….NEW MALTON

IMG_20170614_121815.jpg

That’s the odd thing about the touring life.  It took me 50 years to get to Falmouth, then I visit six times in a year.  I seem to have visited Skipton every year of my adult life to tick off the sole new Guide entry. Thus far, I’ve never been to Aspatria; my loss I’m sure.

And now back to Malton for the 4th time in 2 years. For a small town, I’m still finding something different each time.

New Malton.PNG

Last time here the Spotted Cow by the cattle market made it seem loveably old-fashioned, like a small Bury St Edmunds before the Cambridge overflow arrived.

Visiting now, the town felt more like a small Saffron Walden or large Norton, packed with smartly dressed gentlefolk on their way to shops called “Harrison & Hargreaves“, “Victoria Faith” and “Roundthwaite & Woodhead“, odd names for pet shops.

IMG_20170614_115851.jpg

As Richard Coldwell writes here, this is an odd town to host two such crafty breweries as Bad Seed and Brass Castle, whose Tap was sadly closed (again) on my visit.

But I did stumble across the other burst of independent vitality in town.

Talbot Yard Food Court needs a bit better signposting to exploit its potential, but I can attest to the quality of Roost Coffee and Bluebird Bakery. The best espresso and pasty combination of my week.

By way of contrast with this youthful enterprise, this town’s new GBG entry is very old Malton.

IMG_20170614_121509.jpg

I think I must have muttered “Wow” when I stumbled through the stained glassed door of the Blue Ball and missed my footing several times in the “maze like interior” described by WhatPub. I like to make an entrance.

My sort of pub, clearly, with mature locals settling in for their lunchtime sessions on Landlord, which was so good it made me wonder why this had only just got in the Guide.

If you can find anything wrong with the Bell from these photos I’ll be astonished.

IMG_20170614_121745.jpg

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

16 thoughts on “….NEW MALTON”

  2. Great looking pub in what looks to be a really pretty village. Don’t turn it into a foodie site, but I could go for a picture of that pasty.

    Like

    Reply

  4. Love Malton, more for it’s typical North Yorkshireyness, Brass Castle and Bad Seed rather than the run of the mill ‘old mens boozers’ (it’s an official term, I read it in Cosmopolitan, publicans should take note Cosmo readers have far more disposable cash than old men; that’s why there’s never anyone in Sam Smith’s pubs).

    On the presumption that Malton is Yorkshire’s Food Capital and Yorkshire is the centre of the world then ergo; Malton is the World’s food capital! Joking apart it’s a lovely little ‘still working’ town, as opposed to so many, especially Southern, towns which are merely picture post card facades of reality.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      2. The Swan & Three Cygnets by the bridge in Durham is a relatively recent opening, I think. I’m sure there are plenty of place, such as Hazel Grove, where a Sam’s pub might do well. The current estate comes across as a bit of an accident of history.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Turn round and drive back on the A64 to Taddy if you want one of those, the town’s full of ’em. Sadly they are none too busy, thus disproving the theory that drinkers are price sensitive?

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment