Yorkshire's Best Country Pubs with Open Fires and Home-Cooked Food
The Fauconberg Arms
Coxwold, North Yorkshire YO61 4AD
01347 868214
www.fauconbergarms.com
This 17th century country inn is full of character – expect flagstone floors, wooden beams and cosy log fires, all coming together to create the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal as you while away a winter’s afternoon. They serve wholesome and classic country food, made with local ingredients, and the portion sizes aren’t too shabby either. Start with smoked mackerel fillet, with pickled beetroot and horseradish cream, before moving onto hearty game casserole served with herb dumplings.
Tan Hill Inn
Reeth, Richmond, Swaledale DL11 6ED
01833 628246
www.tanhillinn.com
The highest pub in the British Isles, the Tan Hill Inn is situated atop heather-clad moorland, in the midst of the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Popular with hillwalkers, there’s a roaring fire to welcome you in the cooler months, as well as a selection of real ales (many of which have been sourced locally) and delicious pub grub. Expect British classics like steak and ale pie to warm you through, or stick-to-your-ribs Swaledale shoulder of lamb. If you want to extend your visit, book a stay in one of the historic guest rooms.
The Pax Inn
Thorp Arch, Wetherby LS23 7AR
01937 843 183
www.paxinn.co.uk
A hidden gem that’s well worth seeking out, The Pax Inn is situated in the charming village of Thorp Arch. The menu offers a choice of light bites, like the homemade salt pork crackling, to more substantial dishes, like their pie of the day. There’s also pumps of real ale, including locally brewed specialities like Abbeydale beer. With a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Leeds.
The Flying Duck
16 Church Street, Ilkley LS29 9DS
01943 609587
www.flyingduck.org
Established by a group of community investors with a passion for the local area, The Flying Duck is one of the best real ale pubs in Ilkley. There’s an onsite brewery, where they produce the popular Wharfedale beer, and the food offerings are impressive too. The menu changes regularly in accordance with seasonality – expect hearty classics, like gammon, steak and chips with mushy peas and homemade tartare sauce. If you’re struggling to decide, we recommend opting for the Pie Flight, three mini pies, served with truffle mash, garden peas and gravy.
The Carpenter’s Arms
1 Church View, Felixkirk, Thirsk YO7 2DP
01845 537369
www.thecarpentersarmsfelixkirk.com
This award-winning local pub is full of charm and character. Opt for a table in the bar area, and enjoy a crackling fire to warm you up after a morning spent walking. They’re dog friendly too, so your four-legged friend can keep cosy with you. And when it comes to food, if it’s not local, you simply won’t find it on the menu (they feature a helpful ‘provenance guide’ next to all of their dishes, so you can see exactly where their ingredients come from). We love the sound of the baked Queenie scallops with a cheddar and gruyère crust.
The Green Dragon Inn
Hardraw, Hawes, Leyburn DL8 3LZ
01969 667392
www.thegreendragoninnhardraw.com
Does anything beat a traditional country pub? The Green Dragon Inn is perched in the idyllic village of Hardraw and dates back to the 13th century – it doesn’t get more ‘traditional country pub’ than that. They offer great value ales and generously portioned, home-cooked meals. Don’t miss their legendary Sunday roasts – locally-sourced meat and veg, and traditional Yorkshire puddings served with lashings of gravy, of course.
Craven Arms
Appletreewick, Skipton BD23 6DA
01756 720270
www.craventree-cruckbarn.co.uk
Looking for a pub with an incredible atmosphere? Then look no further, the Craven Arms has it in abundance. As you might expect, there are log fires, but it’s the traditional gas lighting and exposed oak beams that really set the mood. This 16th century pub has traditional features throughout – like the heather-thatched roof – with lots of cosy touches, making it the perfect place to gather when the weather’s turned wintry outside. Throw in the enviable selection of craft beer and we think you’re onto a winner.
