LocALE - Supporting Local Breweries
As part of our LocALE campaign to promote pubs selling locally brewed beers, each quarter our newsletter Alesman puts the spotlight onto two of the participants. The spotlight articles are re-printed below, the most recent first. Articles by Colleen Holiday.
For a full list of LocAle outlets, click here.
Winter 2011
As we arrive at another holiday season, this edition of LocAle spotlight will focus on two hostelries that will offer visitors good service and seasonal goodwill. The first is a vibrant town centre pub in Skipton, the well-known “Gateway to the Dales“ and the second a traditional country public house situated in a quiet village in the Aire Valley.
The Woolly Sheep, Skipton
Derived from the Saxon word for sheep, Skipton is a country market town situated in the Pennines at the southern end of the Yorkshire Dales. With a 16,000 strong population, the town has a long history and boasts cobbled streets, a medieval castle and the famous Leeds to Liverpool canal. An outdoor market takes place four times a week making Skipton a busy tourist destination; it also boasts a number of good pubs.
Situated in the centre of the town and running parallel with the High Street is Sheep Street, known by some as the most haunted street in Skipton. At number 38 you‘ll find the Woolly Sheep. Formerly owned by Whitbread and called the Brick Hall, nowadays the “Woolly” is a Timothy Taylor Brewery managed house. The whitewashed frontage leads to a long narrow pub. There‘s a small front room with comfy chairs and an open fire. The main bar runs along the wall leading you to a good-sized dining area at the back as well as a covered outdoor drinking area. Many believe that the Woolly Sheep is also haunted with a resident ghost in a long flowing dress having been seen over the years.
Ghost or not, there‘s always a lively, bustling atmosphere at the “Woolly”. Friendly, efficient service from the staff makes for a pleasant visit. LocAle beers are from Timothy Taylor and include Dark Mild, Golden Best, Best Bitter, Ram Tam and Landlord. There‘s an extra hand pump for guest beers which are usually sourced from local breweries. Traditional cider or perry is also sometimes available. Freshly prepared food using locally sourced ingredients is on offer daily and accommodation comes in the form of nine en-suite rooms. Bookings for accommodation and dining reservations can be made on-line through the pub‘s website. Why not make a day of it in Skipton and ensure that you make your way to the “Woolly” to enjoy a few pints and maybe have a chat with the pub ghost!
Skipton railway station is a ten minute walk away and the bus station a few minutes from the pub. For information on the numerous bus services to and from Skipton visit: http://www.northyorkstravel.info
The Woolly Sheep, 38 Sheep Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1HY Telephone: 01756 700966 Open: Mon-Wed 10.00-23.00, Thu 10.00-00.00, Fri-Sat 10.00-01.00 and Sun 12.00 23.00. Website: http://www.woollysheepinn.co.uk
The White Lion, Kildwick
Travel just a few miles along the A650 towards Keighley and you‘ll find a peaceful village in the Aire valley. Kildwick is home to a 1000 year old church, St Andrew‘s, two well-known waterways: the Leeds to Liverpool canal and the River Aire and one of the oldest stone bridges in the North of England. Travel across that bridge and you‘ll find the imposing stone structure of the White Lion public house.
Perched on an incline overlooking the valley, the White Lion is ably run by Suzie and Dave. You‘ll be warmly greeted at the bar, which offers LocAle beers Copper Dragon Golden Pippin and Timothy Taylor Landlord. Tetley Bitter is also available. A haven for locals as well as a destination for those seeking good pub grub, the White Lion is multi-roomed with a pleasant bar-come-dining area, as well as larger drinking room with a television for sporting events. Food is available for lunch and dinner and theme nights are popular. Tuesday is Pie Night, Wednesday Curry, Thursday Steak and Friday Fish night. En-suite bedrooms are available and a function room with private bar is offered for hire. There‘s a large garden with excellent views of the Aire valley and a parking area for those driving. The White Lion is a friendly pub with well-kept real ale. Take some time out to drop in and enjoy the hospitality.
Bus services 66, 66A and 78A pass on the main road. For times and further information visit: Transdev Keighley and District
The White Lion, Priest Bank Road, Kildwick, Nr Keighley, North Yorkshire, BD20 9BH Telephone: 01535 632265. Opening hours: Mon-Wed 12-11, Thu –Sat 12- midnight and Sun 12-10.30. Web-site: http://www.thewhitelionkildwick.co.uk
Autumn 2011
This issue of LocAle spotlight finds us in a traditional local in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and a community pub in an Aire Valley village.
The Foresters Arms, Grassington
Grassington is a small town nestled next to the river Wharfe amidst the spectacular scenery of Upper Wharfedale, North Yorkshire. The surrounding area is rich in archaeology dating back to the year 2000 BC. As early as the 7th century arable land was being worked by locals and by the 15th century lead mining had become established. The arrival of the Duke of Devonshire in the 1700s saw the beginning of a great development in the infrastructure of local roads and housing. By the 1870s, the lead mining industry was in decline but tourism had became popular and with the arrival of the railway in 1902, commuters from Bradford began to move in boosting the population and local economy.
