BITE user comments - arihall
Comments by arihall
A great addition to the real ale scene in Hebden Bridge. Calan's is one of the new breed of 'micro pubs', small, but serving quality real ales from a cooled cabinet behind the bar. The 5 hand pulled beers are almost always from small independent breweries, often local. Very friendly, and a good mix of locals and visitors. Highly recommended.
29 Sep 2015 17:27
Situated in the heart of historic Heysham Village, the Royal has improved dramatically since the new landlord took over in December 2014. The pub itself is very old, parts dating from the 17th century, and has low beams and antique furniture. On our visit the beer was in excellent condition (Two beers from York Brewery, and one apiece from Black Sheep, and Oakham, and there's a discount for CAMRA members) and the food stunning. There's a special lunchtime menu during the week at £6, which includes traditional fish and chips.
The pub has a massive car park and gardens and terraces. If you're coming by public transport, the number 4 bus from Lancaster (calling at Morecambe) takes you right into the centre of the village, about 100 yards away from the pub.
Highly recommended.
5 May 2015 17:47
The Hinchcliffe Arms, Hebden Bridge
Recently bought by the brewers J W Lees, so expect beers from them, and them alone.
19 Dec 2014 07:31
The Hack and Hop, Fleet Street
Friendly gastro pub. Good range of cask and keg beers. The food looks great - try the black pudding scotch egg.
20 Oct 2014 16:09
Great addition to the Skipton real ale scene. Barrels are stored in a glass cabinet behind the bar. This type of pub (very similar to the Snug on Carnforth Station) is dedicated to good beer and conversation. It's a model that should be used much more.
20 Aug 2014 16:41
The Palmerston Arms, Peterborough
Great unspoilt friendly basic boozer. Beer is served straight from the barrel (in most cases). Check opening times.
20 Aug 2014 16:34
Charters Bar and East Restaurant, Peterborough
Great Oakham Ales pub on a large Dutch barge moored on the River Nene. Beers from that brewery plus guests. There's a Thai restaurant upstairs. Good spot.
20 Aug 2014 16:29
Great pub in the west of the city centre (a couple of hundred yards from Tollcross). Good range of beers to suit all tastes. Recommended if you like real ale.
11 Aug 2014 16:18
Now closed and due for demolition to make way for a car park and shopping mall.
27 Jul 2014 08:30
The Fox and Goose, Hebden Bridge
Much improved since becoming Yorkshire's first co-operative pub. Ever changing choice of beers on the 5 handpumps from small independent brewers.Very friendly. Dogs and walkers welcome. 2 minute's walk from the centre of Hebden Bridge, and there are bus stops nearby with buses every 10 minutes to Todmorden and Halifax.
8 Jul 2014 19:32
Black Cock Inn, Broughton-in-Furness
Friendly pub/restaurant. Good food, and a limited but adequate choice of real ales. We found it best to eat here, and then drink at the Manor Arms, just a short walk away.
8 Jul 2014 07:17
The Manor Arms, Broughton in Furness
The best place in Broughton for real ale. Good range of mainly Cumbrian beers. Limited food, but the Black Cock is only a minute's walk away. They do accommodation too.
8 Jul 2014 07:14
A friendly micro pub on Carnforth railway station, itself famous for being the location of the film Brief Encounter. Four hand pulled beers, often from local independent breweries, plus bottles and cider. Basic pub food (eg pork pies, pickled eggs).
Closed on Mondays, and fairly restricted opening hours - 12-2pm (3pm on Sunday and 5-9pm (except Sunday).
Holds an annual beer festival in November (expanding into a hall in the adjacent heritage centre).
Well worth a visit.
7 Jun 2014 08:23
Great little traditional pub with a good selection of real ales from independent breweries, mostly at sub £3 prices, often considerably so.
Very friendly (Eastern European?) staff.
4 Jun 2014 06:42
Good spot to call at if your'e doing the Leeds-Harrogate -York railway run. There are trains to York every hour and to Harrogate/Leeds every half hour. Good choice of beers, if a little on the pricey side - £3.44 for Taylor's Landlord, £3.16 for bog standard Black Sheep, and, gulp, £9.52 for a pint of 6.9% keg Stone IPA.
They will insist, as in all Market Town Tavern outlets, on using 1p and 2p's, so you often end up with a pocket full of shrapnel. It's a ridiculous system for all concerned.
29 May 2014 07:28
Great new addition to the Harrogate pub scene, and a great dropping off point for those travelling between Leeds and York on the scenic Harrogate railway line. Very much in the style of the other 'Tap' pubs at York and Sheffield, with a good choice of both real ales and craft keg beers. Only warning - check prices before you buy; some are more London than Yorkshire (Hand pulled Magic Rock High Wire at £4 a pint is just having a laugh)
29 May 2014 07:17
Just revisited after a year's absence. Still on form. Great finishing point if you're been walking along the canal. Dogs welcome in the pool room, though sitting out in the canal basin is always a pleasure.
18 May 2014 07:09
Situated near the Calder and Hebble canal, this pub is handy stopping off point if you're walking from Wakefield to Dewsbury. Interestingly, it's adjacent to two breweries - Bobs Brewery (whose Red Lion beer you'll often find in the pub) and Ossett Brewery. The pub always stocks a beer from Oakham (which was Citra when I visited). I think I counted 7 or 8 handpumps. The food is good value no nonsense pub grub.
