Cockermouth YHA hostel is great, beautiful, and very cycle friendly! Great hostel, warden is a keen cyclist and has lots of information and tools to loan, the mill stones still exist in the mill cellar (also the bike store). Cockermouth is also the home of Jennings beer, very nice!

am due to stay at Cockermouth YHA in a couple of weeks' time. Hear the warden was involved in an accident recently and is not working there at the moment. Does anyone know whether you can get meals/breakfast there or whether it is entirely self-catering? - if so are there any tips for cafes/places to eat in Cockermouth?
thanks

I was at Cockermouth Yha, couple of year ago and I self-catered. According to yha web-site, there do meals. I would email the hostel on cockermouth@yha.org.uk

Cockermouth is a fairly big town, I think there will be plenty of cafes and Fish & Chip Shops. I did my shopping in Aldi, just up the road from hostel and cheap too.

This list is off the C2C web-site.
eating places
Alfies Cafe - 1 Old King’s Arms Lane, Cockermouth tel: 01900 822256
At the end of Old King’s Arms lane and makes an ideal place for cyclists to leave their bikes if they want a hot drink or a snack.
Quince and Medlar - 13, Castlegate, Cockermouth Tel: 01900 823579
A licensed, non-smoking vegetarian restaurant. Twice winner of The Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year and comes highly recommended.
The Squirell's Pantry - Lamplugh Road, Cockermouth tel:01900-822180 A short diversion from the route takes you to this Victorian Tea Rooms where you can get a bite to eat, refill your water bottles and watch Red Squirrels at play. Recommended by J. Hughes

hey, thanks for your reply - very helpful.

Hi all,

I'm from Cockermouth so can tell you all about it (also, having done the C2C can tell you how it bears up comparably):

Cockermouth is a fairly large town. The YHA is in a fantastic position should you be visiting in the summer as it is right next to the river where locals congregate to swim - there is some low ledges to jump off etc. Great fun. Or if thats not your thing there is a small pebble 'beach' where you can sit and enjoy the surroundings.

In terms of eating: as i say its fairly large, there is numerous restaurants and cafes. If anyone wants particular recommendations such as for price or type of food drop me a line.
There is an aldi, sainsburys and a small co-op in the town.

You will enjoy your time here, compared to other locations on the C2C there is lots to do, loads of pubs, places to wander, shops etc.

Any questions feel free to drop them my way.