The People
David and Liz Newham
A long held dream to start their own microbrewery became a reality for David and Liz Newham when, together with their partners David and Gill Frost, they launched Cumbrian Legendary Ales in June 2006... [more about the people]
Why Legendary
Deciding on a name for the Company and the beers it produces was the easy bit. Cumbria’s history provides a wealth of fascinating folklore, with local myths and legends around every corner, and it seemed only natural to bring some of these legends to life by creating a range of quality real ales that not only taste good, but also tell a colourful tale... [more about Why we are Legendary]
Location
Esthwaite Old Hall and Esthwaite Hall farmstead.
Finding a suitable location for the microbrewery was a little more difficult, but proved well worth the effort and patience.
At the end of 2005, after many weeks of searching for an appropriate building in every nook and cranny around where they lived, David and Liz discovered a group of traditional barns at Esthwaite Old Hall on the Graythwaite Estate near Hawkshead in the Cumbrian Lake District. They knew immediately that they had found a home for their brewery.
In May 2006, following a complete renovation programme, Old Hall Brewery became a reality and moved into one of these traditionally restored barns, situated in a truly magical position on the shores of Esthwaite Water amidst breathtaking scenery... [more about the location]
History
The history of the barn complex that houses Old Hall Brewery starts in the mid 1500’s. It was then that Edwin Sandys built a cruck barn in the grounds of Esthwaite Old Hall where he was born in 1519. Edwin later rose to power and prominence, firstly as Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University and later as the Archbishop of York. His marriage to Cicely Wilford produced six sons and two daughters – and so began the line that descends directly to Myles Sandys, the present owner of the Graythwaite Estate, and landlord to Cumbrian Legendary Ales... [more about the history]