The Timble Inn
Timble, North Yorkshire LS21 2NN
01943 880530
www.thetimbleinn.co.uk
Situated in the beautiful village of Timble in the Washburn Valley, The Timble Inn is an atmospheric Grade II-listed coaching inn, with foundations dating back to 1200AD. They boast two AA Rosettes, and serve a tempting variety of hearty dishes. We love the sound of the Ballantine of chicken, served with wild mushroom, red Emmalie potatoes, with chicken and sorrel broth. And you’ll be sure to find a tipple to suit in their well-stocked bar, including an impressive variety of real ales, many of which have been brewed locally.
The Airedale Heifer
Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley BD20 5LY
01274 515870
www.theairedaleheifer.co.uk
You’ll have no trouble finding the place, just keep an eye out for the large metal cow statue outside. Inside, you’ll find an excellent selection of local ales, including their own Bridgehouse Brewery Ales, which have become very popular. If you fancy a bite to eat, the menu offers all the classic pub-grub dishes, as well as a more contemporary selection. We fancy the Heifer Blooming Onion, a southern-fried flowering onion, served with a chilli and sour cream dip and Blacksticks Blue cheese on top.
The Blue Lion
Main Road, East Witton DL8 4SN
01969 624273
www.thebluelion.co.uk
Three-time winners of The Good Pub Guide’s ‘Dining Pub of the Year Award’, the team at The Blue Lion certainly know how to cook up sensational seasonal and local food, and the atmosphere isn’t bad either – think open log fires, traditional oak tables and chalkboard menus. A carefully selected list of unique guest ales completes the popular pub setting, and if you’re after a bite to eat, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Opt for something special, like the roast Braithwaite Moor partridge crown, served with confit leg bonbon, liquorice-infused blackberries and sweet potato, for a dinner you won’t forget.
The Bull at Broughton
Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 3AE
01756 792065
www.brunningandprice.co.uk/bull
After undergoing an extensive refurbishment, The Bull is reopening in December 2019 – marrying up the beautiful periodic features with fresh modern interiors to create a welcoming and cosy atmosphere. Expect open fires, flagstone floors, and homely furnishings, served up alongside an eclectic menu. The bar is the heart of things here, perfect for people watching as you enjoy a glass of something cold. And when you’re ready for a bite to eat, go for something cosy and comforting like the Lancashire hotpot with pickled red cabbage.
The Buck Inn
South View, Maunby, Thirsk YO7 4HD
01845 587777
www.thebuckinnmaunby.co.uk
This friendly and welcoming pub is located in the picturesque village of Maunby, and you can expect the traditional log burners, open fires and exposed beams, but there’s also a few quirky features to enjoy. Describing themselves as ‘the perfect Sunday lunch pub’, the menu here is eclectic and ever-changing, to keep up with seasonality and to reflect the local produce that’s available. The drinks menu won’t fail to impress either. We love the cask ale offering, many of which have been brewed locally.
Robin Hood Inn
Cragg Road, Hebden Bridge HX7 5SE
01422 885899
www.facebook.com/the-robin-hood-cragg-vale
This traditional Yorkshire pub has been in business since 1800, keeping locals and visitors well fed and watered with a cracking selection of drinks and a menu that keeps the crowds coming back for more. Grab a seat by the Victorian fireplace and warm up before tucking into specials like the three meat and stilton pie. Be sure to save some room for dessert, with treats like orange and lemon bread and butter pudding, it’s not to be missed.
The Lister Arms
Malham, Skipton BD23 4DB
01729 830444
www.listerarms.co.uk
Situated in the stunning village of Malham (a favourite with Yorkshire 3 Peakers), the Lister Arms is the perfect place to cosy up and while away the afternoon. They have roaring fires inside and hearty helpings of deliciously warming food. Whilst the main restaurant isn’t dog-friendly, if you eat in the bar your four-legged friend can join you. We love the impressive gin collection – there’s no better way to reward yourself after a day out on the Dales.
