The Hest Bank

30/10/2026

🍻 History, quality and community spirit all under one roof.

A huge congratulations to The Sportsman Inn in Carlisle on being crowned City Pub of the Year by Solway CAMRA.

For centuries, The Sportsman has been at the heart of Carlisle's pub scene, and today it continues to set the standard. From perfectly kept cask ales and delicious home-cooked food to the warm welcome that greets every customer, the team consistently delivers the kind of experience that keeps people coming back.

Its reputation speaks for itself. Alongside previous honours such as Winter Pub of the Season, The Sportsman has earned regular recognition in the CAMRA Good B**r Guide and remains one of the city's most loved traditional pubs.

This latest award celebrates the passion, hard work and dedication of the entire team, who continue to preserve the pub's rich heritage while making it a thriving destination for b**r lovers and the local community alike.

👏 Congratulations to our Publican, Amanda Picken, and everyone at The Sportsman Inn on another fantastic achievement.

29/10/2026

❤️ DON’T FORGET, GEORGE & JOSH’S LEAVING PARTY! 🍻

Just a little reminder that this Saturday 31st October, from 7:30pm, we’ll be having our leaving party at The Hest Bank!

With our time at the pub coming to an end, we want to make the most of our final weekend and spend one last proper night with the people who have made our time here so special.

There have been plenty of laughs, unforgettable memories and friendships made along the way, and we’d love nothing more than to have you all there to celebrate with us.

Expect plenty of laughs, a few drinks, lots of memories and probably a few emotional moments too! ❤️

Whether you’re a regular, an old friend or someone who’s supported us along the way, everyone is welcome!

We might be leaving the pub, but we’ll never forget the people who made it feel like home.

Let’s make one last night together a night to remember! ❤️

George & Josh

28/10/2026

🧠 OUR LAST QUIZ NIGHT AT THE HEST BANK! 💔

Tonight is going to be a bit of an emotional one for us

After all the Wednesday nights, laughs, questionable answers and brilliant teams, tonight will be our very last Quiz Night before Josh and I leave The Hest Bank next week.

We’ve had some fantastic nights over the past almost 2 years, and it’s the people who have made them so special.

So tonight, we’d love to see as many of you as possible for one final quiz night together and don’t forget the snowball must be won tonight!!

Whether you’ve been coming every Wednesday or fancy joining us for the first time, we’d love to have you there.

Let’s fill the pub, have a laugh, test our knowledge and make our final quiz night one to remember.

It’s going to be strange saying goodbye to something that’s become such a big part of our Wednesday evenings.

Thank you for all the memories, let’s make one more tonight. ❤️

George, Josh and the team
The Hest Bank

27/10/2026

WOW 🔥

This has been such an honour to be a part of!

Huge thanks to Coca-Cola for championing community leaders around the UK and for picking our very own Simon Dafforn-jones as Local Royalty!

It was a privilege to have portrait artist to royalty, Jamie Coreth, capture Simon in his natural habitat, the FBI.

Read more here 👇🏼

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/pub-landlord-given-royal-treatment-37812329

26/10/2026

Unfortunately, this evening we have had to deal with an individual displaying abusive and threatening behaviour towards both our staff and customers.

We don’t usually feel the need to make posts like this, but tonight we feel it’s important to make something very clear.

Abuse, intimidation and threatening behaviour towards anyone at The Hest Bank is completely unacceptable and will NOT be tolerated.

We know that Josh and I only have a week left here, but our staff and customers are still, and always will be, our number one priority right up until our very last day.

Our team deserve to come to work feeling safe and respected, and our customers deserve to enjoy their local pub without feeling uncomfortable, intimidated or threatened.

We’ve put our hearts into The Hest Bank, and although our time here is coming to an end, our responsibility to look after the people who have supported us doesn’t end until we walk out of those doors for the final time.

We will always stand up for our team and our customers, no matter how much time we have left.

Respect costs nothing. Nobody should ever feel unsafe in their local pub.

George, Josh and the team
The Hest Bank

25/10/2026

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE – THE HEST BANK CLOSED TODAY

Unfortunately, due to damage caused by the storm, we have had to make the difficult decision to close The Hest Bank today.

This is completely out of our control, and we’re absolutely gutted to have to close our doors, especially on a Sunday.

However, the safety of our customers and staff must always come first, and unfortunately, we have no other option at this time.

We sincerely apologise to everyone who was planning to visit us today, particularly those looking forward to their Sunday lunch.

