The Cavendish, Keighley

 

The Cavendish

84 Cavendish Street, Keighley, Yorkshire BD21 3DF

TEL: 01535 681737

Keighley seems to be short of pubs, this was the only one I saw in the town centre when I was there. It was closed for two years from 2020 until February 2022, when it was bought by the Admiral Taverns group. It was built on the site of a previous pub,  the Oddfellows Arms. In 1899 the brewery T. Ramsden & Sons had acquired the Oddfellows Arms on condition that they demolished it and built a grander pub. In this period Cavendish Street was undergoing redevelopment to make it wider, to accommodate more traffic.

decor - 3

Big open bar space with a pool room at the back.

ambience - 4

I was there during the day, when there was a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. I'm told it gets lively at night.

service - 3

real ale - 1

1 guest ale

Regular beer is Doombar and Boltmaker

features - 4

karaoke and DJ

quiz night

live music

dog friendly

toilets - 3

Disabled access okay, there are no steps into the building

Score 18 out of 30

The Haworth Steam Brewing Company, Haworth

 

The Haworth Steam Brewing Company, 98 Main Street, Haworth BD22 8DP

01535 646059

Does "Steam Brewing Comany" count as a pub name, or is it the name of a company? It was only opened in 2010 in what had been a grocer's shop, by a former rugby player who had previously made a success of reviving a pub in Oxenhope (village a few miles from here) and then opening a bar and restaurant in Scotland. He then decided to move back to Yorkshire and opened his own microbrewery. 

Ambience - 4

decor - 3

dark and traditional

service - 5

very attentive

ale - 4

features - 1

Serves food, medium length day time and evening menus

Toilet - 3

Score 20 out of 30

The Black Bull, Haworth

 

The Black Bull, 119 Main Street, Haworth BD22 8DP 

01535 644254

There has been a pub on the site since the 16th century. The current building dates from the mid-1700s. 

decor - 1

Drab. But comfortable padded chairs and benches

ambience - 2

service - 3

Friendly but slow

ales - 4

features - 2

Serves food

Accommodation

Toilets - 4

Disabled access - there is a ramp up to the side door and an accessible toilet.

Score 16 out of 30

The Kings Arms, Haworth

 

The Kings Head, 2 Church Street, Haworth BD22 8DR

01535 645197

ambience - 1

Overloud piped music

Decor - 3

Pleasingly rustic, dark exposed beams, cream ceiling, stone floors, pictures of old Haworth

Service - 1

A bit 'Yorkshire', a bit dour and unfriendly

Ales - 4

Four real ales named for the tourist trade, Anne, Charlotte, Emily and Branwell, plus two others

Features - 5

TV

Serves food

 quiz night

 live music

 dog friendly

Toilets - 3

Score 17 out of 30

Top Brink Inn, West Yorkshire

Top Brink Inn, Brink Top, Lumbutts, near Todmorden, OL14 6JB

01706 812696

This was built in 1843 and was originally three weavers' cottages. Then one of the weavers applied for a beer licence, to supply the textile traders taking pack horses between West Yorkshire and Manchester. The three cottages have since become one establishment, with an extension at the front to accommodate more dining space. The pub is out on its own, on the edge of a very small village, and close to Stoodley Pike and the Pennine Bridleway.

ambience - 5

decor - 5

It has a slightly cliched country pub decor, with lots of horse brasses on the walls,  but this works. The seating is comfortable, and there are three different areas to sit inside, with outdoor eating areas at the front and the back.

real ale - 4

features - 4

Serves food (medium length pub menu, check their website for the current choices).

It also warrants a point for the location, right under the Pennine hills in the Calder Valley.

Dogs allowed

Children allowed

Service - 5

Very attentive and prompt

Toilets - 5

Pristine

Score 28 out of 30

Stoodley Pike and the surrounding hills

The Shepherds Rest Inn, West Yorkshire

The pub is so rambling that it's difficult to work out which is the front and which the back. The top photo is the view from the car park, the photo below is the view from Lumbutts Lane.

