The White Horse in Jackson Bridge.
A decoration at The Butcher's Arms.
West Yorkshire has the most and best pubs in the world. Really. Of course, I know some great pubs in North Yorkshire. Even some beyond my beloved Yorkshire. But the area around Holmfirth has more great pubs than you would ever believe. Most serving local hand-pulled ales.
And many serve delicious pub meals. We either shared a meal, which was perfectly acceptable, or got two small meals. We discovered that most pubs will provide small portions, even if that's not noted anywhere. Even with all our hiking, one English breakfast and a small dinner is all we can eat in a day. We also drink half pints. Heck, that way we get to have two different ales and trade. Then maybe have another two.
In Holmfirth, we can start right across the road from Springfield House at The Postcard. It's usually a quiet neighborhood place, and the beef or lamb "sizzlers" -rare, of course - are a lovely dinner. Head into town and find the lane hidden between the Station and Huddersfield roads, behind the bus station, for Hervey's. A rather younger crowd; more snacks than meals. Right by the bus station, and the Picturedrome, is The Bridge, with the best lamb chops on Earth and good ales. Another search, across Victoria Square and down the alley behind the tiny cobbler shop, is The Nook. A really good variety of guest beers. A further walk, down Woodend Road, takes you to The Victoria, recently bought by a nice young couple. And we're really proud that we found The Farmer's Arms, on a side lane in the Liphill Bank neighborhood. Even the landlord asked, "How did you find this place?" I think we had the most fun in here, because it was crowded and we got to talk to so many interesting people.
A little further up Woodend Road, we found the Shepherd's Arms, in Hinchliffe Mill. Open at noon, then in the evening, it doesn't serve meals but has good ales and a nice landlady. And way up, in Holme, is the Fleece: a national treasure. The couple who run it are so friendly. Good ales, and fantastic Sunday mid-day dinners. Although we were told that we'd have to reserve a table well in advance, that's true for large parties. We two small people fit into a table in the chimney corner each Sunday - whenever we got in. The roast lamb and roast pork are to die for. And we got (unlisted) small portions - which were huge.
We found 5 great pubs on our Jackson Bridge walks. On the way, in Scholes, we enjoyed The Boot and Shoe, with nice people, nice ale, and a sweet dog. In Jackson Bridge, we visited The Red Lion, across the little valley from Clegg's terrace - an easy stroll. Nice people, good ales, and, although we didn't eat there, meals. Of course, anyone who watches Summer Wine has to visit The White Horse, whose interior will be familiar from the early episodes. Again, good ales and nice people. When folks ask how pubs compare to bars, I think of The White Horse; I've never seen a bar with a full toy box. And then, along to Hepworth and The Butcher's Arms, whose exterior is used in Summer Wine episodes, where you can get a nice pint (or two halves). And on the way back, there's The Wooldale Arms where we had good drinks and even better chatting with locals and visitors, including a gentleman who has his own pewter mug over the bar.
|
The White Horse in Jackson Bridge. |
A decoration at The Butcher's Arms. |
On our longest excursion, we'll consider the Peak District honorary Yorkshire, as far as pubs go. The Strine Inn, on the Strine, naturally, was a lovely and ancient (1270) building with good ale. And The Snake Inn in Snake Pass had good ale and quite a collection of photos of the practice dam bombing on Ladybower Reservoir in WWII and of some incredible snowdrifts in the pass.
Our trip west past Dovestone Reservoir took us to Uppermill and The Church Inn, recommended by Kev, the fireman we met at Digley Reservoir and who worked across the street from the fire station across from Springfield House. We met a recent friend, met some interesting dogs, and had some great ales brewed behind the pub.
Talk about lucking out. Huddersfield had a Dark Mild Festival at the pubs one Saturday. And the pubs had lots of examples on ahead, just to test, I guess. So we went in for the festival - but also mid-week. Huddersfield is the largest village in England - because it chooses not to become a town. We took the bus mid-week: a real treat. A wonderful train station, a real downtown with an open market, enclosed markets, no-drive areas. And some great pubs. We discovered The Albert above the enclosed market. Then The Grove above the bus station. We have never seen so many hand-pulled ales in one pub! And, of course, two visits to The Station, at the train station. It's really one of the old waiting rooms, with fantastic brews. On the Saturday of the festival, we went to The Rat & Ratchet twice - with a break to let ales settle. It was wonderful.
The beautiful front bar at The Albert - took two photos to get it all. |
The Grove. |
And the Colne Valley certainly has some good pubs. On the way over from Holmfirth, just outside the far side of Meltham, there's a side road to Will O' Nat's, which is worth the detour. We love The Tunnel Inn at Tunnel End: good ale, good food, and really good people. And The Riverhead Inn in the center of Marsden is another great stop.
The Tunnel Inn. |
The Riverhead Inn. |
But the icing on the trip was our visit to The Sair, up the hill in Linthwaite. That's pronounced "LIN-thwait" if you're posh (or related to my maternal great grandmother - perish the thought) or "LIN-fit" if you're like us. It's a little brew pub with the best ales on the planet. And every old, non-working, clock that you can imagine. And Danny the pub dog. You could get lost in there, and love it if you have a supply of the ales.
 |
The bar at The Sair. |
If you like hand-pulled cask-conditioned ale, you'll love West Yorkshire!
Back to the Holmfirth Page
Back to Nancy's Home Page
Back to the Ciaffone Family Home Page