We’re working to get things sorted as quickly as possible and will keep everyone updated.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support. It really does mean a lot to us. ❤️

George, Josh & The Hest Bank Team

22/10/2026

✨ Christmas is coming… and so are the celebrations. ✨

Our festive two and three course menu is available from the 18th November along with our Christmas Day three-course menu. So whether you're looking to get the big day booked in or a festive celebration with friends in December, we've got you covered for all occasions🎄

To see the full menu and book your table with us, use the link below to visit our website, we can't wait to have you for the festive season!
https://www.hestbankinn.co.uk/event/christmas/

20/10/2026

At Punch, we're proud to see young talent thrive across our pubs and support teams. From first jobs to leadership roles, remains one of the UK's greatest industries for developing skills, building confidence and creating rewarding careers.

That's why we're backing a hospitality-wide call to Government ahead of the Budget, championing the sector's ability to create jobs and opportunities for young people.

Hear Harry Bourne's story and why he's proud to support this message.

07/10/2026

Britain’s pubs are worth up to £30 billion in wellbeing value to communities across the UK. But rising costs and high taxes are putting pressure on pubs that bring people together.

This Week of Action, join the campaign today and tell your MP to keep pubs open and pints affordable.

https://www.longlivethelocal.pub/letter 🍍

03/10/2026

GEORGE & JOSH’S LEAVING PARTY

As some of you already know, unfortunately Josh and I will be leaving The Hest Bank on 4th November. Which wasn’t our decision, and saying goodbye to the pub, our team, our regulars and this amazing community is going to be incredibly difficult.

But before we go, we want to have one last proper night together! 🍻

So on Saturday 31st October from 7pm, we’ll be having our Leaving Party at The Hest Bank, and we’d absolutely love for you all to join us.

We’ve made some brilliant memories here, met some incredible people and made friendships that we’ll take with us long after we leave.

So let’s fill the pub, raise a glass, have a laugh and make one more night to remember before our time at The Hest Bank comes to an end.

We want to spend the night with the people who have supported us, laughed with us, drank with us and made our time at The Hest Bank something we’ll never forget.

We might be leaving the pub, but the friendships and memories we’ve made here are coming with us.❤️💜

Josh & George 💜

29/09/2026

❤️ IT’S OKAY TO TALK — MENTAL HEALTH WEEK AT THE HEST BANK

From 12th–16th October, we’ll be dedicating a week at The Hest Bank to something incredibly important to both of us — mental health.

For Josh, it’s personal. A few weeks ago, he lost a friend to su***de, having also lost his grandad in the same way nearly ten years ago.

For George, it’s personal too. He has experienced some incredibly difficult struggles with his own mental health and knows first-hand how hard those battles can be.

Different experiences, but one message we both strongly believe in:

Nobody should feel they have to struggle in silence.

Josh wrote the song attached to this post, “It’s Okay to Talk,” about mental health and the importance of speaking up. Its message means more to us now than ever.

“It’s okay to talk.
You don’t have to be strong.”

Throughout the week, we want to bring our community together to talk, listen, connect and look out for each other, while raising money for mental health and su***de-prevention charities.

We know five days won’t change everything.

But one conversation might.

Please listen to the song, share the message and, most importantly, check in on the people around you.

❤️ IT’S OKAY TO TALK.

📅 12th–16th October 2026
📍 The Hest Bank

More details coming soon.

27/09/2026

🍽️ LET US SORT SUNDAY LUNCH!

No peeling potatoes, no cooking and, best of all, no mountain of washing up afterwards!

Spend your Sunday the right way at The Hest Bank with one of our hearty Sunday roasts. Choose from Roast Beef, Chicken Supreme or Pork Loin, with our Mushroom Bourguignon Pie available as a vegetarian option.

Served with all the favourites — golden roast potatoes, seasonal veg, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing and lashings of rich gravy.

Round up the family, bring your friends and settle in for good food, a few drinks and a relaxed Sunday with us.

26/09/2026

Don't forget Rock and Roll Bingo tonight! 8pm £2.50 a bingo card which include 2 games per card!

🎵 ROCK & ROLL BINGO AT THE HEST BANK! 🎵

Forget numbers… this is bingo with a musical twist!

Join us on Saturday 26th September for our Rock & Roll Music Bingo. Listen out for the songs, match them to your bingo card and see if you can be the first to shout BINGO!

📅 Saturday 26th September
⏰ Starts at 8pm
💷 £2.50 per bingo card
👥 Teams of up to 6

Expect plenty of great tunes, friendly competition and a few singalongs along the way!

Get your team together, grab a drink and see just how good your music knowledge really is.

