A Guide Pubs and Inns in Nidderdale and the Washburn Valley, the Yorkshire Dales

Last Update
06-09-11

Yorkshire Dales.com

A few
Nidderdale related
websites to visit

Visit Nidderdale

Brimham Rocks

How Stean Gorge

Nidderdale Billiards
and Snooker

Nidderdale Cricket League

Nidderdale AONB

Nidderdale Museum

Nidderdale Angling Club

Stump Cross Caverns

Yorkshire Dales Fly Fishing

Some Pub & Brewery related websites

Craven Arms, Appletreewick, Skipton

The Swan Inn, Addingham

One Eyed Rat, Ripon

Timothy Taylor Brewery, Keighley

Copper Dragon Brewery, Skipton

Theakston Brewery, Masham

Moorhouses Brewery, Burnley

North and West Yorkshire / East Lancs CAMRA Links

CAMRA Homepage

Keighley and Craven CAMRA

North West Yorkshire CAMRA

Harrogate and Ripon CAMRA

Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA

Bradford CAMRA

York CAMRA

East Lancs CAMRA

Pubs and Inns in Nidderdale
and the Washburn Valley

'I will lift up my eyes unto the hills
From whence cometh my strength'

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NEWS: The Stone House Inn has re-opened (Apr 2011)

The Stone House Inn in 1925 - click on the picture to see a bigger version	Open Pubs - travelling down the Dale. Arguably the least well known of the major Yorkshire Dales running from the east side of the Pennines, Nidderdale is still very much a busy working dale. This intimate valley stretches for over twenty miles from its head at Great Whernside, above the reservoirs of Scar House and Angram, down to the edge of the popular spa town of Harrogate. Any inns / pubs on this page which I think are definitely worth a visit have their photographs outlined in colour but that is my own personal opinion of course.
	Middlesmoor - 'The Crown Hotel' Locally owned, somewhat idiosyncratically operated but very genuine and intimate Dales pub with spectacular views of the dale below (one of North Yorkshire's highest pubs at just under 1,000 feet above sea level) . Opened as a hotel in 1818 and since Autumn 2002 run very ably by the popular Malcolm and Caroline Whitaker, and their son John. A very good display of local photographs in the bar. Real fires, excellent bar meals and en-suite Bed & Breakfast available. Draught Black Sheep bitter & usually one guest beer. Cask Marque approved Tel. 01423 755204
	Lofthouse - 'The Crown Hotel' Free House. Welcoming and popular family run small hotel / Inn owned by Clive Newcombe since 1980. Offering rooms, traditional food and inviting public bar. Black Sheep and Daleside beer on draught. The Crown was granted a seven day licence at Pateley Court on 2nd February 1949 after 50 years with a six day licence. The landlord at that time was Tom Bradley, who had been landlord since 1907 but who was exempted from paying rent during both world wars. Tel. 01423 755206
	Ramsgill - 'The Yorke Arms Hotel' 18th Century built Self styled 'restaurant with rooms'. Nationally recognised privately owned Michelin starred olde worlde country hotel and restaurant owned and operated by Bill Atkins and Michelin chef Frances Atkins. There used to be a small public bar but I believe non-diners, and particularly ramblers, are no longer particularly welcome. An archetypal and upmarket small english country hotel in every sense with deep pockets essential ! Tel. 01423 755243
	Wath - 'The Sportsmans Arms' Intimate small country hotel and restaurant at the bottom end of Gouthwaite reservoir and with comfortable and welcoming public bar. Run by the Carter family since 1978 and a more affordable and accessible alternative to the Yorke Arms. Theakstons and Black Sheep bitter. Tel. 01423 711306
	Pateley Bridge - 'The Bridge Inn' Free House - Opened in April 2003 after the licence was transferred from the adjacent Watermill Inn to what was formerly the mill manager's house. Much smaller but light stone and wood interior and a friendly un-pretentious atmosphere. Stone patio garden. Has undergone several changes in management in recent years but remains reasonably busy, especially with visitors and seasonal caravan residents. Bar meals and Black Sheep beers. Tel. 01423 711484
	Pateley Bridge - 'The Crown Hotel' Popular with tourists and locals alike, and the only true pub left in the High Street. Refurbished in 2007. Open all day seven days per week. Bar meals available in small restaurant. Darts and Pool as well. Black Sheep Ale. Tel. 01423 712455
	Pateley Bridge - 'Pateley Club' Members Social Club (visitors welcome). Originally built in 1692 as the Brewery Pub of Metcalfe's brewery (George & Dragon). By 1773 had become the George Inn and in the early 20th Century (?) became the Conservative Club until re-named around 1998, though I think it is still officially called the 'Pateley Bridge Conservative and Unionist Club'. Full size snooker table and darts board. Tetley's bitter. Tel. 01423 711219
