There’s little that can beat a handsome pub set in a gorgeous slice of Yorkshire countryside. Here’s our pick of the ones worth travelling for.
A hand-pulled pint, a plate of delicious home-cooked food, a roaring fire and then, when you glance out of the window, the verdant glory of Yorkshire. What could be better? From long-cherished locals to foodie destinations, the county’s best country pubs near Leeds await your visit.
The Roebuck
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The vibe: Perched high on a hill above Otley, The Roebuck sits proud. It’s not short of character, solidly built in the 18th century from Yorkshire stone, while inside there are wooden beams, rough walls and a much-coveted padded armchair in prime position next to the open fire.
Brews and bites: Saltaire Blonde and Black Sheep Best are always on cask, while there’s a superior wine list if the ales don’t tempt. Sandwiches are comfort food par excellence, served with the beef dripping chips of dreams, but the pies are the main event. Perfect pastry, hearty fillings, lashings of real gravy. Heaven. Their Sunday roasts draw the people in from far and wide.
The Roebuck, 1 Roebuck Lane, Newall with Clifton, Otley, North Yorkshire, LS21 2EY.
Cook House
Credit: Studio 2 Interiors
The vibe: The style here is way more luxe than your usual Yorkshire country pub, with plush banquettes, flattering lighting and a doozy of an enclosed terrace that blurs the line between inside and out. Yet there’s a log fire-warmed snug too and, beyond the picture windows, views of the local surrounds that will nourish your soul.
Brews and bites: The bar boasts local ales – a splash of Vocation, a drop or two of Black Sheep – Yorkshire gins and a vibrant, varied wine list. Hot drinks are made with Leodis coffee, perfect after a bracing walk. The pub food is a step up from the usual fare – classics sit side by side on the menu with the likes of Thai spiced arancini and saag aloo. Sunday roasts are a surefire hit too.
Cook House Bar & Kitchen, The Manor, Bradford Road, Drighlington, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD11 1AB.
The Boundary House
The vibe: On those days when the sun graces us with its presence, the extensive outdoor seating area of The Boundary House is the place to be. Spill out from the inside with a beer and your dog and bliss awaits. Inside there are real fires and soft chairs to sink into but, let’s be real, it’s that sun trap outside that really elevates this place.
Brews and bites: Take your pick of a rotating selection of hand-pulled beers, with a couple of local ales always on offer. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to grub, with a vast menu taking in everything from oozing baked Camembert to kebabs, pastas and big, bold burgers.
The Boundary House, 24 Church Side, Methley, West Yorkshire, LS26 9EE.
The Fauconberg
The vibe: This old coaching inn tempts you in from its pretty village-that-time-forgot with a log burner sat squarely in the centre of an imposing stone fireplace, then keeps you there with even warmer hospitality. Rooms are comfy and, if you’re staying over and planning to dine at Tommy Banks’ nearby Michelin-starred Black Swan, the friendly Fauconberg staff can help make your dining experience extra special.
Brews and bites: Hand-pulled real ales can be enjoyed in the gorgeous flagstone-floored interior or, when the sun peeks out, you can head out onto the cobbles and watch Coxwold go by. Sundays are stellar, with locally-sourced meats and plenty of veggie options. The rest of the menu is hale and hearty, perfect for soaking up a well-kept beer.
The Fauconberg, Thirsk Bank, Coxwold, North Yorkshire, YO61 4AD.
The Bull
The vibe: Set in a particularly picturesque bit of Skipton, The Bull is a stone hunk of a pub that rises out of its surroundings like a friend welcoming you home. It’s a dog-friendly delight, with biscuits on the bar for your four-legged friend, crackling fires and vintage furniture that might even tempt you to snooze after a bracing walk.
Brews and bites: The Bull is a freehouse, so you can dive into a brilliant range of real ales, with weekly specials and some lesser-spotted beers. Wine drinkers are in for a treat too, with a huge list covering different price points. Food is always spot on, with the daily menu offering everything from light bites to comforting fare and delectable puddings.
The Bull, Broughton, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 3AE.
The Royalty
The vibe: Otley isn’t short of prime pubs, but The Royalty sits above them all – literally. It’s on top of the Chevin, offering the kind of uninterrupted views that has plane-watchers flocking to it to watch the comings and goings from Leeds Bradford Airport. Inside, you’ve got walkers getting refreshments, locals supping ales and dogs curling up on the floor in the tap room.
Brews and bites: Pub classics adorn the menu – solid roasts, gammon and egg, generously filled sandwiches – while the pub’s freehouse status means there’s a shifting range of excellent ales, many locally brewed. When it’s bright and warm, take your pint out into the beer garden and take in the panoramic views – it doesn’t really get any better.
The Royalty, York Gate, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 3DG.