Nowadays, Grassington is a town of 1,100 souls which thrives upon the tourist industry of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. There are numerous shops, restaurants and pubs in the town. The Foresters Arms is situated a short walk up the hill from the famous cobbled town square and the sturdy stone-built former coaching inn is a favourite of locals and visitors alike. Phil, Rita and team run the pub which boasts a long single bar which stocks LocAle beers Black Sheep Bitter, Black Sheep Riggwelter and Timothy Taylor Landlord. There are also two hand-pumps with changing guest beers and two more with Tetley Mild and Tetley Bitter.
The main bar area has a pool table and television for sporting events. Cyclists and walkers are welcomed as are well-behaved dogs. Food is served daily and there‘s a separate restaurant which can hold up to 28 people for parties and functions. Accommodation is available with seven rooms offering B&B. Quiz evenings are very popular.
Public transport is available Monday to Saturday via Pride of the Dales 72/74 bus services and Sunday and Bank Holidays in summer using the Transdev Burnley and Pendle 872 service. If you drive, parking can be limited in the town, so use the national park car park just down the road. A visit to Grassington is always enjoyable so make sure you visit the Foresters Arms the next time you go there.
The Foresters Arms, 20 Main Street, Grassington, North Yorkshire, BD23 5AA Telephone: 01756 752349. Website: www.forestersarmsgrassington.co.uk
The Busfeild Arms, East Morton
In the Aire Valley of West Yorkshire, the small village of East Morton is situated between Bingley and Keighley just up the hill from the B6265. It is another of the local villages mentioned in the Domesday Book and the parish of Morton was created by an act of parliament in the year 1846. A well-known local family named Busfeild lived here during the 19th century and the local pub is named after them.
The Busfeild Arms is situated on the main road through East Morton and is an imposing stone structure. The pub is welcoming with numerous flower displays, a pleasant beer garden, a good-sized car park and a seated outside drinking and smoking area. Inside it is divided into a public bar to the right and a well-appointed restaurant to the left. The public bar is bright and airy with photos of days gone by, wooden beams, a flagstone floor with the regular tables and chairs supplemented by large barrels with stools around them. A cast-iron multi-fuel stove is nestled in the fireplace.
Upon entry you will be greeted with a friendly hello and quick service. The Busfeild is a free house offering LocAle beers Saltaire Blonde and Timothy Taylor Landlord as well as a changing guest beer. Tetley Bitter is also available.
The Busfeild Arms is a well-run, clean, tidy hostelry and its location in the middle of the village makes it an ideal community pub. It‘s a pub which offers a place to meet and have a chat, hold a group event or to just pop in for a quick pint or two. Popular with locals, food forms a large part of its trade. A special Early Bird menu offers meals from £6.95 Tuesday to Friday 5.30pm to 6.45pm in the restaurant. Weekends are busy and Sunday lunch very popular.
Public transport is via Keighley to Cullingworth 727 and 729 bus services which run throughout the day Monday to Saturday. For more information visit: Transdev Keighley and District
The Busfeild Arms, an important part of everyday life in the village. Support your local community pub today!
The Busfeild Arms, Main Road, East Morton, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 5SP Telephone: 01274 550931
Spring 2011
In this issue, Colleen reviewed the Locale scheme and shone the spotlight onto the three Locale pubs that were voted branch Pub of the Year for 2008, 2009 and 2010. Click here to read that full article. Spotlights are already shown below for two of the pubs: The Brown Cow, Keighley and the Old White Bear, Cross Hills. A slightly edited version of the third Pub of the Year spotlight follows..
The Maypole, Long Preston
Located between the market towns of Skipton and Settle, the Maypole Inn lies in the village of Long Preston. This three hundred year old stone building was opened to the public by its first landlord Ambrose Wigglesworth in 1695. Built in the middle of the village next to the green with its maypole of course, the pub sits along the A65 in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. A vibrant community inn run by Robert, Elspeth and Rosie, it boasts a comfortable lounge and public bar with warming open fires and a well-appointed restaurant. Robert and Elspeth are as far as we know, the longest serving licensees in the Keighley and Craven branch area which covers well over 200 public houses and the Maypole has been listed in most of CAMRA‘s Good Beer Guides since 1986. The central bar serves local beers Timothy Taylor Landlord, Moorhouses Premier, and two changing guest beers, most of which qualify as LocALe beers being from nearby breweries. Traditional ciders are also available - these are fetched from the cellar. Bed and breakfast is offered via six letting rooms and home made food is served lunchtime and evenings. Darts, dominos and various pub games are popular with locals and there‘s a comfortable outside drinking area. Pennine bus services run past the pub and the Long Preston railway station is a few minutes walk away.
The Maypole Inn, Long Preston, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 4PH Telephone: 01729 840219 Web-site: http://www.maypole.co.uk Opening Hours: 11am-11pm Monday to Friday , 11am -12pm Saturday , 12noon-11pm Sunday.
Winter 2010
In this issue, a pleasant country inn in North Yorkshire and a traditional white-washed pub in the Aire Valley are in focus for LocAle Spotlight.