The Shepherds Rest Inn

Lumbutts Road, Todmorden, OL14 6JJ

01706 813437

On the Pennine Bridleway national footpath, and near Mankinholes Youth Hostel, with fantastic views across the Calder Valley. On weekdays it only opens from 5pm.

Decor - 3

Muted, tasteful colours, comfortable seating

Ambience - 4

Features - 3

family friendly with a children's play area

dogs allowed in the bar

serves food

Real Ale -3

Spitfire, Manchester Pale Ale when I was there.

Service - 2

A bit slow and offhand. I had food when I was here, it took longer than usual to arrive. (I find food is generally served in 20-30 minutes in pubs.)

Toilets - 5

Pristine

Score 20 out of 30

Looking northwards along the Calder Valley towards the village of Lumbutts, with Stoodley Pike on the hill on the horizon on the right of the picture.

Cockerels that live at the back of the pub. 

The White Lion

The White Lion

109 High Street, Lees OL4 4LY

TEL: 624 3621

This pub stands out on its own at the top of Lees High Street, and at one time was in Yorkshire, before they changed the county boundary  by half a mile and put it into Lancashire. It hosts events for Yorkshire Day, which is celebrated in the eastern districts of Oldham that used to be in that county.

Ambience - 3

The sign over the door says "Your friendly community local", and it is friendly, if a bit rowdy at times. I didn't get a chance to ask whether it has been designated a community asset. For those who haven't heard of this, it is a method of saving local pubs by making sure they aren't closed down and 'redeveloped' into something else, or simply demolished.

Decor - 3

Wooden floors and furniture, dark green walls and carpets, comfortable seating.

Features- 1

Serves food, a small but good pub menu.

Real ale - 0

Service - 2

The service is good - when you get it. The trouble is, there are a lot of seats in front of the bar and when they are fully occupied by drinkers, it can be impossible to get near enough to the bar to state your order. I hate that situation in a pub because I'm not tall enough to be easily visible. I had to wave a tenner over one of the drinker's heads to get the barperson's attention, and then the bar-proppers were reluctant to move so I could pick up my pint.

I prefer pubs which either only have bar stools at the sides of the bar, or else have a notice that asks patrons to move away from the bar once they've got their drinks.

Toilets - 3

Score - 12 out of 30

Jubilee Refreshment Rooms

Jubilee Refrreshment Rooms

Sowerby Bridge Railway Station

Sowerby Bridge

This isn't really a pub, it's a station refreshment room that serves beer (and other alcoholic drinks) plus coffee and snacks. It was previously the station ticket office, the current managers took it over in 2009 and turned it into the kind of refreshment room that would have been usual at train stations early in the 20th century. It's notable that nearly all the drinks and food served here is sourced from local producers.

ambience - 3

decor - 3

a bit basic looking, magnolia colour scheme, dining chairs round tables. Railway memorabilia on the walls.

ale - 3

service - 4

friendly

features - 3

dog friendly

serves snacks, cakes, pies, and sandwiches and breakfasts early morning

regular meetings for transport enthusiasts and other events such as whisky tastings (see their website for news on events)

toilets - 5

Score 21 out of 30

The Moorings, Sowerby Bridge

The Moorings

No. 1 Warehouse, Canal Basin, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2AG

Former warehouse next to the canal basin in the centre of the town, where the Rochdale Canal meets the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

ambience - 5

decor - 4

comfortable seating, two lounge rooms which overlook the canal basin.

ale - 5

service - 5

features - 2

serves food

dog friendly

toilets - 4

pristine

Score 25 out of 30

 

The Navigation, Sowerby Bridge

The Navigation, 

47 Chapel Street, Sowerby Bridge HX6 3LF

An eighteenth century building in local stone, at the end of a narrow street overlooking the Calder and Hebble Navigation. Pleasant location, can be hard to find by satnav.

ambience - 4

decor - 5

very tasteful combination of pale greys and creams, flowers on the table

ales - 3

service - 0

I didn't get any. Stood at the bar for 12 minutes, the pub wasn't busy with only four customers, no staff appeared. Tapping on the bar didn't produce a response. There was a bell on the end of the bar, but that end was being propped up by two elderly drinkers who refused to shuffle aside for a moment so that I could reach the bell.

features - 2

serves food

pool table

toilets - 0

Didn't need to use them!