Incidentally, the pub isn't in Ossett - it's a couple of miles out of town at Healey Mills, which is a former railway marshalling yard. There is an occasional bus that visits, but do check. Failing that, it's a very pleasant 2 mile rural walk along the canal into Dewsbury (where many beery delights await!)
18 May 2014 07:07
This is the sort of pub that I'd love to like, but sadly I never find the beers particularly interesting. If you're into pale hoppy beers, you'd be better off walking round the corner to the Euston Tap.
10 Feb 2014 18:29
The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch
We always visit the Pride on our frequent trips to London. This is a real pub, the type of which is becoming increasingly hard to find. My only gripe is that the Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold (which we specifically come here for!) was slightly past its best. I would have said something, but the locals seemed to be quite happy with it, so rather than being some sort of bolshy visitor, we quietly supped up and left.
10 Feb 2014 18:21
Curious brewpub in what appears to be some sort of canalside warehouse building. Beer was pretty good. It was exceptionally crowded on the Saturday afternoon we visited with a 40 minute wait for the home made pizzas they offer. Would be nice to experience when there was the chance of a seat.
10 Feb 2014 18:15
Modern cafe bar style pub in a shopping mall. Not everyone's cup of tea, but a great choice of cask and keg beers and friendly staff. Prices not as bad as we Yorkshiremen had feared.
10 Feb 2014 18:10
Great pub, friendly locals, Brodie's beers brewed on site, £2.50 a pint. If you like beer and traditional pubs then this is it.
10 Feb 2014 18:06
Friendly landlord. Somewhat mundane beer. Worth visiting if you're on a Leeds crawl, but only for a swift one.
6 Nov 2013 20:33
Lovely warm welcome. An enthusiastic manageress who certainly knows her beer. House beer from Kirkstall Brewery, and three other handpumps. Some fabulous bottled beer, including some from The Kernel Brewery in London. Worth locating.
6 Nov 2013 20:31
Brigantes Bar and Brasserie, York
Went in today, hung around for five minutes. No sign of any bar staff. Eventually walked out and went to Wetherspoons. This would not have happened in Ian Fozard's day. There are an increasing numbed of fabulous real ale pubs in York, and the Brigantes need to appreciate this.
6 Nov 2013 20:25
The Shoulder of Mutton, Castleford
Went after visiting the Junction (not on the list of pubs in Castleford on BITE but without doubt the best in town if you like real ale.) Sadly, at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon, the place was closed. Shame, because it's in the 2013 Good Beer Guide, so it must be worth visiting.
9 Sep 2013 17:54
The Robin Hood Inn, Pontefract
THE pub to visit in Pontefract. The owner (formerly of Fernandes in Wakefield), serves an ever changing range of quality real ales (including some from his own brewery at Filey -East Coast, and his own recently installed brewplant at The Robin Hood itself). A no nonsense basic ale house. Wonderful.
9 Sep 2013 17:49
A pretty decent Wetherspoons (currently in the good Beer Guide), several local beers in addition to the usual suspects.
3 Sep 2013 09:52
If you've only time to go to one pub in Durham, make sure it's the Victoria. A traditional back street pub serving hand pulled beers from local breweries (eg Big Lamp, Wylam). Wonderful unspoild Victorian interior. Also has letting bedrooms. It's about 10 minutes walk from the Cathedral.
16 Aug 2013 08:55
Friendly little pub, mercifully far enough away from Huddersfield railway Station to be off the dreaded 'ale trail' and all those undesirables trying to get drunk. Good range of low priced beers and the food looks superb.
29 Jul 2013 07:54
The Fox and Goose, Hebden Bridge
Currently being transformed into a 'Community Pub'. Investments from £100 to £20,000 are invited.
19 Jun 2013 20:07
One of the quirkiest pubs I have ever visited. Charming owners, who have had an endless battle with the planning authorities, who insist this is a 'residential' area, despite having shops either side and a Morrisons across the road. A magnificent range of bottle conditioned beers, all brewed by themselves. Deli style food. Go while you can!
12 Jun 2013 12:35
The White Hart Hotel, Todmorden
Better than average Wetherspoons outlet, with plenty of space and yet not the 'barn' that some 'spoons can be. Two bars (one upstairs) and some facinating photos and drawings of Todmorden and its famous sons and daughters. Two outside drinking areas. Just a minute from Todmorden railway and bus stations.
12 Jun 2013 12:31
The White Lion is now a free house with a good selection of real ales. It's run by a guy who also owns a beer wholesalers, so he knows quite a lot about the trade. Limited food at time of writing but they're about to refurbish/ rebuild the kitchen.
12 Jun 2013 12:27
Old Gate Bar & Restaurant, Hebden Bridge
Now THE place for real ale in Hebden Bridge. 8 handpumps serving a range of beers to suit all tastes. The 'house beer' is usually Magic Rock Curious. An enthusiastic and very knowledgable staff behind the bar. Outdoor drinking area. Restaurant upstairs. Dog friendly.
12 Jun 2013 12:23
A welcome addition to the central Bradford pub scene. The new owner also runs the New Beehive in Bradford, and the Shakespeare in Sheffield, and has stuck to the sensible formula of a basic boozer selling quality real ales at very reasonable prices (£2.70 - £2.85 on my visit). Beers were from Salamander, Acorn, Saltaire, Great Newsome, Wall Brewery (Northallerton) and Thwaites. Food consists of sandwiches and pork pies. A three minute walk from Bradford Interchange Railway and Bus Station.