The Clarendon, Hebden
Hebden is a rural community on the B6265 in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and sits in a sheltered valley 500 feet above sea-level. During medieval times this east-west droving route was used to move sheep between summer and winter pastures, as well as being a busy route for packhorse traders. In the 19th century it was a substantial industrial centre for lead mining and cotton milling. Today, Hebden is a designated conservation area and a peaceful village with a shop, tea room and most importantly, a pub, well supported by locals and frequented by visitors enjoying the beautiful moorland and high fells of Upper Wharfedale.
Originally a farmhouse, during the 18th century the Clarendon Hotel was a coaching inn on the busy Skipton to Harrogate route. Today it is a welcoming single-bar free house with a partitioned “snug” area to the right and a cosy restaurant area to the left. LocAle beers on offer are Black Sheep Ale and Timothy Taylor Best Bitter. Tetley Bitter and a house beer, Clarendon Ale which is brewed by Cuerden Brewery, are also available. Run by Hayley and Ashley Crampton, the Clarendon puts great emphasis on food: steak and fish nights feature and special curries and pizzas are on the main menu. Accommodation is available in the form of en-suite rooms for those wishing to stay on and enjoy the local scenery. Quizzes are held on the third Sunday of the month and there‘s a dart board for those wishing to test their skill. The pub offers a welcome and enjoyable stop whilst travelling through a beautiful part of the Yorkshire Dales.
Hebden is easily accessible by car and only 2 miles from Grassington with a large car park opposite the pub. Public transport is by bus 74 from Ilkley or 72/72R from Skipton. Visit Pride of the Dales for more information. Opening times are Monday to Friday 10:30 to 3:00 and 5:30 to 11:00 with all day opening on Saturday and Sunday.
The Clarendon Hotel, Hebden, Grassington, North Yorkshire BD23 5DE. Telephone 01756 752446 or e-mail: info@theclarendonhotel.co.uk
The Slaters Arms, Bradley
Between Skipton and Keighley and just off the A629 is a village collectively known as Bradleys Both. Divided into High Bradley and Low Bradley, the village is situated in North Yorkshire but with West Yorkshire postal and dialling codes. The Leeds to Liverpool canal passes through with the Bradley section having been completed in 1775 and including a swing bridge and coal wharf. Quarrying provided slate and stone for building materials but during this time most villagers worked as wool combers and weavers in their own homes. By the 1860s spinning and weaving mills provided most local employment. Today Bradley is a pleasant village within commuting range of Leeds and beyond.
The Slaters Arms is a pretty white-washed pub sitting on an elevated part of Bradley overlooking the Aire Valley. Trading as a public house from 1858, it was with Samuel Webster until the brewery closed in the 1990s. Still sporting the Webster’s livery, it is a well-run hostelry with a single bar surrounded by oak beams, an amazing open fireplace as well as huge a collection of brass, water jugs and even a collection of old telephones. A traditional and welcoming pub awaits those entering. The bar offers LocAle beer Timothy Taylor Golden Best alongside Tetley Bitter as well as a changing guest beer. There is a good-sized car park to the rear and a well laid out garden/patio providing an excellent vista of the valley. Phil and Rosemary Cook are mine hosts and support a team in the local dominos league as well as providing a home to the Bradley Cricket Club. There is a popular monthly quiz. The Slater’s is well known for its food using locally sourced seasonal ingredients and changing weekly specials which run from Saturday to Friday. The pub is a sea of tranquillity in the increasingly busy world and there is evidence of great local support whenever you visit.
Bradley can be directly accessed by bus 78A or can be walked to from the A629 where the 66 or 66A Keighley to Skipton service runs. For more information visit: Transdev Keighley and District. Opening times are 12:00 to 3:00 and 5:00 to 11:00 Monday to Saturday. Sunday 12:00 to 10:30.
The Slaters Arms, Crag Lane, Low Bradley, near Skipton BD20 9DE Telephone: 01535 632179 Web site: http://www.theslatersarms.co.uk
Two very contrasting pubs - Autumn 2010
This edition highlights two very different public houses, one a rural, traditional Yorkshire Dales inn and the other a busy urban community pub.
Fox and Hounds, Starbotton
Deep in the Yorkshire Dales National Park there lies a hamlet which has been inhabited since the Iron Age. Stamphotne, listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 and now known as Starbotton exists today with a population of about 75. It’s situated on the River Wharfe opposite the Dales Way trail and lies 15 miles north of Skipton, halfway between Kettlewell and Buckden. Starbotton boasts a couple of working farms, numerous pack horse trails used in monastic times, a Quaker burial ground and has no church but does have a pub, the Fox and Hounds.
A pretty whitewashed stone building, the Fox & Hounds dates back 400 years with it being licensed premises for the last 170 of those. The single bar inn boasts a large stone fireplace, oak beams and a flagstone floor with a small dining area to the right of the bar. Upon entering you will always be greeted by mine host Mike Senior serving LocALe beers, Black Sheep Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord and a guest beer from Yorkshire Dales Brewery. Mike and his wife Eileen have been at the Fox & Hounds since 2001 and offer home cooked food as well as accommodation in the form of 3 en-suite double rooms. Used as both a base and stopping point by visitors enjoying the beautiful upper Wharfedale area the Fox & Hounds offers up tradition in a world sadly lacking it at times. Food, drink and conversation are definitely the order of the day. An outside drinking area provides excellent views of the surrounding countryside and a car park is available for those travelling in vehicles instead of by foot. Kettlewell is the hub of the area and there are three pubs there which many visitors frequent, but it’s well worth travelling that little bit further up the road to visit Starbotton and a well run traditional hostelry, the Fox & Hounds.