	Pateley Bridge - 'The Royal Oak Inn' Ex. Mansfield Inns pub chain outlet - next to Auction Mart. Darts and open fire. Small terrace at front of pub. Run by Robert Jackson since Aug 2003. Bar meals served every day. A bit down at heel maybe internally but normally friendly and genuine enough with good service. Check out the original 1920's tiling in the entrance porch as anybody who knows the historic Golden Ball pub in Cromwell Street, York, will recognise this. Tel. 01423 711577
	Dallowgill - 'The Drovers Inn' Free House. Locally and affectionately known as 'The Little Drovers'. Not technically in Nidderdale but an allowable indulgence as the characterful Drovers Inn has strong connections with the dale, lying about five miles or so eastwards from Pateley Bridge at the far end of Dallowgill Moor. An isolated moor edge pub notable for its tiny 'living room' 1960's feel bar. The pub is owned by Dallowgill shooting estate and as such remains unspoilt and un-commercialised. Closed all day Mondays. Built between 1856-1861 by Joseph Atkinson. Friendly licensee in Steve Plews, with the pub offering bar meals and two/three Real Ales (normally inc. Hambleton Bitter plus one other) Tel. 01765 658510
	Fellbeck - 'The Half Moon Inn' Free House - Fairly isolated pub on the main Pateley Bridge - Ripon road. Food and Real Ale (Black Sheep). Largely bare stone interior with large separate function room. Tel. 01423 711560
	Wilsill - 'The Birch Tree Inn' Recently (Aug 10) bought as a Free House from the Punch Pub Company. The photo features the distinctive painted end wall name which disappeared after Punch bought the pub in the early 2000's. Something of a 'bistro' type interior and emphasis. Tel. 01423 711131
	Low Laithe - 'The Olde Oake Inn' Free House - The Olde Oak is a small mid-dale pub which changed hands in mid-2008. Has a loyal local following and seems to have enjoyed a recent upturn in business. A clean and well-maintained pub which offers bar meals, Sky sports and pool. Only Real Ale at last visit was Black Sheep. Tel. 01423 780247
	Summerbridge - 'The Flying Dutchman' Samuel Smiths House with typical restrained Sam Smith's interior. Tenants seem to change on a very regular basis however and the pub has little atmosphere, with the very cheap beer prices being probably the only attraction. The sign in the photo depicts the famous race horse which won the St. Ledger and Derby in 1849, though the pub was (reputedly) originally named after the famous seventeenth century dutch phantom ship of the same name and just recently the sign has changed again to reflect this. Terraced beer garden to rear. Interestingly, the gents toilets have retained their original pre-war tiling and features. Tel. 01423 780321
	Dacre Banks- 'The Royal Oak' Free House. Locally owned and a pub since being built in the early eighteenth century. Cosy and authentic 'Olde Worlde' feel. Good atmosphere and very popular with a wide range of local people for eating and drinking. Reputedly haunted as well. Accommodation available. Sells a range of Real Ales (normally inc. Rudgate). Small patio area, attractive beer garden but down some very steep steps, an outdoor boules pitch and separate pool room as well. Tel. 01423 780200
	Darley - 'The Wellington Inn' Enterprise Inns - On the main Pateley Bridge - Otley road, The Wellington was greatly extended in the late 1980's by previous owner Robert Booth. Re-opened Dec 2008 having been closed for two months and is well-frequented by locals and passers-by. Open all day seven days per week. Tiled floors, real fires and an extensive food menu as well as guest Real Ales (Copper Dragon's 'Golden Pippin' is on permanently). Darts board and pool table. Comfortable snug with traditional large solid fuel range which is lit through the winter months as are the other fires. Tel. 01423 780362
	Burnt Yates - 'The New Inn' Free House situated on the Pateley - Ripley road. Changed hands privately again in 2006. Opened as a pub in 1810. Restaurant orientated and intimate comfortable interior liberally decorated with antiques and curios. Tetley's bitter and local Rudgate beers. The sloping bar was reputedly made from an oak tree which stood outside the pub. Up to date (2007) photo provided by the current owner Timothy King. Tel. 01423 771070
	Kettlesing - 'The Black Bull' Ex Vaux Inns pub which has recently come under new management as at Dec 2009 and has been slightly re-furbished. Built in 1899 as a coaching Inn. Homely and fairly dark interior with attractive small restaurant. Was once famed for the amount of brassware in the pub but thre seems to be less of this now. Original tiled and clean toilets. Only drawback is bad get-out onto the very busy A59 Harrogate-Skipton road. New signage which was badly needed has greatly improved the external view. Click on the photo to see how the Black Bull looks now. (summer 2011 update - signage changed again) Draught Ales - was Black Sheep and Tetley's but haven't been in for some time. Tel. 01423 770233
