The Black Bull Inn

The rooms and bathrooms were nice, and the location was very good. Reception was attentive, and breakfast was very good too. The restaurant was OK: we went for curry night, which was just OK. It was odd being asked to secure a dinner reservation with a credit card when the restaurant was literally empty.

We were given a menu when we arrived, so I ordered the sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce from it. What came to the table clearly wasn't that dish, and I couldn't even tell what cut of meat or sauce it was. When I raised it, the waiter admitted he hadn't seen the menu we'd been given and that the restaurant was still using an older version. They offered to replace it with what I'd originally ordered. By then, the three others in my party had finished eating. I waited another 45 minutes for the replacement, which was extremely disappointing for £33: a thin, fatty minute steak with some sauce, followed later by a piece of broccoli and then chips. It didn't come close to the quality or value you'd expect at that price. When the waiter asked for feedback, we gave honest, constructive comments and were met with outright rudeness. He laughed, dismissed our concerns and said we were wrong. At the bill, we politely asked for the steak to be removed after the long wait and all the mistakes. He replied, “You eat it, you pay for it,” and ignored how badly things had been handled from start to finish. Both male staff members we dealt with were incredibly rude and unprofessional. For a restaurant claiming this standard and charging these prices, customer issues shouldn't be handled this way. We won't return or recommend it.

We found this pub while looking for somewhere to stop on the way home from the Dales, and what a find. The Sunday lunch was superb, the staff were welcoming and attentive, and the place is beautifully decorated. It also looks like a lovely place to stay.

That roaring wood burner makes the bar feel especially cosy, and the pub is warm and friendly. I loved the Sunday roast, and the breakfast menu has tasty dishes with a good choice. There’s an interesting wine list too. I’ll be back!