The Fox & Hounds, Starbotton, North Yorkshire, BD23 5HY, 01756 760269 Opening times: Tuesday - Sunday 11.30 - 3.00 & 6.00 - 11.00; closed Mondays except for Bank Holidays.Website: www.foxandhounds-starbotton.com
The Crossroads Inn, Cross Roads
Back in West Yorkshire along the busy A629 Halifax Road is a junction leading in the directions of Haworth, Keighley and Denholme. Known as Cross Roads it is connected with Lees (a small separate village) and sign posts will display Lees-Cum-Crossroads. Inexorably linked with Haworth, Crossroads does have its own history. The Brigantes fought the Romans here and the track eventually became part of the Roman Road to Ilkley. Documents of the area date back to 1338, water powered mills appeared in the 1500s and the main road from Ingrow to Denholme was built in 1794 which created a boom of industrial activity. By 1851 Cross Roads was fully established as a wool producing community with 90% of the population involved in the industry. The Brontë sisters lived nearby but other literary talents such as the poet Joseph Hardaker and author Halliwell Sutcliffe actually lived in Cross Roads.
The Crossroads Inn is situated squarely at the crossing of the roads, a solid structure made of local Yorkshire stone, and it has witnessed many changes in the area. Supposedly a one-time haunt of Branwell Bronte, today it is a single-bar open-plan pub with a large function room. At the back of the good sized car park there is an outdoor drinking area with picnic tables overlooking Cross Roads Park. A Copper Dragon tied pub, LocAles on offer include Black Gold, Golden Pippin and Best Bitter as well as a changing guest beer which gives customers an interesting choice. Friendly and welcoming service from Paula awaits you in this thriving community pub. All are welcome and an assortment of music evenings and special events encourage customers through the door. Regular acoustic and electric jam nights, live bands, discos, bingo evenings and a poker league offer something for everyone. Home cooked food is available Mon - Fri 12.00 - 6.00 and Sat - Sun 8.30 - 6.00 (breakfast 8.30 - 11.30). The next time you find yourself passing this crossing of the roads, make the effort to stop and visit the Crossroads Inn.
The Crossroads Inn, 1 Halifax Road, Cross Roads, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD22 9BG, 01535 543047 Opening times: Mon - Fri 12.00 - 12.00; Sat - Sun 8.30 - 12.00 Website: www.crossroadsinncrossroads.co.uk
Award-winning Locale pubs - Summer 2010
This edition of LocAle Spotlight shines upon CAMRA award winning hostelries in Keighley and Skipton. These towns are focal points in the local CAMRA branch area and boast a number of good pubs. Two of the very best are the Brown Cow in Keighley and the Narrow Boat in Skipton.
The Brown Cow, Keighley
Situated in the Aire Valley, Keighley sits at the confluence of the rivers Aire and Worth. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the town evolved from a rural economy to a textile and manufacturing hub during the industrial revolution. Today it is a tourist destination by virtue of its close proximity to Haworth, home to the Brontë sisters of literary fame. It is a terminus of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and for lovers of real ale the town also boasts four independent breweries: Timothy Taylor, Goose Eye, Old Bear and the newly opened Bridgehouse Brewery.
Located on the northern edge of the town centre the Brown Cow is an imposing Yorkshire-stone structure consisting of back-to-back cottages built in the early 1800s.By 1870 the four knocked-through cottages were officially listed as the Brown Cow in a trade directory. Timothy Taylor Brewery purchased the pub in 1901 and 109 years later it is still going strong. The pub is open-plan but with distinct drinking areas and a back room is available for private functions and meetings. The walls are decorated with mirrors and posters of beers and breweries of bygone eras. A roaring open fire greets you during the long cold winter months and the whole pub is clean and well-appointed. Barry, Carol and their friendly staff offer award-winning Timothy Taylor beers Golden Best, Best Bitter and Landlord on a permanent basis with Dark Mild and Ram Tam rotating in summer and winter respectively. There are two hand-pumps dedicated to ever-changing guest beers and the list of beers which have been on offer over the last six years will soon reach 1000. At least half of these qualified as LocAle because of the pub’s policy of dealing directly with local breweries such as Elland, Salamander and Bridgehouse.
Numerous CAMRA awards adorn the walls, the most recent being Pub of the Season Autumn 2009, the most prestigious being runner-up in Yorkshire Pub of the Year 2008. Listed in the Good Beer Guide, the pub has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and although slightly off the town circuit it’s well worth finding. It is a ten minute walk from Keighley railway station, five minutes from Keighley bus station and has a car park for those wishing to drive. A “Super Saver Sunday” deal sees a different beer offered each week at a suitably super price. The pub quizzes held on the last Wednesday of every month are popular and a try before you buy policy allows customers to make a more informed choice. A selection of bottled foreign beer is also available. The Brown Cow is a well-run pub with excellent beer quality, a friendly and varied clientele and shouldn’t be missed.
