Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has actually been applauded for being lovely and approachable after he visited a Lake District pub.
The 53-year-old presenter stopped at The Old Crown bar in Hesket Newmarket for a pint of Hesket Real Ale and posed for a photo whilst there.
Manager Helen Mumberson said: “I welcomed him at the bar, I do believe Richard has a home in Buttermere and he came in with another gentleman who lives there.
” That gentleman he was with had actually been in a week earlier driving a classic automobile so I acknowledged him and said ‘how are you doing, its great to see you back’ and I turned and I saw Richard and stated ‘oh and Richard what can I get you!'”
Helen stated Richard bought a pint of Skiddaw, a timeless session bitter brewed in the Hesket Newmarket Brewery situated just behind the pub.
She included: “He was very pleasant, the pub wasn’t too busy at the time so he sat down, had a couple of drinks and then I went over and asked what the chances were of taking a picture of him with among our beers and he was definitely amenable.
” It wasn’t a problem at all and he sat down and nobody troubled him which was nice. Some lads were in later for drinks and obviously realised who he was and they had a chat about automobiles and motorcycles due to the fact that they were bicycle riders and the two fellas purchased them a pint each.
” Many people in the bar realised who he was but he wasn’t bothered by anyone so he was able to have a nice typical check out to a regular bar. But I do not think he would have minded if they did, he’s very easy going.”
The star remained at the club for around an hour total prior to leaving in a classic car which he has been spotted somewhere else in Cumbria driving.
Helen added: “I headed out a bit later to do an errand and Richard was turning his cars and truck around and doing a three point turn in the middle of the road and he sort of swung his cars and truck towards my vehicle and I screamed Richard beware, watch my car! and he laughed and I chuckled and that was it.
It was special for us due to the fact that typically in the Northern Lakes we do get people coming here, but we do not truly get individuals coming from television, but he did and obviously he has a home in Buttermere so he’s probably a routine down there
” He’s really friendly and typical but it was rather amazing, we are actually one of King Charles’ preferred pubs so hopefully it turns into one of Richard Hammond’s too!”
The star has been identified on numerous other events driving classic cars across the county and visiting various pubs and locations including the Kirkstile Inn in Loweswater and The Wild Duck in Workington.
The honorary Cumbrian also just recently called Buttermere his favourite place on earth in a video for his YouTube channel What’s Next, where he also validated that he has a home in the location.
Helen published a picture of Richard checking out the bar onto social media where fans were quick to share their favourable experiences of chatting with Richard across the county– with one specific stating he was a ‘leading lad in a leading pub.’
The Old Crown is the only pub in Hesket Newmarket and go back to the 18th century, it is also the first co-operatively owned pub in Britain and serves beers made on site together with standard pub food.
Helen added: “We had two gentleman who entered into the pub the other night that stated it was nice to come to a bar that’s a genuine bar, there’s nothing elegant about the Old Crown, whether you come in with wellies or you can be found in with slippers, everybody is welcome.”
A former British Military Officer, Eddie went on to study History and then Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University. A keen outdoorsman, he has co-written several books on Outdoor Survival and Wild Camping. Now living in Penrith, Ed is a keen fellrunner.
