creating a convivial atmosphere that complements the inn's cozy pub setting. The staff's efficient service is highlighted by many, reflecting their commitment to guest satisfaction despite occasional busy conditions.
Moreover, the inn benefits from a great team that not only delivers excellent customer service but pairs it with fabulous food, earning positive remarks from patrons. Even when unexpected challenges arise, such as flooding, the staff's hard work and helpfulness are admired. While most reviews express delight at the friendliness and accommodation of the staff, isolated mentions suggest minor lapses in service efficiency. Overall, the Cross Keys Inn staff are celebrated for their friendliness, creating an inviting environment that makes guests feel genuinely welcome.
Wi-Fi
At the Cross Keys Inn, guests have found that the WiFi experience leaves something to be desired, particularly in the chalet and bedroom areas where connectivity issues are commonly reported. Despite attempts to provide a connection, many visitors note difficulties accessing the Internet from their rooms, citing non-existent or poor WiFi quality. However, it's worth mentioning that full phone reception is available, providing a reliable alternative for those needing to stay connected. This detail helps mitigate the inconvenience of the weak WiFi, ensuring that guests are not entirely without Internet access during their stay.
Dog Friendly
Cross Keys Inn stands out as an ideal destination for those traveling with their canine companions. With a distinctly dog-friendly atmosphere, guests and their dogs feel right at home, thanks to the warm welcome that includes treats for furry visitors. The convenience of accessible parking and the allowance for dogs to stay with guests offers peace of mind. Dogs are welcome throughout the establishment, including in the dining room, provided they are under control, creating a seamless experience for pet owners. The inn’s strategic location is perfect for travelers heading to and from Scotland, offering a cozy respite for both humans and dogs alike. Adventurous pups will also enjoy the foot paths located behind the pub. The staff is noted for their excellence in service, ensuring a pleasant stay for all guests. There's also an option for individual cabins that accommodate pets, enhancing the comfortable lodging experience. The inn charges a nominal extra fee for dog stays, which is a small price for such accommodating facilities. In addition to the impressive dog-friendly credentials, the inn offers cozy rooms, a lively pub with great cocktails, and delightful dining options like their renowned pizzas, making Cross Keys Inn a well-rounded choice for a pet-inclusive retreat.
No, Cross Keys Inn doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Cross Keys Inn.
Yes, Cross Keys Inn welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Cross Keys Inn.