Opening hours: From 4 pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon.
The Brown Cow, 5 Cross Leeds Street, Keighley BD21 2LQ Website: www.browncowkeighley.co.uk
The Narrow Boat, Skipton
Travel along the Aire valley ten miles to the northwest and you will find the town of Skipton. Also listed in the Domesday Book, it is known as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and boasts 900 year old Skipton Castle, one of most complete and best preserved medieval castles in the country. A popular tourist destination, this ancient market town is situated on the river Aire and has the famous Leeds to Liverpool canal passing through it. Local independent brewery Copper Dragon is based in Snaygill Industrial Estate at the southern edge of the town.
Just a few minutes walk from the canal basin in the town centre and down a cobbled alleyway, sits the first pub ever opened by the small pub chain Market Town Taverns. The Narrow Boat opened in 1999 as a single bar with an upstairs gallery and an ethos of offering quality food and drink in simple and clean surroundings. Although not originally built as a pub, the interior has been sympathetically done with wooden floors, high ceilings, settles around the edges and canal murals as well as interesting beer posters and signs adorning the walls. There is neither piped music nor gaming machines, just good beer and conversation. Fairly recently the pub has been expanded into the premises next door with a new seating area and there is an upstairs function room which accommodates fifty. Landlord Tim Hughes runs the Narrow Boat and stocks local beers Copper Dragon Golden Pippin and Freddie Trueman Yorkshire Ale, Black Sheep Bitter and Timothy Taylor Landlord. Guest beers rotate on the other four hand-pumps, with at least one dark beer normally available. Most beers are from northern breweries many of which are local and direct delivery from the breweries helps keep the beer miles to a minimum. Samples of beers are freely given for those wishing to try before making a purchase. For those seeking something a bit different there is a large selection of both bottled and draught foreign beers. Regular music nights feature folk and jazz and a pub quiz is held every Wednesday evening. Freshly prepared food is available lunchtimes and evenings.
Good Beer Guide listed, the Narrow Boat has recently won a CAMRA Pub of the Season Award and many other awards adorn the walls from the past ten years. The bus station is a few minutes walk away with Skipton railway station a ten minute walk from the town centre. Locals and visitors alike praise the beer and hospitality in this well-run unpretentious pub, so drop into the Narrow Boat for a pint of local ale whenever you find yourself in Skipton.
Open daily 12 noon to 11.00 p.m.
The Narrow Boat, 36 - 38 Victoria Street, Skipton, BD23 1JE Telephone: 01756 797922 Market Town Taverns website: www.markettowntaverns.co.uk
Locale pubs handy for preserved steam railways - Spring 2010
In this instalment of LocAle Spotlight we look at two traditional village pubs. One is in the heart of Brontë Country and the other at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Both are ideally located near preserved steam railways.
The Golden Fleece, Oakworth
High up on the south-facing side of the Worth Valley sits the village of Oakworth. Starting life as a cluster of settlements along the ancient road between Colne and Bradford, Oakworth was mentioned in the Doomsday Survey and evolved into a medium-sized village during the industrial revolution. The creator of the world’s largest wool combing business, philanthropist and inventor Sir Isaac Holden, lived here during the heyday of the local textile industry. In 1862 local mill owners built a railway along the Worth Valley from Keighley to Oxenhope. Oakworth station lies at the southern end of the village on the 5 mile stretch which fell victim to drastic cuts on the national railway system in 1962. Locals formed a preservation society, purchased the line from BR and reopened it as the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in 1968. In 1970 The Railway Children was filmed in and around the Worth Valley ensuring long lasting fame for Oakworth station.
Situated at the north edge of Oakworth is the Golden Fleece, a pleasant white-washed stone inn. Quite an old inn, the Fleece as it was once known, is not a "listed" building but was mentioned as a "notable building" in the 1837 Trade Gazetteer. Nowadays it is a friendly and comfortably traditional establishment run by Tony & Denise Holmes. The interior is spacious with a choice of public or lounge bar as well as a separate dining area. All are welcome in a hostelry which caters for locals with quiz nights and live entertainment as well as televised sporting events in the main bar area. The local beers on offer are Timothy Taylor Golden Best and Black Sheep Bitter. Home cooked food is available and special events can be catered for. There is a good sized beer garden and car park. The pub is easily reached by public transport with Keighley & District Bus 717 running daily. You could also travel on the KWVR, disembark at the famous Oakworth station and walk the half mile up to the pub. It’s well worth the ride out from Keighley town centre or the walk up the hill to visit this welcoming traditional pub. Open throughout the day.
The Golden Fleece 126-128 Lane Ends, Oakworth BD22 7PR Tel: 01535 645930
The Elm Tree, Embsay
Situated squarely on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is the pretty village of Embsay. Located only 2 miles from Skipton, many walkers find Embsay a good starting point for visiting the local natural sites including Barden Moor and Embsay Crag. Embsay railway station was built in 1888 and although the four mile stretch of the former Ilkley to Skipton line was lost to the Beeching axe in 1965 it is now the terminus for the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. The line draws visitors for its special events including its Days Out with Thomas the Tank and now extends to within a mile and a half of the beautiful ruins of the 18th Century Priory, Bolton Abbey.
At the north end of the village you’ll find the main square and the Elm Tree Inn which was named after a large elm which stood there from 1867. The original tree has been replaced twice in recent years due to Dutch elm disease. The pub is made of sturdy Yorkshire stone and was originally a coaching inn with the worn mounting steps still in evidence. The pub has an airy open plan interior with oak beams and subtly separated eating and drinking areas. A cheery welcome awaits you in this well-supported village pub. Local beers include Goose Eye No-Eyed Deer and Copper Dragon Scotts 1816 as well as ever changing guest beers. Wells & Youngs Bombardier and Bitter are also available. There is accommodation available and home-cooked food is served lunchtimes and evenings. A well-run comfortable hostelry, once you’re there, you’ll want to stay for a while. Pennine bus 214 runs Mon-Sat during the day and Cravenlink 883/4 runs on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 11.30 - 3.00 & 5.30 - 11.00, Sat 11.30 - 11.00 and Sun 12.00 - 10.30.
The Elm Tree, Embsay, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 6RB 01756 790717
Spotlight on Brontë Country - Winter 2009/2010
This LocAle spotlight shines on two traditional public houses nestled in the heart of Brontë Country.
The Lamb, Leeming
Perched upon the valley head at the edge of Oxenhope there sits a stone structure which was not originally built as a pub but started life as a tannery. The Lamb Inn at Leeming lies in an area that has undergone great changes over the past few centuries. From agriculture and cattle grazing to a cottage textile industry which evolved into the mill industry formed in the first half of the 19th century. Although close to Haworth of Brontë fame, the Oxenhope area still retains much of its industrial origins and remains a quiet backwater with the mills now mostly residential.
The Lamb has witnessed many of the changes in a location overlooking moorland that can be bleak and beautiful at the same time. Outside, it is a typical Yorkshire stone building and the inside is a well-appointed single room pub. As you enter, a cosy dining area lies to your right with the main bar and drinking area on the left. Open fires cheer you in cold damp weather and the décor includes traditional brass with plenty of photos of the pub and the surrounding area from days gone by. Walkers and families are warmly welcomed and a beer garden beckons when the sun shines on the moors. (Yes, the sun does shine in Yorkshire!) LocAle beers are Black Sheep Bitter, Copper Dragon Golden Pippin and Timothy Taylor Landlord with John Smith’s Bitter also on offer. Home-cooked meals are served lunchtimes and evenings and a basket filled with jars of homemade chutneys and pate sits on the bar tempting you to purchase one to take home. An upstairs room is available for meetings and functions.
There is a car park but public transport will get you there as well. The Keighley and District 663 bus runs from early morning until late at night from Keighley. Alight at the Post Office in Oxenhope and walk up Denholme road (a fairly steep hill!) to the pub. The 500 bus runs between Keighley and Hebden Bridge via Oxenhope during the day. Alternatively take the preserved Keighley and Worth Valley Railway to Oxenhope Station and walk the half mile via Station Road through the village past the Post Office and again up Denholme Road. It’s well worth the walk and if you’re seeking a good traditional pub to relax, drink and socialize in the Lamb is definitely the place to go.
The Lamb, Denholme Road, Oxenhope, West Yorkshire BD22 9NU: Telephone 01535 646394 Opening hours 11-3 and 6-close weekdays (Weds only in the evening); all day opening on the weekends.
The Old Silent, Stanbury
Less than three miles to the northwest the small village of Stanbury sits snugly beneath the heather moors very near the Pennine Way. Stanbury has even closer links to the Brontë sisters with Top Withens (reputedly the setting for the farmstead in Wuthering Heights) nearby. The village is blessed with three pubs, two in the middle of the village and the third on Hob Lane, the road leading out of the village towards Lancashire. The Old Silent Inn is a traditional roadside hostelry dating back over 400 years with earliest records showing it as a family farming business in 1822. Rumours have it that Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed at the inn and relied on the villagers to “keep silent” which seemingly led to its present name. The pub is also thought to be haunted following numerous ghostly sightings over the years.
A large stone pub, it’s pleasantly rambling inside boasting numerous rooms including the Wishing Well restaurant. Oak beams, open fires and a pleasant atmosphere offer a comfortable place for a drink and a chat and outside there are two beer gardens to enjoy the local views from. The bar serves Timothy Taylor Landlord, Theakston Old Peculier and Black Sheep Bitter as LocAle beers along with a changing guest beer. The Ponden function room is available for hire and there is accommodation for those wishing to linger in the local area. For those of a modern persuasion WiFi is available in the bar areas. Food is locally sourced and served lunchtimes and evenings during the week (Early Bird Special 5.30-6.30) and throughout the day on weekends and Bank Holidays.
There is ample car parking at the pub and Keighley and District bus 664 runs Monday to Saturday during the day with its terminus just a five minute walk up the hill. Make the effort to visit the Old Silent Inn and you’ll find a pub that offers something for everyone.
Old Silent Inn, Hob Lane, Stanbury, nr Haworth, West Yorkshire BD22 0HW: Telephone 01535 647437. Opening Hours 12 – close daily. Web-site: www.old-silent-inn.co.uk
Spotlight on Appletreewick - Autumn 2009
In this edition LocAle Spotlight focuses on two Yorkshire Dales hostelries situated in a small village 12 miles north-east of Skipton..
