by Yorkshire is renowned for its brewing tradition with some of the biggest names in the business, including Theakston and Samuel Smith. But it also has a thriving microbrewery sector, producing ales with distinctive names such as Riggwelter and Seven Deadly Sins.
Unsurprisingly, there is a wealth of places to satisfy the county’s thirsty drinkers, from atmospheric drovers’ inns in remote Dales villages (dogs and muddy boots welcome) or from Victorian brasseries in the city center to smart country pubs or hipster joints selling obscure craft ales to beer geeks. Below we reveal the best pubs in Yorkshire.
For more inspiration, check out our holiday guide to Yorkshire and the best hotels, restaurants, beaches and things to do in the area.
Find a bar or pub by area
North York Moors and surrounding area
Birch Hall Inn, Beck Hole
This eccentric pub should not survive in the small town of Beck Hole as it is very tiny and well off the beaten track. But these qualities are, of course, their charm. Customers squeeze into a miniscule room, with space for three tables and a fire, and order from the porch bar to be served. But the half-dozen real ales, including the house ale ‘Beckwatter’, are well kept and there’s a small menu that includes pork pies, wedge-sized butchers and beer cake. In the summer, sit in the back garden by the stream. Before you leave, pop into the sweet shop next door – across the porch – for some old fashioned gems and licorice sticks.
Contact: 01947 896245; facebook.com
Prices: £
The New Inn, Cropton
This family pub on the edge of the moor is a welcome stop for a refreshing pint in the middle, or at the end, of a day’s walking. Many of the six or so cask ales (book a tour) are from Cropton Brewery, the pub in the park next door, which started in 1984 long before microbreweries were fashionable – indeed, the village has a brewing tradition of go back forward. until the 17th century. Classic sales include Killing Monks and Blackout and is a real Yorkshire lager. Traditional bar meals or more formal dining are also available.
Contact: newinncropton.co.uk
Price: £
The Horseshoe Inn, Levisham
Run by the Wood brothers, Charles and Toby (front of house chef and head chef), this handsome pantile-roofed pub in Levisham has a decidedly personal feel and a smart (but not fancy) style with polished wooden floors. , open fires and a wood-panelled bar. Black Sheep and Timothy Taylor ales are on tap as well as Yorkshire cider and around 15 wines by the glass. The food is always full – perfect for a day’s walk on the nearby moors or in Dalby Forest – and there are tables and benches on the village green beyond.
Contact: horseshoevisham.co.uk
Prices: £
Durham Ox, The Branch
This 17th century inn, in the small village of Crayke, has all the traditional features including flagstone floors, an inglenook fireplace, brick and exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings, plenty of brass and copper and old fashioned fixtures. , but he was given a smart brush up. As well as four cask ales – mostly of Yorkshire origin, such as York Brewery and Timothy Taylor’s – there is a good list of wines by the glass. The food is good above average – including lobster as well as steak pie and ale – and there’s a smart courtyard garden for warmer days.
Contact: thedurhamox.com
Prices: £
Yorkshire Dales
The Red Lion, Burnsall
Situated by a river in the heart of Wharfedale, next to a stone arched bridge, beneath fine greenstones and in a village of unassuming stone cottages, there is location, location and location. This also means it’s popular with everyone, from locals and mud-shoe walkers to friends and family here just for the food (cleverly cooked classics). But there’s plenty of space in its atmospheric nooks and crannies, including the long, 16th-century wood-panelled bar. Choose from a good range of Thwaite cask ales and, if it’s warm, get a table in the riverside garden.
Contact: redlion.co.uk
Prices: £
The George & Dragon, Hudswell, near Richmond
This pub in the small town of Hudswell outside Richmond is Yorkshire’s first community-owned pub. Saved from permanent closure by energetic local staff, it reopened in 2010 and now houses the village shop as well as community allotments in the back garden. With a number of CAMRA awards under his belt, he has around 10 batch and keg beers, mainly sourced from smaller local breweries. Always on tap is Wensleydale Brewery’s fruity malt Hawk, and Rudgate York Brewery’s Ruby Mild, which has a nutty flavour. No pint would be complete without one of their delicious homemade pies, either.
Contact: georgeanddragonhudswell.com
Prices: £
The George, Hubberholme
You need a bit of effort to get here – it’s at the head of Wharfedale where the road narrows to climb over to Wensleydale via Langstrothdale. The long and low, white-washed pub, originally a farmhouse, stands beside the river, across from the church (Yorkshire writer JB Priestley, whose ashes are buried in the churchyard). Inside everything is as comfortably traditional and uncluttered as you’d expect – low beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls, solid wood furnishings, a coal fire and brass and copper clutter. Around four cask ales from Yorkshire breweries are served at the bar, and it would be a shame to miss out on one of their highly-acclaimed homemade pies. On warmer days, enjoy both pints and pie on the patio.
Contact: thegeorge-inn.co.uk
Prices: £
The Craven Arms, Appletreewick
In a split location, overlooking the Wharfe valley from tiny Appletreewick (Ap’trick to the locals), this free-flowing pub has around eight hand-pumped ales, mainly from small Yorkshire breweries such as Hetton’s Dark Horse and Saltaire Brewery. Above average draft cider and pub food, too. Three small bars are decidedly traditional – rugs on flagged floors, wooden sets, fires in cast iron ranges – creating a warm, homely atmosphere; soon strangers are talking to each other. For warmth, everyone will be in the beer garden or on the roadside terrace drinking in the sights.
Contact: craven-barn.mobi
Price: £
East Yorkshire and the Coast
The Bay Hotel, Robin Hood’s Bay
At a split where the road ends above the dock in the coastal village of Robin Hood’s Bay, you’ve got as many views as beers. It looks straight out to sea and up and down the coast in both directions. Even if the wind is biting, you’ll want to see it outside on one of the two terraces, although you might get wet if the tide is in. Inside, expect patterned carpets, varnished wooden tables and red banquettes, as well as a real fire in winter. Wainwright’s Bar on the basement level, which is clad in timber, is so named because the pub is the end of Wainwright’s 192 mile coast to coast walk. It doesn’t have to be done to enjoy a pint of one of their four Yorkshire ales.
Contact: 01947 880278; facebook.com
Price: £
Towns and cities
Ale Whitelock House, Leeds
Situated on the long, narrow courtyard of Turks Head, between Briggate and Trinity Street, this gem of a Victorian pub is easy to spot – despite its reputation as the city’s oldest boozer (founded 1715). Inside so long and narrow, it positively shines with mirror paneled walls, Victorian tiling and a polished copper bar where you could do your make-up. Choose from one of around 10 casks and draft ales that come mainly from Yorkshire, such as Kirkstall. Pale Ale or Ilkley Brewing Company’s Mary Jane. There are tables outside where you can sit if it’s hot, and if you’re feeling peckish you can order a great beef pie and ale.
Contact: whitelocksleeds.com
Prices: £
Friends of Ham, Leeds
Despite the slightly odd name – this place is as much about cheese as it is about pork when it comes to food – this light and airy bar, close to the station, serves beer geeks but not a serious way that puts an end to others. It offers around 15 regularly changing cask and keg beers, all from independent or craft breweries, and a huge range of bottled and canned beers from the same, including Trappist, sour fruit, lamb and gluten-free. There is also a good range of organic and natural wines, as well as special charcuterie and cheese plates, as well as tapas dishes.
Contact: friendsofham.co.uk
Prices: £
How we choose
Every bar, venue or experience on this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveler – and consider service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