	Kettlesing - 'The Queens Head' Free House with an understated traditional interior - The Queen's has been owned by Glen & Louise Garbutt since 1994, and whilst maintaining its long established reputation for good food, now welcomes Real Ale lovers, with Harrogate brewed Roosters beers appearing regularly, as well as Theakstons & the ubiquitous Black Sheep. Tel. 01423 770263
	Birstwith - 'The Old Station Hotel' Locally owned Free House which now offers accommodation in the refurbished stable block. The pub was called simply 'The Station' util its re-opening last year, and was built in the 1850's and originally called 'The Sebastapol' after the Crimean war siege of the same name in 1854. Name changed to The Station some time after the building of the Nidd Valley railway line in the 1870's. Attractive beer garden to rear. Tel. 01423 770254
	Hampsthwaite - 'The Joiners Arms' Busy pub in this large and pleasant village at the very foot of the Dale. This is though very much an edge-of-Harrogate dormitory village with very little social or 'emotional' connection with the rest of Nidderdale. Popular restaurant and separate tap bar. Operated by the same family since 1984. Tel. 01423 771673
	The Washburn Valley The slightly melancholic Washburn valley runs for about ten miles from the West of Harrogate and Nidderdale, down to the River Wharfe near Otley, packing much of historical and natural interest within this distance. It is now best known for its four reservoirs, built between the 1870's and 1960's, and which supply the city of Leeds with water: from top to bottom; Thruscross, Fewston, Swinsty and Lindley Wood which, together with the land around them, also offer numerous recreational activities for visitors. Several pubs lie within the slopes of the valley, with the famous Gate Inn having been closed well before the building of Thruscross reservoir and the abandonment of West End village.
	Thruscross - 'The Stone House Inn' Free House - re-opened 1 April 2011 but not currently serving food Re-opened as from 1 April 2011 but is not currently serving food and is only open from 5pm Mon-Sat and from 11am Sundays. The Stone House was originally an 18th century built farm until in 1868 Jesse Peel (whose brother John ran the nearby Gate Inn near to the reservoir) was granted a licence and ran the pub for forty five years. The pub is spartan inside but has been cleaned, re-decorated and some necessary minor alterations made. It still retains its austere moorland character, situated as it is 900 feet above sea level. A wonderful place to be sat outside (if it's warm enough that is) when the curlews are calling and gliding in Spring and summertime. Black Sheep Bitter & Golden Sheep on draught. Tel. 01943 880325
	Blubberhouses - 'The Hopper Lane Hotel' Enterprise Inns. re-opened 27 May 2010 The Hopper Lane re-opened following a £300,000 renovation and is geared mainly towards food and accommodation but retains an accessible public-bar. The photograph shows the Hopper before it was re-furbished. The Hopper Lane has had mixed fortunes over the years and whether this renovation changes things remains to be seen. It is situated on the main and very busy A59 Harrogate-Skipton road close to attractive Fewston reservoir. However, the views from the front of the pub of a dense wood and a closed garage cum car scrapyard don't do the place any favours. If it were just 1/4 of a mile further down the road where the car park for this end of Fewston reservoir now is, that would make a big difference I'm sure, but it's not... Tel. 01943 880191
	Norwood -'The Sun Inn' One of the area's most well known pubs and established as a pub for over 200 years. Draws patrons from a wide area, particularly from this side of urban West Yorkshire and situated on the Otley-Blubberhouses road. A large stone interior and long-known for live music, its enormous 5th November Bonfires and more recently its Peacocks ! Friendly towards the motorcyle fraternity for whom it has long been a meeting place on weekend Dales tours. Theakston's bitter on draught. Tel. 01943 880220
	Timble/Fewston - 'The Timble Inn' Free House: NOTE: *re-opened Sep 2009*The legendary Timble Inn near to Fewston reservoir closed in the summer of 2004 but has been completely renovated and has recently (late September 2009) re-opened as a small pub/restaurant and offers en-suite accommodation as well. The new interior is a nice balance of contemporary and rustic and it's good to see such a famous pub open again after five years. Closed Monday-Wednesday. Please note the thumbnail photo is an old one taken before 2004. Click on it to see a larger photo of how the pub looks now externally. There is also a 1912 postmarked postcard here. Real Ales: Theakstons Bitter, Copper Dragon 'Golden Pippin'. Tel. 01943 880530