Appletreewick, pronounced locally as ‘aptrick’, is a village of approximately 200 souls which overlooks the river Wharfe north of Bolton Abbey. Offering views of Burnsall Fells and Simon’s Seat, this picturesque village became prosperous in the year 1300 when Bolton Prior acquired the local manor and lands which included sheep ranges and lead mines. Market and Fair charters were granted and the village did well until the advent of the railways in the mid 19th century. Sir William Craven was born in Appletreewick and rose through the ranks of industry (the story of Dick Whittington) to became sheriff and lord mayor of London in the early 17th century. At one time Sir William owned the first of our highlighted pubs and his coat of arms can be found throughout the building.
Craven Arms, Appletreewick
Starting life in the 16th century as a stone farmhouse, the Craven Arms is a multi-roomed public house with open fires, gas lighting, stone flagged floors and low beamed ceilings. The bar is split across two rooms and boasts eight hand pumps with LocAle beers Timothy Taylor Golden Best and Theaston Best Bitter. Guest beers from Dark Horse and Goose Eye breweries also qualify as local beer. The house beer is from Moorhouses and Tetley Bitter is also a regular with guest ales from Leeds brewery. The public bar has a rare Ring the Bull board and the village stocks are conveniently situated right next to pub for those who misbehave. Recently, at the rear of the pub, a crook barn was built with locally sourced materials as it would have been in the heyday of this style of barn 400 years ago. A huge riven and bent oak A-frame truss (the cruck) supports the barn and a log fireplace, traditional heather thatched roof, horsehair and lime plaster and sheepswool insulation make this a place fit for feasts, banquets and events such as weddings and birthdays. Other facilities include a beer garden, car park and disabled access to the barn. The Craven is both dog and boot friendly. For sustenance there are daily specials as well as an á la carte menu served lunchtime and evenings. The pub opening times are: 11 - 3, 6 - 11 Monday and Tuesday 11.30 - 11 Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 - 12 Friday and Saturday and 11:30 - 10:30 Sunday. This year’s annual beer festival will be held from 9 - 11 October.
For more information contact: 01756 720270 or visit www.craven-cruckbarn.co.uk
New Inn, Appletreewick
Two hundred metres down the road at the lower end of the village is a 17th century whitewashed pub, the New Inn. The main drinking area is on the right with a comfortable room to the left which is used as an additional eating area and a there is a third room with a pool table. The wood panelled walls in the public bar are adorned with black and white photos of days gone by. A raised drinking area leads to the bar which offers LocAle beers Black Sheep Bitter, Daleside Bitter, Daleside Blonde and Theakston Old Peculiar. John Smiths Bitter and an interesting selection of bottled continental beers are also available. Carol and Phillip Smith provide a warm and friendly atmosphere which welcomes hikers, cyclists, mountain bikers and horse riders as well as those arriving by car or bus. For cyclists there is a cycle livery nearby. A terrace and beer garden offer fantastic views of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Food is available daily with a specials board as well as á la carte. There are five double rooms with B&B accommodation and a large car park. The New Inn is open 12 - 11 daily.
Contact: 01756 720252 or www.the-new-inn-appletreewick.com
Both pubs have BD23 6DA as a postcode and there is public transport to Appletreewick via bus number 74 from Ilkley to Grassington.
Spotlight on some local fauna - Summer 2009
In this issue we highlight a thriving community pub in West Yorkshire and a traditional coaching inn in North Yorkshire, both with zoological names.
A bird…
Sitting snugly between Ilkley and Skipton just off the A65 in the Wharfe valley is the village of Addingham. With the Yorkshire Dales National Park just three miles to the north and Rombalds Moor (part of which is Ilkley Moor) to the south, this former textile mill village is today an ideal location for commuters. During the 18th Century Addingham boasted five working mills and held large livestock markets just behind The Swan public house, a solid stone structure situated on the main street in the middle of the village.
The Swan survives today in a now-rare traditional four-room layout with a central bar. The rooms include a front parlour, back parlour, tap room and snug. Features contributing to the unique atmosphere include Wharfedale stone flags, a Rotherham range, oak settles, open fires, a Victorian-style “altar” and copper-topped tables.
Ian and Nikki took over the pub in May 2008 and have endeavoured to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. An ever changing range of real ales has included beers from Old Bear, Leeds, Ossett, Saltaire, Salamander, Timothy Taylor and Theakston’s, to name a few, thus providing variety and offering at least one locally brewed real ale at all times. The Swan remains a community pub in the heart of the village and the multi-room layout ensures a choice of area for everyone, be it for a quiet meal, a game of darts or entertainment from a live band. Locally sourced good pub grub is available five days a week (not Monday or Tuesday) including Sunday lunch. Live music evenings are Mondays (folk), Thursdays (acoustic) and Saturdays when various styles of bands play. Quiz night is Wednesday from 9pm. Walkers, cyclists and dogs (on a leash) are all welcome. A good community pub offers something for everyone, and The Swan is a good example. So, whether you are passing through or making Addingham your destination, The Swan is a must visit.