Shoulder of Mutton
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The vibe: The epitome of a village inn, The Shoulder is an ivy-festooned chunk of lovely, warmed by a log burner and plonked down in gorgeous Kirkby Overblow. There’s a friendly Yorkshire welcome awaiting, and the surrounding countryside is so picture perfect that you might be tempted to stay over in one of the rooms, both of which have sumptuous super-king beds.
Brews and bites: Walking into a pub and seeing Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Black Sheep Best on the bar tells you that you’re in safe hands. The tempting menu caters for all, with a separate gluten-free list and home-cooked gems such as braised shoulder of mutton with dauphinoise potatoes and a cracking curry. Sunday roasts are immensely popular, so make sure you book.
Shoulder of Mutton, Main Street, Kirkby Overblow, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 1HD.
The Plough Inn
Credit: Graham Hogg licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use.
The vibe: A 17th-century pub with a whitewashed exterior, this is a family-run Thwaites place with a real sense of hustle and bustle. Stop by after a stroll through the surrounding countryside and you might walk in on a darts match, a dominoes showdown or the whole cricket team descending after their latest match nearby.
Brews and bites: Thwaites Original is always ready and waiting for you, along with a couple of guest ales to keep things interesting. The kitchen produces some truly moreish dishes, so loosen your belt a notch and get ready for chefs specials like homemade beef chilli, roasted vegetable tagliatelle, and a selection of speciality pizzas.
The Plough Inn, Main Street, Burton Salmon, North Yorkshire, LS25 5JS.
The Cow and Calf
The vibe: In a building with plenty of stories to tell – it has been a boarding house, a private home and a hotel specialising in ‘water cures’ – The Cow and Calf is perfectly perched next to some of Ilkley’s most famous country landmarks. Pull up a seat outside and cast your eyes over the wonders of Wharefedale from one of the most popular country pubs near Leeds.
Brews and bites: The Cow and Calf is owned by Vintage Inns, so there’s a huge drinks range, covering everything from cocktails and cask ales to no and low-alcohol options. Classic pub mains are lovingly prepared, but save some room on a Sunday for the trio of meats – beef, pork belly and turkey with all the trimmings is a real belly buster.
The Cow and Calf, Hangingstone Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8BT.
The Inn, South Stainley
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The vibe: An inn in the proper sense of the word – there are multiple rooms to lay your weary head down in here, all of them cosy and comfy – this spot, just a few miles from Ripley, is more than worth a drive out. Wood crackles in the log burner, while on sunnier days, there’s a pub garden in which you can breathe in the fresh Yorkshire air.
Brews and bites: A well-stocked bar greets you with an array of spirits (including a vast gin selection) and wine, while ale lovers can sup from a pint of Black Sheep – or perhaps a Rudgate or Timothy Taylor offering. Food is taken seriously in the kitchen here, with them doling out delicious plates like BBQ sharing boards and chargrilled steaks and chops from local farms.
The Inn, South Stainley, Ripon Road, South Stainley, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 3ND.
The Bingley Arms
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The vibe: It’s a pub that has stood proud for over 1,000 years, making it Britain’s oldest. Inside it’s all nooks and crannies, with original historical features for you to spot, such as a Dutch oven and priest holes. There’s a wonderful beer garden out the back, dressed with benches and tables for some alfresco drinking and dining in a glorious corner of the world.
Brews and bites: It ticks all the boxes for the lager and big brand drinkers, but ale enthusiasts will be happy to see the likes of Ossett’s White Rat and Yorkshire Blonde available too. The food punches above its weight, with crabcake niscoise salad, moules mariniere and a generously portioned Sunday roast with Yorkies and all the works.
The Bingley Arms, Church Lane, Bardsey, West Yorkshire, LS17 9DR.
The Airedale Heifer
Credit: Airedale Heifer
The vibe: You’ll be greeted by a wire sculpture of the heifer itself when you rock up to this converted barn, a pub that dates from the 17th century. It’s smack in the middle of some wonderful walks, with easy strolls to Crossflatts and Riddlesden. Heavy beams and cosy corners conjure up the perfect atmosphere whether you’re dropping in quickly or settling in for a session.
Brews and bites: Beer lovers rejoice – there’s an on-site brewery and the Heifer is very much the brewery tap. The Bridgehouse range takes in porters, a blond, a golden ale and several bitters. The seasonal menu serves up homemade comfort food and something that should be on every menu – a brace of Yorkshire puddings swimming in onion gravy.
The Airedale Heifer, Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 5LY.
The Devonshire Arms
The vibe: This isn’t your average Yorkshire country pub. It’s a grand affair, with high-end rooms, a spa and it’s also a popular wedding venue. Yet it warrants inclusion both for the standard of food on offer – see below – and for its serene setting in the Bolton Abbey estate, close to cycle routes, woodland trails and the River Wharfe.
