Shoulder of Mutton

On Christmas Day the pub was packed, and Mark and his wife welcomed us with a complimentary glass of Buck’s Fizz and said we could help ourselves to the cheese board and pork pies. We stayed about an hour, then left as things quietened down so the staff could enjoy the day too. We’d first dropped in for a quick drink on Christmas Eve while staying nearby, and the friendly staff and excellent service made it such a good choice that we came back the next day. Mark, the landlord, and his wife, the chef, were both lovely, and you could see how much they cared about making the pub great. If you’re in the area, pop in. It’s a lovely traditional pub, run by an enthusiastic couple. Thanks, Mark in Bedale.

The rooms were nice, with comfortable beds, warm showers, and a good selection of tea, coffee and biscuits. We ate dinner and breakfast there, and both were very good. Mark and Lindsay were friendly, attentive hosts and made us feel welcome. We stayed for two separate nights while travelling to and from Scotland. It’s an excellent pub to stay at, and we’d definitely recommend it. We’ll come back if we’re travelling that way again.

On our way back from York, we stopped in for food and chose the burger since we weren’t in the mood for Sunday dinner. It was honestly the best food I’ve tasted in a long time. Everything on the plate was freshly cooked, homemade and amazing.

We stopped for an evening meal and drinks, and this place really feels like a proper local pub. There’s friendly banter among the neighbours, the service feels genuine, and the pub food and drinks are great. Definitely worth the drive. I’ll go again next time I’m in the area.