HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 50 – NORTH YORKSHIRE PART I of 2

Well, after a long gap, we return to “Half a dozen pubs…” and three difficult counties to complete England. Don’t worry, Tayside will be easier.

Actually, that’s SUCH a big county I’m going to split it in two, so you can have a round dozen. I make the rules.

A southern five first ?

We start in the home of the UK’s most famous pub cauliflower;

York – Crystal Palace

Because a tourist has to visit York, and has to nip in a Sam Smiths pub.

Read the rules, and bring your Kodak.

Yes, it’s a Sams. A symphony in brown, absolutely spotless, bargain NBSS 3.5 OBB, and a cheery welcome.

Ask the landlady to point out BRAPA Mansions.

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Another tourist honeypot up next. I really like Harrogate,

and over the years beer quality has been as good as anywhere, even if there’s been a tendency to the modern beer cafe of late.

Harrogate – Hales Bar

Hales might not have the ultimate draw these days,

but the Hales Bar had the widest mix of drinkers I saw in Harrogate all night, which is my definition of a great pub.

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Yet more tourist town pubbing as we head for the coast,

Scarborough – North Riding

where the Lemon Twist is as underrated as the the walking.

Some great pubs in the centre, but it’s the North Riding you want,

A serious beer bar, decanted into a proper pub for locals and visitors.  Heaven.

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Next up a return to “posh” York, close to Castle Howard with its mysterious Bass triangle in a field.

Slingsby – The Grapes

Well, the Beer Guide may have kicked the Grapes out after a lone year in the spotlight, but it can be the Carlisle ’74-75 or Swindon 93-94 of my blog and claim my final spot in North Yorkshire.

Sunday night is often dead in rural village pubs; the Grapes sticks on pizzas and is packed with folk of all ages,

in one of the quirkiest places I’ve ever seen.

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The southern bit of North Yorkshire between Castleford, Doncaster and Selby, probably known by an ancient ceremonial name of “Scrogshire”, gets a bad rub in the GBG, the half-dozen entries relegated to a little box outside the main map.

Beal – Jenny Wren

But the Jenny Wren, just outside Kute Knottingley, should have you beaten a path up the A1/A645 to a flagstoned village pub with great welcome, bench seating,

terrific Rudgate beers and proper chips.

And I spent my birthday (22/12) there. A winner.

Five more northern ones later…

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 “HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 50 – NORTH YORKSHIRE PART I of 2”

    1. I find “the rules” a bit fussy if I’m honest (says he, picking the Sam Smiths !) and I thought the beer quality average on my last visit, but I can see the appeal, particularly for the lone drinker. The Maltings is also great but about to change hands or worse.

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    2. Difficult city to pick one pub from, York. I’ve always liked the House of Trembling Madness. However, the beer range has definitely suffered since the explosion of “craft” beer. It used to be a good place for Bamberg beers on draught including, once,, a seasonal from Schlenkerla.

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      1. Yes, I liked the Tremblings.

        I guess I was aiming this series at the average tourists rather than beer tourists, though the Tremblings could still be a highlight of a cultural trip.

        The Crystal Palace feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and most folk would find the keg Sovereign and Stout perfectly drinkable.

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      1. Oh yes the Beer Engine. I do like the Beer Engine, but I agree it isn’t in the top 4 in the UK. The pub I always end up going back to in Skipton is the Boathouse. Good beer and always a warm welcome. Also its position on the canal towpath ,makes it ripe for hilarious accidents in the dark after a few pints.

        Cheers. Robin

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  3. The RM Observer’s Book Of Pub Flooring Materials would likely be as thin as his one on Birdlife Of The World, I’d guess.

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  4. South North Yorkshire and North North Yorkshire, very good. I’m a bit confused by mention of Castleford and Donny tho. East West Yorkshire and North South Yorkshire perhaps?

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