12 Jun 2013 12:18
Excellent pub with a good selection of beers from small independent breweries. Worth making the short walk out of town, but do check opening times.
4 Nov 2012 10:55
Reasonably priced brew pub serving a good range of beers from the independents. I sampled a half of their own strong hoppy beer (7%) at �1.60 for a half. It was so good I had to have another. Highly recommended.
12 Oct 2012 15:03
Old Gate Bar & Restaurant, Hebden Bridge
Now open with at least 6 handpumps. Beers came from Oakham, Dark Star, Saltaire and others on the day I visited. Looks promising.
8 Oct 2012 10:02
Unusual and cosy pub with about 10 hand pumps. The food coming downstairs from the kitchen looked substantial and good quality.
8 Oct 2012 09:57
Fantastic range of beers (I kept losing count of the handpumps) in slightly charmless environment. Nothing wrong with the place, but nothing special. The Lion and Key nearby (listed on BITE as Durty Nelly's) is run by the same management and we thought the better of the two.
8 Oct 2012 09:55
Definitely worth visiting in your in Hull. Decent range of beers (we were lucky in that there was a mini beer festival on as well!). Very friendly bar staff. Basic pies, scotch eggs and sausage rolls sourced from a local burtcher.
8 Oct 2012 09:49
Called in here en route to Foxfield. Friendly little pub selling several locally brewed (Cumbria) beers at very good prices. The food looked excellent too.
8 Oct 2012 09:46
The Railway Hotel, Hebden Bridge
Closed. A victim of the summer floods in Hebden Bridge. There are hopes is may reopen before too long.
10 Sep 2012 22:27
Closed. Victim of the summer floods in Hebden Bridge. No indication that it will reopen.
10 Sep 2012 22:24
North Riding Hotel, Scarborough
Local CAMRA Pub of the Year for the third year running. Over 1000 guest beers served in addition to its own. We had a great time here. I can't fault the quality of the beer. A 'must visit' in Scarborough for anyone who appreciates decent beer.
3 Sep 2012 18:07
We visited Norwich whilst in the area attending the Peterborough Beer Festival. The idea was to do a few pubs in the city. We never made it out of the Fat Cat! that says it all....
25 Aug 2012 07:36
Superb pub, but beware - as part of the Rail Ale Trail it can get stupendously busy on a Saturday lunchtime / afternoon, to the extent that people queue out of the door. A lot of these clientele are not bothered about the quality of the real ale, but simply want to get tanked up on lager before their next port of call in Dewsbury or Stalybridge. Midweek is best if you want to be able to hold a sensible conversation.
As for the beer, you can't fault it on quality and price.
2 Jul 2012 18:18
Lovely traditional basic boozer, run by an enthusiastic landlord who is now stocking guest ales. 50 yards from the West end of the Cathedral.
2 Jul 2012 18:06
The Labour Club (Red Shed), Wakefield
The 'Red Shed' is a must visit for any real ale afficionados. Bizarrely situated adjacent to a brand new shopping mall, this tiny wooden painted hut has survived many attempts to get it relocated. Surely it must deserve listing by now!
4 handpumps, all at low prices. (�2.30 area). Variable opening hours. It alos holds a popular beer festival every year.
2 Jul 2012 18:03
A classic pub, well worth visiting. Can get busy during the various organised 'events' which take place throughout the year. A tip : If you want to order one of their superb pasties do it fairly soon after entering the pub. The pasties are all made to order and can take a while to produce.
The train journeys along the Cumbrian Coast, from either Carlisle or Lancaster are worth doing in their own right. Foxfield is a request stop, so don't forget to tell the guard you want to get off.
14 Apr 2012 18:41
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham
An amazing pub, partly carved into the hillside behind, making a series of bizarre rooms and passages. Yes, it has more than its fair share of tourists, but the beer and food are good and reasonably priced. Nottingham Extra Pale Ale is good (many of the others are from Greene King, who own the place). If you visit Norritgham, you simply must visit the Trip
1 Apr 2012 18:40
The Lincolnshire Poacher, Nottingham
Had a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon here. Food is good and substantial. Beer was certainly the best we sampled in Nottingham
1 Apr 2012 17:24
The Free Trade Tavern, Milnrow
Hmmm. I wonder if the previous positive poster and the name of the pub are connected in some way!
26 Feb 2012 16:03
Cosmopolitan cafe-bar style that has received much praise nationally. An excellent and ever changing range of hand pulled beers together with continental lagers and 'keg keg' beers from craft brewers. Definitely one to visit if you're in Bradford.
9 Feb 2012 07:17
Revisited recently, midweek. Quiet enough to have a bit of a chat with the bar staff and be able to sit in the main bar area. If you go try their speciality - black peas, 90p a bowl and a perfect accompaniment to the wide range of real ales.
25 Jan 2012 09:18
The Fylingdales Inn, Fylingthorpe
Nice welcoming pub but, as with so many pubs in this area, the beers were limited to John Smiths and Theakstons. Come on guys - there are thousands of beers out there - can't we have a little more choice?
25 Jan 2012 09:14
The Black Horse Vaults, Whitby
Lovely traditional town pub. Beer all a bit mundane though - Shepherd Neame Spitfire is dull and unforgettable. The guest on our visit, Rhatas from Black Dog, is an acquired taste.
25 Jan 2012 09:12
Friendly pub with a wide selection of real ale. We had the Ossett Silver King, which was well kept. No food.
25 Jan 2012 09:08
Best pub in Robin Hoods Bay for quality and variety of beer. Main bar mercifully free from mewling and puking kids and dogs (there's another room for them).
All the other pubs in RHB seem to be serving the same beers from Theakstons and other bigger breweries. Are they under the same ownership, I wonder?
25 Jan 2012 09:06
Visited this pub whilst staying in the Upper Wharfe Valley over the New Year. It's walker and dog friendly and has by far the best range of real ales in the area. Definitely the one to visit if you're in Kettlewell.
6 Jan 2012 17:05
This superb 'pub' is merely a stall in the busy market. It's an idea that other markets should adopt - it works very well.
5 handpumps (always a Boggart or two) and a good array of American and other bottled beers. Particularly impressive was the number of beers from small independent British brewers.
They seem now to have a link up with the cheese stall next door, and you can get a pint and a platter of cheese for a fiver.
1 Dec 2011 08:49
The West Riding Refreshment Rooms, Dewsbury
This pub, once the Yorkshire Pub of the Year is becoming a victim of its own success. On a Saturday, every time a train arrives, a load of twenty/thirty year olds pile in - followers of the Ale Trail promoted a while back on TV. They are usually loud, drunk and in recent times have started dressing up in 'traditional' Yorkshire garb - cloth caps, collarless shirts, waistcoats. Some males even dress as women in cheap tatty skirts and shawls.
It's embarrassing, it's cheap, tawdry and tacky. It's not the pubs fault - they make shedloads of money from this image. But if you like to have beer in a quiet yet congenial atmosphere, avoid this place at weekends.
Ghastly. Just ghastly.
15 Oct 2011 21:13
The Three Stags Heads, Wardlow Mires
There's a big problem with this pub. It is, as previous posters have said, absolutely wonderful. But it's small, and if all the positive postings about it were to attract too many people, it would lose its charm.
Go on a wet and misty Saturday lunchtime in Autumn, preferably when there are no walkers about. Choose a quiet time if you possibly can.
The owner, Geoff Fuller, runs the pub on his terms, and you must respect this. If you don't, your presence there will not be welcome, and this will be made clear.
It's a fabulous, fabulous pub. It would be my local of choice.
27 Sep 2011 18:15
The Devonshire Arms, Cambridge
A Milton Brewery pub near the station, with a selection of said brewer's beers and guests. If you like Milton Beers you'll love this place.
25 Aug 2011 19:09
Went to Cambridge for a small pub crawl and never got much further than here. Superb range of well kept and well priced real ales from local brewers (Oakham was very much in evidence). Very friendly and handy for the railway station.
25 Aug 2011 19:07
One of the better Wetherspoons. It's multi-roomed, and thus far cosier than some of the large 'spoons conversions. Good beer range, and fine quality, at Wetherspoons prices.
11 Jul 2011 18:41
Good pub with a wide range of beers from independent brewers. Additionally, you don't need a mortgage to buy a pint.
11 Jul 2011 18:33
The Castle used to be a traditional town centre boozer - a bit rough, but cheap and friendly. It's been done up a bit since then, and is a tad more gentrified, although not without some of its former charm. But the prices! �3 a pint for Robinsons is just having a laugh! Go to any of the Holts pubs in Manchester to see what a local brewer should be charging for their beer.
11 Jul 2011 18:30
Very friendly landlord, and some well kept beer. A bit disconcerting to see the net overhead catching pieces of falling plaster from the remarkable ceiling! Surely funds could be found for its restoration?
11 Jul 2011 18:22
The Smithfield Hotel, Manchester
Always a reliable port of call on the Manchester Northern quarter round. Decent prices, and a good range of beers.
11 Jul 2011 18:20
Classic Manchester pub, but the prices are getting silly. �1.75 for a half of Chocolate Marble, and many other of their own beers above the �3 a pint mark.
Come on chaps, you've got the profits on the brewing and the retail profits. How can the Angel just down the road sell beer for �2.60?
The Marble is a classic pub, but sadly, a lot of people, myself included, are being priced out.
11 Jul 2011 18:17
Visited this pub twice during our recent canal holiday and had no problems with either the beer or the food. 6 beers on offer and the ones we had (Adnams Broadside and Bass) were fine. Perfectly adequate without being exceptional.
23 Jun 2011 07:21
Not far from the Trent and Mersey Canal. Beer from Hook Norton and UBU (Purity) - both in good condition.
23 Jun 2011 07:18
The Fox and Anchor, Wolverhampton
Large pub by the Staffs and Worcester Canal. Decent enough with beer from Hook Norton, Timothy Taylors and Everards. Sadly both the Hooky and Taylors ran off while we were there and we were told nothing would be replacing them.
23 Jun 2011 07:16
The Harvester, Long Itchington
Went here during a holiday on the Grand Union Canal. Long Itchington is something of a beer mecca with three pubs in the Good Beer guide and a beer festival in May involving all 6 pubs in the village. The Harvester is a fabulous pub - friendly and good quality beer (from Adnams, Hook Norton and Dark Star when we visited). A bit of a walk from the canal, although the landlord showed us a short cut back, which crossed some fabulous ridge and furrowed fields.