Brews and bites: From a pint and a snack to afternoon tea, picnic pack-ups to a brasserie menu, there’s no shortage of things to do at the Devonshire. Book in at the latter and indulge in Lindisfarne oysters, cote de boeuf and charred hispi cabbage. Can’t decide? Opt for one of their platters – they might just be too good to share.
The Devonshire Arms, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, West Yorkshire, BD23 6AJ.
The Boathouse Inn
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The vibe: When it comes to country pubs near Leeds, this is as pretty as it gets. This is a long and lovely single-storey pub with a terrace overlooking the River Aire, sweeping past this popular Saltaire local. The building has stood in place since 1871, and a complete refurbishment has bought it bang-up-to-date while retaining the charm of the exterior.
Brews and bites: Cask and guest ales – we’re in Saltaire, thus the oh-so-sessionable Saltaire Blonde is almost always present and correct – sit next to imported lagers and a good, if unspectacular, range of wines and spirits. The pork pie with mushy peas and mint sauce has crept up to £8, but it’s perfect pub fare, as are the Punjabi-style curries.
The Boathouse Inn, Victoria Road, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, BD18 3LA.
The Wellington Inn
The vibe: This is prime hiking country, and there’s little better after a hike than dipping your head into a welcoming country pub and ordering a hand-pulled pint. The Wellington wears its 18th-century origins well, with original features and a setting among rolling hills that will ease your woes as you look out at the miles of greenery. Take your pick of the Tap Room or Gun Room.
Brews and bites: A brace of Timothy Taylor ales, something from Black Sheep, all tailor-made to be enjoyed in front of the Inglenook fireplace or roaring fires. If you’re peckish, the 12” wood-fired pizzas will fill a hole, the steak & Black Sheep ale pie will handle a bigger one, and the Sunday roasts could fill a small ravine.
The Wellington Inn, Main Street, Darley, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 2QQ.
The Sun Inn
The vibe: The Sun has been around for over a quarter of a millennium but, more importantly, the current owners have been in place for a long-time too, turning the pub into a divine destination. Walkers, cyclists and locals prop up the bar, the seats outside capture the sun, and inside, it’s all beams, dark wood, rough-hewn stone and crackling fires. Perfect, in other words.
Brews and bites: Beer-wise, you’re golden. Landlord, Theakston Best and Saltaire Blonde head up a list that also has the Beavertown and Cruzcampo lined up too. Enjoy a retro classic with the chicken-in-a-basket from a menu that roams far and wide – there’s a separate gluten-free menu and, on Sundays, a competitively priced carvery.
The Sun Inn, Brame Lane, Norwood, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 1SZ.
The Craven Arms
Credit: Drew Emery
The vibe: A stone building in beautiful Burnsall, The Craven Arms has gas lighting, vintage wooden furniture, a number of open fires and dark corners and snugs aplenty. Step outside for a pub garden with views that will have you either sighing with pleasure or posting endlessly to Instagram.
Brews and bites: They had us at house-made pickled eggs. They kept us there with a great range of local beers, some from microbreweries. Walkers might be welcome with a cup of hot Bovril, while food is a bit more ambitious than the standard pub, with the likes of venison steak with Jerusalem artichoke puree or pan fried ox liver. Whisper it: it just might be the perfect pub.
The Craven Arms, Burnsall, Appletreewick, West Yorkshire, BD23 6DA.
Shibden Mill Inn
The vibe: Wonky windows and so much greenery it looks like the 17th-century converted mill is about to collapse under it all – this is a looker of a pub. Prepare to duck if you’re over 6 foot – it’s all low beams, open fires and a bucolic surrounding that could have been painted. The Shibden Valley really is a stunner.
Brews and bites: If you’re just popping in for a pint, that’s all well and good. But this is also a place that does serious food, with awards and rosettes to show for it. There’s a taster menu with wine flight, packed with things like crab scotch egg with bisque and rhubarb macaron. But you can also just grab a hot ham hock sarnie to keep your beer company.
The Shibden Mill Inn, Shibden Mill Fold, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 7UL.
The Square and Compass
The vibe: North Rigton is a charming village and this is a pub to match. It’s a robust stone beauty that looks like it could survive anything the elements could throw at it – ideal for somewhere minutes from Almscliffe Crag and a popular stopping-off point for ramblers. The inside feels decidedly more modern than the exterior but still has charm galore.
Brews and bites: The Square and Compass keep it very Yorkshire, with a range of ales that takes in Timothy Taylor’s, Theakston’s and Leeds Brewery. Add to that a better-than-standard wine list and a spritz menu, and drinks are sorted. Food is just as good, with must-tries like smoked salmon & mackerel terrine and Thai duck curry sharing kitchen-room with roasts adorned with giant Yorkies.