	Newall with Clifton - 'The Spite Inn' (aka 'The Roebuck Inn') Enterprise Inns. The Spite Inn lies up the hill just outside Otley on the road towards Blubberhouses and Nidderdale, but is just inside North Yorkshire and on the flanks of the Washburn Valley. A stone interiored pub dating from the mid-nineteenth century which offers food. The interior is fairly plain but clean and well maintained. The modern name of 'The Spite Inn' apparently originates from a long running feud between this pub and a former next-door pub (now long gone and called The Travellers Rest). The first time I went in this pub (mid 1980's) it was owned by Websters brewery of Halifax. Real Ales at last Visit: Copper Dragon 'Golden Pippin', Taylors 'Landlord' and Wells 'Bombardier'. There is a faded photo dating from 1910 here. Tel. 01943 463063
	Gone but not forgotten...some closed Pubs in the Nidderdale and Washburn Valley area. (in rough chronological order)
	Greenhow Hill - 'The Miners Arms' Free House - as of August 2008 closed (again) after being closed for nearly two years up to April 2008, the Miners re-opened in a much reduced form with only a small side bar open to the public. Recent work on the 'pub' would seem to preclude any re-opening at all and it would seem that 'The Miners' has gone forever. As of December 2009 it was reported that the building had been re-possessed by the banks. The Miners opened as a pub over 150 years ago and is situated in a former lead mining community high above Pateley Bridge. Like many other remote pubs though it had mixed fortunes over recent years. This was the third highest Inn in North Yorkshire at 1250 feet above sea level (after The Tan Hill Inn and The Lion at Blakey, nr Rosedale).
	Burnt Yates - 'The Bay Horse Inn' Free House - The Bay Horse closed at the end of August 2002 following which it lay semi-derelict for some time. Planning permission was passed in April 2005 to convert the Bay Horse for residential and community (day nursery) use and several houses have recently been built in the car park.
	Pateley Bridge - 'The Watermill Inn' Closed Feb 2003. Former Free House and before that a former flax mill (closed over thirty years ago) famed for the 36ft diameter working water wheel attached to the pub which is one of the largest water wheels in England. The license has been transferred to the new and adjacent 'Bridge Inn' which opened on 16 April 2003, with the Mill itself being converted into flats.
	Shaw Mills- 'The Nelson Inn' Closed app. 1994. Small cosy free house which served a hamlet just out of the lower Dale. Converted into housing.
	Darley - 'The Prospect Inn' Closed app. 1996 Former free house situated in the main part of the straggling village of Darley. Converted into housing.
	Pateley Bridge - 'The Talbot Hotel' Built in late 18th Century as the Star Inn. Closed as a pub in 1983. Last landlord Dennis Johnson but still open as a licensed Hotel.
	Low Laithe - 'The Dusty Miller' Closed 1964, the last landlord being Alan Haynes. Until the mid 2000's was still open as a small restaurant, but that has now closed.
	Pateley Bridge - 'The Kings Arms' Closed 1968.
	Thruscross - 'The Gate Inn' Closed and demolished prior to the creation of the adjacent Thruscross Reservoir. The postcard shows the rear of the pub from the road leading down from the Stone House crossroads to West End village. The Gate Inn was built in 1699 by either John Hardisty or John Horsman, the initials 'JH' being over the door. John Peel, brother of Jesse Peel who was licensee of the Stone House Inn for 54 years, was licensee of the Gate Inn for 45 years in the mid-late 19th century, with his daughter Sarah following on as licensee. The pub was compulsorily purchased (along with many other buildings thereabouts) by Leeds Corporation in 1898, with the intention of commencing construction of Thruscross reservoir shortly after. Of course it was to be almost sixty years before the reservoir was actually built. Only the rear foundation wall now remains. From a tree adjacent to the pub a sign used to hang: 'the gate hangs well and hinders none, refresh yourself and pay, and travel on.'
	Pateley Bridge - 'The Black Bull & The Bay Horse' Closed in early 1950's (?) and demolished to make way for High Street Car Park.
	Pateley Bridge - 'The Cross Keys' Built in the 18th Century as the Cricketers Arms, then renamed 'The Shoulder of Mutton'. Bought by Metcalfe's (brewers of Pateley). Closed in 1957. Photograph (with kind permission of Paul Skirrow) shows the pub probably around the turn of the century.
	Blubberhouses- 'The Frankland Arms' Closed in 1903 and demolished in 1907, the Frankland Arms (named after a local landowner, Sir Robert Frankland) was built in the early 1800's to provide refreshment for travellers, and horses, on the stagecoach routes linking Harrogate to Skipton and Otley to Pateley Bridge, which met at this point. This postcard was kindly sent to me by Anthony Hayes of Massachusetts, USA.
	High Birstwith- 'Meg Gate Inn' Closed after the Second World War (circa 1950?)
	Middlesmoor - 'The Kings Head' In 1906, The King's Head transferred its licence from the Ryder family, who had held it continuously since 1760, to Middlesmoor House and John Thomas Dolphin, who surrendered it, also in 1906. (This information via Mr William Glencorse of Kings Head House, Middlesmoor)