The Swan opens at 17.30 Monday and Tuesday and at 12.00 and 17.30 Wednesday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours extend all day from 12.00. There is a car park, or you can get there by bus services 762/765 (Keighley-Ilkley) or X84 (Skipton-Ilkley).
The Swan, 106 Main Street, Addingham, West Yorkshire LS29 0NS; telephone 01943 831999; www.swan-addingham.co.uk
… & a beast
Sadly, the Buck closed in Summer 2010 after the licensee left. We are awaiting news as to what is happening with the pub. If you know, please contact us with information.
Travel just twenty miles to the north where Upper Wharfedale sits in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and you'll find the peaceful village of Buckden. Situated along the Dales Way and with the River Wharfe running close by, Buckden boasts traditional stone cottages, a general store, an art gallery, and The Buck Inn at its heart. Nestled under the imposing Buckden Pike, this large Georgian coaching inn has traditionally been used as a staging post for travellers heading to the north. Today it boast 14 en-suite rooms and the elegant Courtyard Restaurant.
Julie and Alf run The Buck in a friendly and efficient manner. The bar has six handpumps featuring a house beer, appropriately named Buckden Pike, from Yorkshire Dales Brewery. Black Sheep Best Bitter and Riggwelter as well as Timothy Taylor Landlord and Dark Mild are also on offer. The sixth handpump has featured Black Sheep Golden Sheep as well as Yorkshire Dales Dark. All the beers qualify as “LocAle”. They can be enjoyed in the flagstoned bar or the well-appointed lounge, or at the outside tables with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The menu includes locally sourced ingredients and offers snacks and specials as well as A La Carte.
Walkers on Buckden Pike seek out curlew and lapwings and enjoy the fells, waterfalls and meadows of the surrounding countryside. The hamlets of Cray and Hubberholme (each with its own pub) are nearby and farming is still a viable business in the area. This part of the national park offers a treat for everyone and The Buck is a great place to use as a base for a visit to this beautiful part of the world.
Access to the area is by the B6160 and http://www.dalesbus.org/ provides information on getting there by bus from Skipton.
The Buck Inn, Buckden, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 5JA; telephone 01756 760228; www.thebuckinnbuckden.co.uk
Spotlight on a pair of King's - Spring 2009
In this edition we describe two with similar regal names situated at opposite ends of the Keighley & Craven branch area.
Kings Arms, Haworth
Nestled in the Worth valley of West Yorkshire is the historic village of Haworth. The King’s Arms is situated at the top of Main Street, near the Brontë Parsonage Museum and the bleak moors of the Pennines. Built in the 17th century, the pub was originally owned by the local lord of the manor but sold in 1763. By 1841 Enoch Thomas, a friend of Branwell Bronte, was the innkeeper. The pub has an interesting history, some rooms have been used for Manorial Courts, which served as local government in medieval times and the cellar was used as a mortuary by the local undertaker.
Today the pub is open plan with a three-sided bar in the main drinking area and has a separate restaurant. Landlord Kevin, wife Susan and son Michael run the pub which caters for locals and tourists alike with events including darts and dominoes evenings, themed food nights, wine tasting, plus music and karaoke sessions. Open daily from 12 o’clock the real ales on offer are Tetley’s Bitter and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord both of which are local beers, plus two changing guest beers. The pub has accommodation and is ideally situated for visiting the shops in Haworth, the nearby Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and provides a base for walking the local moors that the Brontë sisters made famous. Serviced by good public transport from Keighley, Bradford and Hebden Bridge and surrounded by plenty of local amenities, the King’s Arms offers something for everyone.
King’s Arms, 2 Main Street, Haworth, West Yorkshire BD22 8DA phone: 01535 647302
Kings Head, Kettlewell
Approximately 30 miles to the north, is The King’s Head situated in a picturesque village in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales. The name Kettlewell is Anglo Saxon and is believed to derive from Cetel Wella which means bubbling stream or spring. The village used to be part of Northumbria, is mentioned in the Doomsday book and with the river Wharfe running through it, has an interesting history of lead mining and cotton mills. Every August more than 100 scarecrows can be seen all around the village in an annual fundraising event.
The King’s Head is located at The Green, and is an imposing whitewashed hotel just off the main road the B6160. Built in the 17th century it has supposedly been used as a mill and a workhouse. An impressive inglenook fireplace dominates the main room and the clean and simple interior along with a flag-stoned floor are inviting to the many walkers returning from their travels around the beautiful scenery of upper Wharfedale. Brendan and Judith now run the pub and serve well-kept Black Sheep Bitter, Yorkshire Dales Buttertubs (both local beers) and Tetley’s Bitter. Food and accommodation is available and the pub is listed in the famous Inn Way travel book. They are open daily from 11am except for Sunday which is 11.30am. Local drinkers as well as visitors to the area use the pub to meet and socialize. With a variety of interesting shops, teas rooms and still boasting a post office, Kettlewell is an ideal place for a break from the pressures of modern life and the King’s Head offers a place to relax and enjoy local beer and good conversation.
King’s Head Hotel, The Green, Kettlewell, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 5RD phone: 01756 260424)