The Square and Compass, North Rigton, Harrogate, West Yorkshire, LS17 0DJ.
The New Inn
Credit: The New Inn
The vibe: It might describe itself as a ‘scruffy pub’ but The New Inn at Appletreewick is a real winner. It stands surrounded by the majesty of the Yorkshire Dales, the perfect place to head to after a long walk with your dog, working up a thirst. The inside will make you snuggly, with a trio of fires, great banter from the owners and even a little village shop inside.
Brews and bites: A real ale lover’s paradise, there are up to 16 beers on offer at any one time at The New Inn, all of them local and from breweries like Daleside and Craven. Food is all rib-sticking pub classics like pie and chips or steak. It closes early some nights – 5pm on Mondays, 7pm on Wednesdays and 6pm on Sundays – and they won’t serve you a half, so get there even earlier.
The New Inn, Main Street, Appletreewick, West Yorkshire, BD23 6DA.
The Alice Hawthorn
The vibe: A joy of a country pub that also has some truly excellent and award-winning rooms to stay in, The Alice Hawthorn has served Nun Monkton as a drinking hole since 1787. It’s in prime position next to the village green, so grab a table outside or, in the cooler months, try and bagsy the prime spot next to the open fire.
Brews and bites: Nip in for a pint of something local or, if you prefer wine, you’ll spend a fair amount of time browsing the huge and very interesting wine list. The food is more than worth the journey too, whether that’s the roast rack of saddleback pork with apple relish on a Sunday, or roast monkfish with creamed potatoes in the week.
The Alice Hawthorn, The Green, Nun Monkton, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 8EW
The Durham Ox
Credit: The Durham Ox
The vibe: Head east from Easingwold to the village of Crake and The Durham Ox is ready to welcome you. Explore the castle and the church then round off the perfect day in a 300-year-old pub, with your pick of the tap room or middle bar to pull up a chair in. It’s country pub bingo inside – open fire, stone flags, beams and oak panels.
Brews and bites: A pint of Timmy Taylors and a half of Black Sheep are ideal starters, but the place also boasts an expansive fizz list, its own gin and some high-end wines. Make a trip for the food too – a country pub with freshly shucked oysters by the dozen, a sparkling seafood platter and a Sunday beef celebration? Can we move in?
The Durham Ox, West Way, Crayke, York, North Yorkshire, YO61 4TE.
The Abbey Inn
The vibe: Owned by Tommy Banks of Black Swan fame, this a much more relaxed affair, a 19th-century inn that is now a family and dog-friendly pub with rooms. Dark wood combines with sash windows, stone walls and an open fire to conjure up the perfect country pub atmosphere.
Brews and bites: Once again, the Yorkshire classics are lined up on the bar – Black Sheep and Timothy Taylor. But, as you’d expect from the growing Banks empire, there is really good wine, sherry, vermouth and world-class cocktails. The food doesn’t come cheap, but it’s top-notch – we’re talking roast venison haunch, a Dexter beef burger and an ambitious vegetarian menu.
The Abbey Inn, Byland, York, North Yorkshire, YO61 4BD.
The Lime Tree Inn
The vibe: Betwixt the Moors and Dales, The Lime Tree Inn is a pub with rooms (very nice ones) in the sublimely situated village of Great Ouseburn. It manages the tricky balancing act of marrying old-school touches with a brand-new building, and while the courtyard lacks a little charm, it’s a great place to be with a beer when the clouds disappear.
Brews and bites: Food is taken very seriously here – they even grow many of the vegetables that crop up in the dishes. A tasting menu spans fragrant cured beef, pan-fried monkfish and roast duck breast. Meanwhile, Sunday roasts here are a lavish affair – 30-day aged beef with a slick of homemade horseradish, say – best washed down with your pick of Yorkshire ale.
The Lime Tree Inn, Branton Lane, Great Ouseburn, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 9RS.
The Carpenter’s Arms
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The vibe: Refurbished a few years ago, The Carpenter’s Arms is now a great country retreat close to Thirsk, with views of the Vale of Mowbray and only moments from the North York Moors. The inside is modern but comfy, while they’ve really made the most of the outside areas with a huge garden made for relaxed viewing of the surroundings.
Brews and bites: There’s a good range of beers and, as you’d expect from a place that’s food-forward, a wide selection of wines too. Hungry travellers can order up Korean chicken, crispy pork belly, 28-day aged British beef and beer battered Hartlepool haddock. It’s perfect fuel if you’re planning on setting forth into this neck of the woods.
The Carpenter’s Arms, 1 Church View, Felixkirk, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 2DP.
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