23 Jun 2011 07:13
The Hinchcliffe Arms, Hebden Bridge
Actually I think it's three handpulled beers, but they're so good I tend to lose count!
22 Jun 2011 15:46
The Hinchcliffe Arms, Hebden Bridge
An excellent country restaurant / pub in an attractive woodland setting. Four handpulled beers available usually including Golden Pippin from Copper Dragon, and a beer from Oakham Brewery in Peterborough (Bishop's Farewell, Citra, and beers from the Oakademy of Excellence range, amongst others). Food is of a high standard, and there's a special early evening menu if you get there before 6pm.
The 'C' bus from Hebden Bridge runs hourly and will get you to the the top of the road leading down to the Hinchliffe..
22 Jun 2011 11:04
On a recent stay in Porthmadog, this was the pub we went to again and again. Very friendly with good beer and a mixture of locals and visitors. There's a door onto the southbound patform so you've plenty of time to sup up and make a dash fro the train!
16 Mar 2011 11:49
One of the better pubs in Porthmadog. Beer generally locally brewed and the prices are lower than average
16 Mar 2011 11:45
Friendly pub with a good choice of local beers. Worth trying the food, too.
16 Mar 2011 11:44
Good and varied range of real ales on offer at reasonable prices (if you're a CAMRA member, show your card for 20p a pint off). The decor - minimalist, modern, and a bit clinical - may not be to everyone's taste but the quality of beer amply compensates for the lack of 'pub atmosphere'
9 Feb 2011 07:59
Deservedly popular, but that popularity brings a whole host of its own problems. The trouble is that customers come in waves - every time a train stops, a crowd of beer/rail enthusiasts pile in and the place is chaos. If you are thinking of visiting go on a midweek lunchtime session - you'll get served straight away and will actually be able to move around a bit!
30 Jan 2011 08:44
Impressive former bank - worth going into for the place alone. That said, it's actually a very decent Wetherspoons in its own right. The beer in varied and cheap - the real ales were �1.75 a pint, and this at a time where most other pubs in the centre average around �3.20. Try the large Scottish breakfast at a tad under �4 - it will set you up for the day.
3 Dec 2010 16:28
Always high on our list of 'must visit' pubs in Edinburgh. Good choice of beer (Brewdog, Atlas amongst others). 20p a pint discount from CAMRA members on production of a membership card (as at Dec 2010)
3 Dec 2010 16:23
Friendly pub on Rose Street with a good choice of real ales
3 Dec 2010 16:18
The Commercial Hotel, Slaithwaite
Good choice of beers, all from independent breweries. House beer from Empire Brewery (200yds along the canal) is only �1.90 a pint. Railways station 5 mins up the hill and a bus stop for Huddersfield very close.
4 Nov 2010 18:41
Lovely old pub with good beers. In fact this is the local CAMRA branch's Pub of the Year. Try the pork pies, made by a local butcher, and to die for!
20 Sep 2010 16:04
The Shrewsbury Hotel, Shrewsbury
An above average Wetherspoons with friendly staff and some good beers including the wonderful Thornbridge Jaipur (5.9% abv). A useful halfway pit stop between the Salopian Bar and The Armoury.
20 Sep 2010 16:01
Enthusiastic landlord serving a good variety of beer. Oakham JHB usually on. When we were there there was also the very hard to find Bathams bitter.
20 Sep 2010 15:59
The Coach and Horses, Shrewsbury
Good beers. Seems to be quite a local's pub and all the better for that. Certainly worth putting on a Shrewsbury crawl.
20 Sep 2010 15:57
Good range of beers including a house beer brewed by Phoenix of Greater Manchester. An impressive venue with a good mix of customers.
20 Sep 2010 15:55
Good real ale pub with (when we visited) an emphasis on locally brewed beer. Lovely to sit out in the garden and watch the Severn, and life, go by!
20 Sep 2010 15:53
The Admiral Benbow, Shrewsbury
Friendly local with probably the best choice of real ales in town.
20 Sep 2010 15:51
Shepherds Rest, Sowerby Bridge
Good beer, friendly landlady. Best pub in Sowerby Bridge.
12 Aug 2010 19:49
A shadow of its former self. Now frequented by people who don't know any better. I cannot speak too lowly of this ghastly place.
12 Aug 2010 19:44
Good range of beer in a pleasant pub. White Lion from Bobs Brewery in Ossett always available.
6 Aug 2010 15:00
A quite stupendous range of beers available yesterday including a good range of their own brewery beers and a couple from Thornbridge. One of the best pubs in the country.
6 Aug 2010 14:59
The Smithfield Hotel, Manchester
Somewhat dark and dingy, but the beer is ok and good value. You can stay here too for �20 a night.
6 Aug 2010 14:57
One of the regular ports of call on the northern circuit. The real ale is ok if a little uninspired. We tend to stick to the Krombacher. Can get very busy.
6 Aug 2010 14:56
Visited this pub yesterday. Disappointing choice of beer (only 3 of the 8 handpumps were in use). Worth popping into though, if only to see the remarkable decor - especially the ceilings. Do have a look at the restored ceiling in the far room.
