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Open Pubs
The Masham page covers the popular and attractive small market town of Masham, situated at the very foot of Wensleydale,
and the village pubs within about a five mile radius of Masham.
The Steam Rally and Sheep Fair aside; in terms of beer and pubs, Masham was, and still is, famous in for the Theakston brewery, a family brewery which sold its soul to the Megabrew giants in the 1980's but recently has come back under the control
of the Theakston family, though Theakston bitter is actually brewed by John Smith's of Tadcaster under contract to Theakstons. The other Theakston beers are still brewed in the Theakston's brewery in Masham.
In the 1990's, one of the Theakston family (Paul Theakston) set up his own brewery on the site of the old Lightfoot brewery (which Theakstons took over after the First World War), and Black Sheep Brewery is one of the largest, if not the largest, independent breweries in North Yorkshire.
Many of the pubs on this page are definitely worth a visit, and for me, the White Bear courtyard in Masham is a very pleasant place to be on a summer's evening, surrounded by the warm Magnesian Limestone brewery buildings.
Masham, along with that other famous brewing town, Tadcaster, lies on the narrow strip of the distinctive Magnesian Limestone which runs the length
of this part of Yorkshire, and whose waters lend themselves to brewing.
Any inns / pubs on this page which I think are definitely worth a visit have their photographs to the left outlined in colour.
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Masham - 'The White Bear' (SE 224 811)
'The White Bear' was re-built in its present location around 60 years ago, the original pub (some 100 yards away) having been destroyed by jettisoned German bombs in 1940. The present White Bear retains a traditional seperate drinking bar, with the stuffed White Bear still above the bar. Comfortable 'bare boards style' restaurant and separate cosy tap bar.
A great place to sit outside when the weather's good, where you can admire the *old brewery buildings, made from the local magnesian limestone. Ironically the buildings in which the present pub is situated originally belonged to Theakston's rival, The Lightfoot Brewery, which Theakston's bought out after the First World War.
Theakston's Bitter & Deuchars IPA on permanently.
Tel. 01765 689319
*the old brewery offices are currently being cnverted into hotel accommodation by Theakstons
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Masham - 'The Kings Head Hotel' (SE 224 807)
Large Market Place hotel.
Popular with visitors for meals. Dark but comfortable 'bare boards' style dining lounge/bar and something of a bistro place now.
Open all day seven days per week.
Theakstons Beers.
Tel. 01765 689295
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Masham - 'The Bruce Arms' (SE 224 808)
John Smiths - small cosy pub in the corner of the Market Place - popular with locals, offering a respite from the summer tourist crowds on a weekend.
Bar meals available.
John Smiths Bitter.
Tel. 01765 689372
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Masham - 'The Bay Horse' (SE 224 808)
Free House? - unfortunately subject to a radical 'pub chain' refurbishment around 2003 which, IMHO, spoilt the pub's largely rural character, turning it into just another market town pub. Offers bar meals and real ales.
Black Sheep Bitter.
Tel. 01765 689236
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West Tanfield -
'The Bull Inn' (SE 269 788)
Free House (Tanfield Inns)- small pub noted for meals and with a very attractive terraced beer garden running down to the River Ure.
Black Sheep beers.
Tel. 01677 470678
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West Tanfield -
'The Bruce Arms' (SE 269 789)
Free House - Changed hands late 2006 and returns to being a pub/restaurant after formerly re-marketing itself as a 'Bistro with Rooms'. All day opening. Full range of beers but have not visited recently.
Tel. 01677
470325
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Nosterfield - 'The Freemasons Arms'(SE 278 805)
Free House - bought by new owners in Nov 2002. Notable for Real
ales, a good fire, food and and a fascinating collection (mainly but not exclusively) of First
World War memorabilia.
Black Sheep, Theakstons, Timothy Taylor beers.
Tel. 01677 470548
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Well - 'The Milbank Arms (SE 267 820)
Free House - closed and re-opened several times in recent years, but recently re-opened under new ownership (June 2004 - former owner of 'The Masons' at Bishop Monkton) and re-furbished very attractively without spoiling the character of the place.
The Small pub in this tiny village on the very edge of the Magnesian Limestone scarp is named after the family who, until the early 20th century, were Lords
of the Manor of Well and Snape, successors to the powerful medieval dynasty of
the Nevilles.
Meals served and York based Rudgate Beer as well.
Tel. 01677 470411
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Grewelthorpe -
'The Crown Inn' (SE 231 762)
Now a Jennings Pub. A coaching Inn or pub since 1624 and formerly 'The Crown Hotel'.
Traditional and pleasant interior.
Jennings Cumberland beers.
Tel. 01765 658210
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Fearby - 'The Black Swan' (SE 194 810)
Free House - owned by ex. football referee John McCourt for over thirty years and now run by his son Sean.
Friendly, though fairly open and modernised pub, notable for Chamber Pot collection and attractive, popular caravan
park to rear of pub.
Beers include Black Sheep bitter.
Tel. 01765 689477
The Black Swan also holds regular Beer Festivals.
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Thornton Watlass - 'The Buck Inn' (SE 235 854)
Free House - characterful and deservedly popular pub on edge of village green. Good range of Real Ales, music, food and cricket on the green. Did have quite a lot of cricket memorabilia inside at one time. Attractive seperate bar room.
Well known also for regular live Jazz music
Tel. 01677 422461
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Some Closed Pubs
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Fearby - 'The Kings Head' (The Fearby Cross) (SE 198 813)
Former small but cosy Free House which closed early in 2004.
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Thirn - 'The Boot & Shoe' (SE 216 859)
Former Free House which closed in September 2002 afer residential planning
permission was granted.
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Grewelthorpe- 'The Hackfall Inn' (SE 229 766)
Closed app. 1994.
Former free house.
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Mickley - 'The White Horse Inn' (SE 229 765)
Closed post-war. Does anybody have more information?
This postcard dates from around 1905, and was kindly sent to me by Ray Laverick.
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