The Best Pubs in Yorkshire

As picture-perfect Yorkshire villages go, Nun Monkton – situated between Harrogate and York – takes some beating. The Alice Hawthorn Inn started life in 1781 as The Bluebell and was later renamed after a successful racehorse, which was itself named after the daughter of the local blacksmith. Inside, it oozes charm and character, while the newer garden rooms show a contrasting contemporary edge. Be sure to order something from their Mibrasa charcoal oven.

It would be hard to envisage owner Michael Ibbotson not being the face of the 17th-century Durham Ox – and he certainly knows how to run a successful pub. The cooking is hearty and original, the specials are well worth a look and be sure to leave room for dessert. The building overlooks the Vale of York and the homely bedrooms in adjoining outbuildings make an excellent base for visiting nearby Castle Howard and Helmsley.

The Pipe and Glass is a destination dining pub which has continued to grow and mature over the years, without forgetting what lies at its heart – the cooking. Devoid of gimmicks and clever tricks, the kitchen uses prime local produce in dishes created with obvious passion and skill. Add to this genuine hospitality and some luxurious bedrooms, and you have the ultimate in Yorkshire pubs.

In the further north of Yorkshire, close to the scenic Wensleydale Valley, you will find The Sandpiper – tucked to one side of Leyburn's busy market place. Jonathan Harrison has been at the stoves since the turn of the century and runs things in a ‘proper’ Yorkshire way, with cooking that shows both a strong classical and seasonal base. Two bedrooms retain all the character of the 17th-century property; try to line up your stay with the Friday market.

The scenery of West Yorkshire is still heavily punctuated with historical reminders of the Industrial Revolution. Shibden Mill, hidden away at the bottom of a steep wooded valley, started life as a corn and spinning mill before becoming an inn in the late 19th century. The monthly changing menu offers dishes that have an ambitious edge but are hearty and full of flavour, with Yorkshire produce to the fore. Open fires and low-hanging beams offer a cosy feel to enhance your visit. The restored Piece Hall in Halifax is just a short drive away and well worth a stop before or after your meal.

North Yorkshire without The Star Inn at Harome seems unimaginable, such is the reputation of this long-standing MICHELIN-Starred pub. The 14th-century thatched building includes a characterful bar that’s just the place for a pint, with the two-roomed restaurant at the opposite end the home of the top-quality cooking. Hearty yet refined dishes utilise an abundance of Yorkshire produce, come packed with flavour and are free from over-elaboration.

Run by the same team as MICHELIN-Starred ventures Roots in York and The Black Swan in Oldstead, this charming inn has the happy distinction of overlooking the ruins of Byland Abbey – adding a little bit of history to your visit. While many pubs are leaning away from their traditional fare, the chefs here eschew that trend by sticking to the classics – and executing them marvellously. A heavy dose of skill and refinement is brought to the likes of sausage and mash with onion gravy, while local produce (much of it from their own farm) provides delicious natural flavours.

Every village needs a good local pub, and The Lime Tree Inn provides just that for the residents of Great Ouseburn. In fact, it’s such a fabulous place that it must pull in plenty of punters from the surrounding area too. A team that includes plenty of locals run the place well, with the cooking providing exactly what’s needed – generous portions of colourful, flavoursome food using Yorkshire produce. The chefs make their own bread and ice cream every day, only adding to the pub’s already considerable appeal.

They don’t mess about at this old-school inn that dates back to the 19th century. The décor has a vintage style, with its simple wooden floors and furnishings, while the menu is based on British comfort food classics that are executed with a skilled hand so that they burst with flavour. Heartiness is very much the order of the day here, with the friendly service adding to the warm and cosy feel. The pub sits within the North York Moors National Park, too, making it the perfect base for exploring the windswept beauty of the region.

Having been a fixture of the Yorkshire dining scene for some years, Richard and Lindsey Johns are currently plying their trade at this lovely pub packed full of charming details. It’s located in the adorably named village of Wombleton, which sits in the hinterland between the North York Moors and the Howardian Hills, both brilliant areas for hikers with a fondness for spectacular scenery. The cooking is exactly what you’d expect to find here, in all the best ways, with straightforward dishes providing ample flavour and coming in generous portions.