Who’s joining us? Tag your Music Bingo team below! 👇

Josh, George and the team
The Hest Bank

25/09/2026

Actress Daisy Edgar-Jones filmed 🎥 a promo for her new film, Sense and Sensibility in our Canonbury pub, The Marquess Tavern for Vogue 🥰

The team at Vogue were searching for a shooting location that oozes class, was timeless and in-keeping with the theme of the movie... so where else were they going to film?! 😏

Take a look at the promo - Daisy is in character as Elinor Dashwood throughout!

Sense and Sensibility hits cinemas TODAY! 🎬Why not pop into The Marquess Tavern to wash down your popcorn! 🍿🍷

!

24/09/2026

💔 A MESSAGE FROM GEORGE & JOSH

This is probably one of the hardest posts we’ve ever had to write.

Unfortunately, four weeks from today, Josh and I will be leaving The Hest Bank. This unfortunately wasn’t our decision, and it’s something we’re both absolutely heartbroken about.

The Hest Bank hasn’t just been our place of work, it’s been our home and a huge part of our lives. To know that in just four weeks we’ll be saying goodbye to both the pub and our home is incredibly difficult to come to terms with.

Over the last nearly 2 years, we’ve put so much time, energy and heart into trying to make The Hest Bank the best it can be. We’ve introduced new events, tried new ideas, supported the local community and worked hard to create a welcoming place where people can come together.

Of course, there have been challenges along the way and things haven’t always been perfect, but we can genuinely say that we gave it everything we had.

What makes this especially difficult is the people. We’ve met some amazing customers, made genuine friendships and become part of a community that has supported us throughout our time here. That is something we will never forget.

We want to say a massive thank you to our team, our regulars, our customers and everyone in the local community who has supported us. Your kindness and support have meant more than you probably realise.

We’re not gone just yet, though. We still have four weeks together, and we intend to make the most of them. We’d love to see as many of you as possible before it’s time for us to say goodbye.

Thank you for everything. ❤️😭💔

George & Josh

22/09/2026

We're on board, are you?

Join thousands backing Britain's pubs and breweries.

www.longlivethelocal.pub ❤️🍺

21/09/2026

This pub is a gem! 💎

The Wig & Mitre in Lincoln's Cathedral Quarter has reopened following a £100k investment. ⛪

Anne-Marie and Paul Balcomb have taken on the 14th century pub... "We’re thrilled to take control of such an iconic pub and can’t wait to meet all of our wonderful guests" ❤️

📷 Courtesy of Tory McTernan

17/09/2026

Welcome to The Buck Inn 🦌

New Management Partner Adrian McShane-Chapman has taken over the Thornton-le-Dale pub following a whopping £490k investment 🤑

🗨️ “I arrived in the UK 22 years ago from Australia, armed with just a backpack and no real plan... I’ve dipped in and out of hospitality over that time but the fire inside me to run my own pub burned bright.” - Adrian

If you're in Yorkshire, pay Adrian and his team a visit and check out this stunning pub for yourselves. 🤩

15/09/2026

Rory takes the keys to the refurbished Cross Keys pub in Nottingham! 🗝️

Our new Management Partner Rory Calladine has taken the reins at the popular city centre pub following a £100,000 investment.

🗨️"I was instantly drawn to the pub and as soon I discovered it was available in a partnership with Punch, I jumped at the chance." 🍍

Regular guests at The Cross Keys will instantly notice the pub’s traditional feel and special characteristics have been retained throughout but that a complete refresh has taken place. 💫

11/09/2026

We have reopened the Keyworth Tavern following a quarter-of-a-million refurbishment 🔥

The Keyworth pub in Nottingham, run by our Management Partner John Francis, had been closed for 5 weeks while we tore out the bar, stripped the pub back and replaced everything with new, modern furnishings. 🤩

Great work by everyone involved in the transformation 🥂

03/09/2026

We're quite fond of it too, Prime Minister! The Dog House

28/08/2026

Our Publican Beth at The Beeswing Inn 2013 has raised circa £250K for charity 😍 so if you're in the area this weekend, pop in and enjoy the music, food and drink!

Well done Beth!! 🥳

The Beeswing in East Cowton is hosting its 13th ‘Glastonbury’ festival to raise money for end of life care at a nearby hospital.

27/08/2026

Newly married couple Gareth and Jamie Furness have take the over The Bay Horse Inn in Pickering. 🔔

The pub has received a £400,000 investment and Gareth says it has been very well received by locals. 😃

“We are seeing more locals returning to the pub, faces that haven't been seen here for many years and we are seeing them on a regular basis... The refurb has really put The Bay Horse Inn back on the map and firmly at the heart of the Pickering community.” ❤️

Well done to everyone involved in this brilliant transformation 👏