6 Aug 2010 14:54
I think you must just have been unlucky, Catswhiskers, because in my frequent visits to the Watermill I have never had a bad meal.
Regarding your assertion that the Strongbow contained at least 10% water, I take it you mean over and above its normal water content of about 95%. If so I do hope you have contacted Trading Standards, because diluting drink is such a way is a criminal offence. I do hope you can justify your claim.
11 Jun 2010 17:43
The Old Hill Inn, Chapel-le-Dale
Not quite the place it used to be. Back in the 70's it was a cavers' and walkers pub - rough and ready. It was not unusual to find cavers trying to traverse the walls withoug touching the ground, or to weave their way in and out of the cart wheel spokes. Sodden socks would be hanging in front of the fire, gently steaming. It was a place to drink, get drunk, and stagger back to your campsite or bunk barn.
The rot set in when it changed its name from the Hill Inn to the Old Hill Inn. It now has an emphasis on cuisine, and the owner is world famous as a sugar sculptor - his work is on display. And as you might guess, with such sophistication comes a hike in price.
All very impressive I'm sure, but give me the Hill In of the 70's any day.
6 Jun 2010 20:39
Interesting cellar bar. If you're over 6ft tall mind your head! A good selection of real ale including beer from Great Heck brewery - quite hard to find.
6 Jun 2010 20:16
Interesting comment about the smell in an earlier post, because we had the same experience a while back;
But on the last visit, no problems. Friendly and helpful bar staff and a good selection of real ales (bit pricey but hey, this is York)
6 Jun 2010 20:14
Ossett Silver King is a welcome regular beer at this pub.
They don't allow groups of people. So if you're in a group, go in two..by two..by two.. by two etc etc.
6 Jun 2010 20:10
Decent pub, not always easy to find.
And it's pronounced 'Acorn' not 'Ack-horn', if you need to ask a local person.
6 Jun 2010 20:06
Very friendly little bar just off the market and the world famous Shambles. Although some regret the tie up with Thornbridge, I always find the beers from that brewery excellent. Their house beer, Pivni, is well worth a try, as is Wild Swan, only 3.5% alcohol but packed with flavour. And they do have occasional guests (from Kelham Island when I last visited). It also has an extensive range of bottled and draught lagers, including the wonderful Czech beer Bernard.
6 Jun 2010 08:48
Every now and again, I walk out to this pub, and I always regret doing so. It's very unwelcoming and the beer is somewhat mundane. Last time I went, they didn't even have their flagship beer on (Castle Rock Harvest Pale). The PubCo Tynemills need to take a long hard look at this place - it's not doing their reputation any good at all.
6 Jun 2010 08:40
Brigantes Bar and Brasserie, York
Great pub from the small Market Town Taverns chain, who have several pubs in the Yorkshire area. Good range of local beers.
6 Jun 2010 08:37
We tend to avoid the Maltings these days. The landlord is aggressive and rude. He seems to forget that customers make paydays possible! The beer is passable, if a little uninspiring, and with a pint of Roosters nudging the �3 mark, its expensive, even for York.
For those coming to York by train, a suggestion; rather than doing the main tourist drag towards the York Minster over Lendal Bridge, turn right out of the station and follow the walls round to Micklegate Bar. You'll avoid the Maltings and come across such gems as the Brigantes and the Ackhorn.
6 Jun 2010 08:34
Large open plan barn style pub with a good choice of real ales including its own house beer. An extensive food menu (look at the blackboard for specials). Can get very busy on Friday and Saturday evenings.
2 Apr 2010 09:32
Unlikely looking outlet for real ale, but worth a visit. Decent prices and a good choice. Just a few doors down Montpellier from the famous Betty's Tearooms.
31 Mar 2010 21:27
The Coach and Horses, Harrogate
Decent enough pub overlooking part of Harrogate's famous 'stray' - an open field like area in the town centre. Beer was Daleside and Copper Dragon and others (Tetleys I think was there). The snacks are sold in aid of a childrens' hospice. One snack is called 'Dragon's Testicles' - unfortunately they'd sold out, so we may never know what they were/are.
31 Mar 2010 21:23
Spectacular Wetherspoons. The (predictable) understaffing meant we had to wait a bit, but the quality of our beer was excellent. No problems here at all, and an enthusiastic and friendly manager added to the experience.
31 Mar 2010 21:18
Visited this pub recently. We were expecting high prices (being in Harrogate), but honestly �2.95 for Copper Dragon Golden Pippin in a back street pub is madness, especially as, 50 yards away, you can get the same stuff for �2.70. Even that is a bit pricey (it's �1.80 in our local club). An amusing pub dog, mind you, and no problems with beer quality. Just greedy pricing.
31 Mar 2010 21:13
Fine pub owned by the people who run the West Riding Licensed Refreshment Rooms at Dewsbury, and the Sportsman's in Huddersfield. It's in the cellar of a spectacular building, an old textile 'selling warehouse', designed to impress visiting buyers. Have a look at the intricate stone carvings of monkeys, owls eagles, parrots etc. before you go in the pub. After a visit, the huge dog sitting on its haunches right at the top of the building may appear to move, but don't worry, it's not real you know.
30 Mar 2010 14:01
Always a port of call when we're in Bradford. Real ales tend towards the popular pale hoppy types and the prices are very good. Handy if you want a curry afterwards, as there's one of Bradford's better curry houses just along the road (The Sweet Centre).
