Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has been praised for being lovely and approachable after he paid a visit to a Lake District pub.
The 53-year-old presenter stopped at The Old Crown pub in Hesket Newmarket for a pint of Hesket Real Ale and posed for a photo whilst there.
Pub tenant Helen Mumberson said: “I greeted him at the bar, I do believe Richard has a property in Buttermere and he came in with another gentleman who lives there.
“That gentleman he was with had come in a week earlier driving a classic car so I recognised him and said ‘how are you doing, its nice to see you back’ and I turned and I saw Richard and said ‘oh and Richard what can I get you!’”
Helen said Richard ordered a pint of Skiddaw, a classic session bitter brewed in the Hesket Newmarket Brewery located just behind pub.
She added: “He was really pleasant, the pub wasn’t too busy at the time so he sat down, had a couple of drinks and had a crack and then I went over and asked what the chances were of taking a photo of him with one of our beers and he was absolutely obliging.
“It wasn’t a problem at all and he sat down and nobody bothered him which was nice. Some lads came in later for drinks and obviously realised who he was and they had a chat about cars and motorbikes because they were bikers and the two fellas bought them a pint each.
“Most people in the pub realised who he was but he wasn’t bothered by anyone so he was able to have a nice normal visit to a normal pub. But I don’t think he would have minded if they did, he’s very easy going.”
The star stayed at the pub for around an hour overall before he left in a classic car which he has been spotted elsewhere in Cumbria driving.
Helen added: “I went out a bit later to do an errand and Richard was turning his car around and doing a three point turn in the middle of the road and he sort of swung his car towards my car and I shouted Richard be careful, watch my car! and he laughed and I laughed and that was it.
“It was special for us because normally in the Northern Lakes we do get people coming here, but we don’t really get people coming from TV, but he did and obviously he has a home in Buttermere so he’s probably a regular down there
“He’s very approachable and normal but it was quite exciting, we are actually one of Prince Charles’ favourite pubs so hopefully it becomes one of Richard Hammond’s too!”
The star has been spotted on several other occasions driving vintage cars across the county and visiting various pubs and places including the Kirkstile Inn in Loweswater and The Wild Duck in Workington.
Helen posted a picture of Richard visiting the pub onto social media where fans were quick to share their positive experiences of chatting with Richard across the county – with one individual saying he was a ‘top lad in a top pub.’
The Old Crown is the only pub in Hesket Newmarket and dates back to the 18th century, it is also the first co-operatively owned pub in Britain and serves beers made on site alongside traditional pub food.
Helen added: “We had two gentleman who came into the pub the other night that said it was nice to come to a pub that’s a real pub, there’s nothing fancy about the Old Crown, whether you come in with wellies or you come in with slippers, everyone is welcome.”
