please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Gosh this place was busy for a Sunday at 4pm with eaters but also a few drinkers outside. There was a choice of 4 real ales of which two were from Sonnet brewery, a pale and a milk stout...marvellous. An idyllic country pub
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I have always avoided this pub as I prefer a dog friendly pub when on holiday in the area but we ate there twice recently and both the food and beers were excellent especially the Copper Dragon. I was surprised about the previous comments about the Landlord. He was accommodating when we wanted to eat at short notice and found space for us in a busy dining room. I also saw him chatting to a number of other customers
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Nice quaint country pub, full of charm and character, I can't say the same for the landlord though. Tried to have a conversation with him but he was more interested in the TV. I understand the pub is very busy so maybe he dosen't feel the need to be friendly!
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Been here many times over the years and quite a lot recently as friends have moved to live in the area. Fully endorse the favourable things in previous comments and can't understand the adverse comments (you can't please some people, however hard you try)! In my experience they have excellent food and real ales - enjoyed some nice Copper Dragon the other day. Only slight criticism might be that there are normally only 3 real ales on handpump and two of these always seem to be pretty standard, widely available, beers (at time of last visit Theakston's bitter and 'Abbott', in addition to the superb Copper Dragon bitter from Skipton). Would like to see at least two 'unusual' beers out of the three! Not suggesting they should keep more than three real ales at any one time as the quality might suffer. Can't wait to go again!!
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Don't quite understand the negative comments of some recent reviews - mine was a fleeting visit but the place seemed to do everything pretty well. The lovely building opposite a fascinating old church was well used with cosy trooms and plenty of eating space. The guest beer was a good drivers' ale of just 3.4% (Daleside Spring Frenzy), the landlord happy to chat and the mixture of locals and diners seemed content with what was on offer. Did not have the chance to make a longer visit but will certainly try.
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Loved this place. Located in a tiny beautiful village.
Front bar is very small and cosy with a real fire. Nice low beamed ceiling.
Very tasty / large food portions.
If you get a chance check out the historic church directly accross from the pub. Has an ancient crypt downstairs.
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Had been recommended to try this place, so popped in for a drink whilst passing through. I wouldn't recommend it - 3 beers on, all stronger than average ( bad if you're driving) including Old Speckled Hen which I can get just up the road from where I live. Beer quality nothing special at all, landlord's attitude poor, and all the nice seats at the front of the pub were reserved for smokers! Lovely old building in a nice village, but not what I expected and not deserving of being in the Good Beer Guide.
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Having read other good reviews on the Internet I decided to try this place for lunch recently. I didn't particularly get a warm greet from the landlord but the bar area was lovely with a good selection of real ales, so looked promising. There were plenty of blackboards with daily food specials so decided to stay (and it was busy with diners which is always a good sign). However, though the food was slightly better than the average pub it was nothing to write home about either. I ordered the slow cooked belly pork, described as having crisp crackling; sadly the crackling was soft and chewy, the vegetables/ side dishes boring and I finished with an okayish pudding. I understand from speaking to someone else, who has been to this pub many times in the last few years, that she has found the place is not quite as good as it used to be. Perhaps trading off its past reputation?
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Tucked away in a fold on the North Yorks Moors in a pretty village, this popular pub is noted for good beer and good food, certainly a destination pub for lovers of traditional pubs. A low stone building with a number of small rooms, the main bar is decorated with old pictures, pump clips, certificates from CAMRA and dozens of pewter mugs. Three hand pumps with Theakstons Best plus guests in excellent condition, a black board lists what�s coming next. Friendly and efficient service, a great village pub.
anonymous - 4 Mar 2009 09:53 |
If I was an ex-pat, in my mind�s eye I would have an image of a village pub in autumn, with a lit range, steaming and snoring Labradors, tweed clad locals, and beer and food garnished with the sepia of nostalgia. Given that I�m not an ex-pat, but merely on our annual trip to the county of my (distant) fathers, I can safely say that the Blacksmiths Arms comes close to my platonic ideal of what a pub should be.
I was very impressed by the friendliness and efficiency of the staff: our large family group�s byzantinely complex order was handled with aplomb and great good humour.Helpings of food were reassuringly generous: my lamb pie has gone down in the annals of famous pies-the pastry unctuously oozing with the liquor within.
On the beer front, the regular Theakston�s was partnered by Another Fine Mess from the Northumberland Brewery. I thought Laurel and or Hardy came from Ulverston or Barrow in Furness rather than Bedlington but never mind. In all accounts , it�s a fine ale, and I�ll look out for Northumberland�s beers in future. The beer in the future board was frustrating in that unfortunately I�ll be unable to sample the delights produced by the Great Heck Brewery, due to the need to get back to work.
Oh yes, the range was lit, the dogs were snoring, and tweed was in evidence.
9/10.
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Excellent - been there several times recently. Beer choice reasonable and food excellent, plentiful + not excessively expensive. Extremely good pub in very attractive surroundings. Very friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommended. Best to book if wanting a meal.
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Stumbled across this pub, while on out footpath walk.
Ordered tea for two, got seven cups out of one teapot - excellent.
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The best food I have had in a pub in a long time, outstanding service and beers too. Beautiful surroundings, faultless. 10 / 10.
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Superb little (if a bit overcrowded) pub with and excellent range of beers. Have to add though that I went in here a few years ago when it was also a micro-brewery. What happened to those beers - they were superb!
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Difficult to get a drink unencumbered by the smell of cooking. Far too close, in all senses, to the church and its doings. Beer selection, though, can be very good, though often awkward to find space at the bar to order.
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What a find! This traditional pub is a gem. Set in a tiny village at the foot of the moors and opposite a beautiful and historic church.
Food outstanding, friendly folk and 3 letting room at reasonable prices.
Go check it out - you will NOT be disappointed!
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