30 Mar 2010 13:32
This is an ex pub. It has ceased to be. I think it closed about 10-15 years ago and is now boarded up awaiting planning permission.
30 Mar 2010 13:25
Along with the Brewery Tap, this is one of Oakham's 'Oakademy of Excellence' pubs so you can expect a monthly limited edition special from that brewery.
The venue, a hundred year old Dutch grain barge, is impressive. How on earth did they get it there, with low bridges both upstream and downstream!
23 Mar 2010 17:53
JHB and Bishop's Farewell always on. What more need one say!
Well just one thing. If you're walking from the station, don't head straight for it or you'll end up having to cross dual carriageways and vault barriers. Use the bridge to the shopping mall to cross the road, then turn left.
23 Mar 2010 17:47
Drove past today and yes it's closed, but sold. Someone with vision could well revive this pub - it's the nearest hostelry to the new Keighley College, with a new ASDA just across the road. So there's the potential for both students and dads escaping their shopping duties.
Come on Copper Dragon, Ossett, Goose Eye, Naylors! This is a gold mine waiting to happen!
23 Mar 2010 17:40
Yes definitely unique. Always slightly hot dark and steamy from all those gas lamps, and I'm not sure how thorough their cleaning regime is but hey, what the heck - this is a classic ale house and definitely worth stopping off at for a pint.
You'll either love it or loathe it!
23 Mar 2010 17:34
Had an excellent late afternoon here recently. The Indian (I think) landlord is a real character, and the beer is always on form. Makes a useful stopping off point on a crawl from Haigys and the New Beehive towards the centre of town.
23 Mar 2010 17:28
An imaginative conversion of an old swimming pool, this Wetherspoons outlet is certainly better than its sister pub in Centenary Square (a Lloyds No 1).
Despite some of the previous comments, we usually chat to the duty manager or other members of staff, and, with one or two exceptions, are impressed by their knowledge of and enthusiasm for real ale.
Cannot fault the quality of the beer.
23 Mar 2010 17:22
The Shoulder of Mutton, Bradford
As someone said previously, this is a 'must visit' pub, even if you are not a Sam Smith's fan (there's always the Pure Brewed Lager if you dont like the Old Brewery Bitter).
23 Mar 2010 17:17
The original ale house in Bradford, and in the 30 plus years I've been going there, it never fails to deliver. Red Lion White Lion from Bob's Brewery in Ossett always available. This is a beer everyone should try.
23 Mar 2010 17:12
A good reliable ale house with a good choice of guest beers, at lower than average prices. Not far from Bradford Forster Square railway station
23 Mar 2010 17:09
I fully endorse the positive comments about this place.
Don't worry too much about the dog thing! They're only allowed in the left hand bar, so if you are dog-averse, turn right and you'll be fine.
23 Mar 2010 13:57
Rather saddled by being classified as 'Holbeck'. Come on! This pub is in Leeds - only a 5 minute walk from the railway station. It's a real survivor - a small local boozer in a sea of concrete office blocks. To find it, leave Leeds Station, go under the 'Dark Arches' and beyond that new monstrosity known by locals as the Dalek or the Hoover. Its on the right just after that.
13 Mar 2010 18:02
The Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge
Definitely one to visit if you're after real ale in Hebden Bridge. 4 regular beers including Taylors Landlord and Copper Dragon Golden Pippin and 4 changing guests. Food is good as well (you have to book if you want to eat on a Sunday). Has a cider festival twice a year.
13 Mar 2010 17:52
Excellent pub. Just visited its annual beer fest and I think I'll be back next year. 48 beers all at �2.20.
13 Mar 2010 17:43
Historic I suppose, but has 'pubco' written all over it. I give it the benefit of the doubt every time I'm in Leeds, and every time, I wish I hadn't! After 40 years of visiting the place I ought to know better, but it's iconic in a Leodensian sort of way.
13 Mar 2010 17:39
Jubilee Refreshment Rooms, Sowerby Bridge
Newly refurbished pub at Sowerby Bridge railway station in the style of a typical railway buffet. Good choice of beer, nearly always from local independent brewers.
3 Mar 2010 15:14
Now brewing again after some years. This pub is a must. Go soon before it changes.
If visiting from Huddersfield, get the Bus to Marsden Hard End (what a name!) and get off at Linthwaite Church. Cross the road and walk down Tommy Lane.
23 Feb 2010 18:21
Now 18 handpumps for beer and a couple for cider, plus several lagers/continental beers from barrels and literally hundreds of bottles. There are even plans to start brewing on the premises (the plant is already installed!)
This is the pub that all others have to look to. It would undoubtedly be in BITE's top 10 were it not for the popular bias towards the London area and against the provinces.
23 Feb 2010 18:10
The King's Head is one of the best ale houses in the area - not just Huddersfield, but West Yorkshire. If you're paying a flying visit to Huddersfield make sure you go to this pub rather than the Head of Steam at the other end of the platform.
Beers tend towards the pale and hoppy/citrussy type and prices currently are around the �2,20/30 a pint mark. Sometimes our pub crawls of the area never get further than the Kings Head!
23 Feb 2010 18:00
The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch
A classic East End pub of the type that are sadly now so few and far between. It's the sort of pub you can go into as a stranger and leave as a good friend - there's always someone there to chat to if you happen to be on your own.
The beers are always in top condition (the Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold is superb) and by London standards very cheap.
Not easy to locate. If it's your first time, I bet you walk up and down Brick Lane a few times before you find it!
15 Feb 2010 09:04
Much improved in recent months due to a change of tenancy. Beers in this Mitchell Inn pub are, unsuprisingly, from York, and Everards.
Not open on Mondays.
7 Jan 2010 19:59
Really superb pub - always a 'must visit' on our frequent trips into the Aire Valley. Bob's Brewery White Lion or Dark Star Hophead usually available. And, as if this wasn't enough, there is a singing Moose in one of the rooms.
The owner, Brighton Bill, is well known in local CAMRA circles. Truly a legend in his own lunchtime!
7 Jan 2010 19:52
I suspect that the previous comment refers to the Robin Hood Inn at Pecket Well, rather than the one at Cragg Vale.
The Robin Hood at Cragg Vale is a friendly community pub with a good choice of beer. When I recently visited, the guest beer was Abbeydale Moonshine (and all guests are at �2.10). The food looks good value - I particularly like the idea of an enormous bowl of chips to share amongst friends.
Slightly odd opening hours. 3pm from Monday - Wednesday, 12 noon other times. Served by the C Bus from Hebden Bridge. Dog friendly.
7 Jan 2010 19:47
Decent enough pub. Surely chav man's remarks are a bit tongue in cheek. He cannot be serious.
Anyone in this area should visit, if only because of the history of the place. That said, the choice of beer is as predictable now under Fullers' control, as it was previously under Punch Taverns. Fine if you like England's most popular beer, Fuller's London Pride, or Scotland's, Heineken Deuchars (yes, it ain't Caledonian any more), but for beer afficionados, there are better places within a few hundred yards.
6 Jan 2010 16:34
This is our second visit to this classic village pub. The beers, from Abbeydale, Bradfield, Oakwell and Blue Monkey (all relatively local breweries) were in good form. Sadly we didn't have time for food, but what we saw coming out of the kitchen looked good quality and plentiful.
There is a good bus service to the village including the bus we were using, the 173 Bakewell-Castleton. Looking at the timetable, there are also buses from Sheffield, Buxton and Chesterfield.
31 Dec 2009 09:30
Excellent back street pub with a good choice of real ales (there's always one from East Coast Brewery in Filey). Well worth seeking out.
13 Dec 2009 17:26
The Fernandes Brewery Tap and Bier Keller, Wakefield
Fernandes just gets better and better. If you're a fan of pale and hoppy beers this is the place to go.
13 Dec 2009 17:23
Contrary to earlier opinion, this is a gem of a pub. The beer is normally from Thwaites and Copper Dragon, the food is all home made and reasonably value (try their 'Monsterburger' - two large handmade beefburgers in a bun)
I've been visiting it for 30 years now, and have never had any problem with the staff, the quality of food and beer and the general ambience of the place. The only somewhat quirky thing is that they don't do chips, and if you even ask for them, you are expected to make a donation to the local Mountain Rescue as a penalty - and what a worthy cause that is.
Opening times are a bit variable. Worth checking before you go there. If you're walking and find it closed, it's a long long way to the next hostelry. (although on Saturdays and Sundays from Easter to October, there's a bus service from Hebden Bridge).
30 Jul 2009 19:25
Called in here whilst on holiday. The place itself looked promising but the beer and service were quite simply appalling.
We ordered two pints of Wadsworth Horizon. It was quite clearly off, with that cidery quality you get with beers that are well past their best. When we took them beck, the landlord told us that there was nothing wrong with the beer. This was backed up by a group of locals all of whom, bar one, agreed that there was nothing wrong with the beer. We ordered two pints of something else (for which we were charged), and whilst we were drinking them, we noticed the landlord furtively sloping off into the cellar, from which various clankings suggested that a barrel was being changed!
One to avoid.
26 Jul 2009 17:37
Excellent hotel / restaurant with a public bar serving four real ales, one of which is normally Pictish Brewer's Gold from Rochdale, and the others constantly rotating guests from small independent breweries. The bar has received Pub of the Season, and Pub of the Year awards from the local CAMRA branch.
14 Jul 2009 09:09
The Three Stags Heads, Wardlow Mires
Best experienced in wet, cold and windy conditions. Once through the door (make sure you close it after you!), you'll feel you've gone back in time 60 or more years. There's an assortment of fairly rough and ready furniture and a magnificent range complete with bread oven (still in use - you can buy some buns if you want). The beers are from Abbeydale in Sheffield and invariably in good condition. Beware the house beer - it's strong (8%).
The pub can be reached by bus from Castleton and Hope (rail connections to Manchester and Sheffield), but do check times as it's an infrequent service. If you're a bit early, try the transport cafe opposite. You can get a full English breakfast and mug of tea, and if you're still hungry, spotted dick and custard.
Oh yes - make sure your mobile phone is switched off before going into the pub. You have been warned!
8 Jun 2009 20:10
Excellent pub - well worth a visit. There's a bus which meets most train arrivals at Silverdale Railway Station, and which will take you to the pub's drive - just ask the driver. Also known as (we were told by the locals) "The Munsters"
8 Jun 2009 19:44
Haigy's, Manningham
Sadly, Haigys is now closed. Another great Bradford pub bites the dust.
17 Jul 2016 20:09