Score 14 out of 30

The Queens, Todmorden

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Rise Lane, Todmorden OL14 7AA

01706 819917

This is a hotel not a pub, but I'm including it because it has a downstairs bar that is open to  non-residents. It's a better place for a quiet drink than the lowish score suggests. It is almost opposite Todmorden railway station.

Ambience - 2

Spoiled by intrusive piped music.

Decor - 4

Rather tasteful, natural lighting and a choice of armchairs or upright chairs, both comfortable.

Real ales - 0

Service - 2

Very slow. One bar person who disappeared for long intervals

features - 1

Serves food

Toilets - 4

Posh

Score 13 out of 20

The Nook, Holmfirth

The Nook (aka Rose and Crown), 3A Victoria Square, Holmfirth HD9 2DN

01484 682373

On first sight I thought this was a gift shop, due to the style of the lettering above the window, it having no pub sign, and the view inside being obscured by a swarm of stickers on the window. It was only from reading the plaque on the wall and then taking a closer look that I realised it was a drinking establishment. It's also a microbrewery. Perfect for real ale lovers, though less than perfect for people who like their pubs comfortable and clean.

It's a bit difficult to find, down a side street off the Hollowgate.

ambience -2

décor -1

Clay tile floors, no carpets. Wooden furniture, few padded seats, and the décor is distinctly shabby and grubby. Looks like I imagine a basic beerhouse would have looked in times past. It has real coal fires in all three rooms. This should have made the place cosy, but while real coal fires can give out a fierce heat, they need regular stoking and these weren't properly stoked. Two were nearly out and the place was cold.

service - 2

A bit off hand

Ales - at least 5

Cherry Stout, Millstone Dark Galleon, Rescue Road (10 pence from each pint sold goes to Holmfirth Mountain Rescue team).

Features - 5

dogs on leads permitted

jukebox

varied burger and pub grub menu

live music session on Sundays and occasionally during the month

darts

Toilets - 4

Plain décor, but less shabby than the rest of the pub; very clean

Score 19 out of 30



Elephant and Castle, Holmfirth

Elephant and Castle, Hollowgate, Holmfirth HD9 2DG

01484 683178

18th century pub in the centre of Holmfirth, one bar and one big room divided into sections. The friendliest pub I've stepped into. Due to the number of features, this pub scores extra points.

ambience - 4

décor - 3

Carpets and tables well worn, but comfortable benches and a very warm coal-effect gas fire. Very cosy

service - 5

very welcoming

ale - 2

Timothy Taylors Landlord, Black Sheep

features - 7

dog-friendly (and advertises itself as a dog friendly venue)

Bar sandwiches and hot food menu 12-2pm

separate pool table area

darts, dominoes

Sky sports

wi-fi

accommodation (4 rooms)

toilets - 4

Score 25 out of 30





The White House, Ripponden

The White House, on the A58 between Rochdale and Halifax, 

Blackstone Edge, Littleborough, OL15 0LG

01706 378456

This pub is high on the Pennines, with stunning views of Hollingworth Lake, Manchester and Rochdale, and the Pennine Way passes within a few yards of it. Built in 1671, it was originally a coaching inn called the coach and horses. It's opening times are weekdays 12pm-2pm and 6.30-9.30pm, Sundays 12pm-9pm.

ambience - 3

decor - 4

comfortable seats

service - 4

features - 2

children welcome before 9pm

Serves food, large menu

ales - 5

Theakstons plus guest ales

toilets - 4

fully supplied

Score 22 out of 30

 

  From a mile away to the north on the Pennine Way, you can see how isolated the pub is. It really is in the middle of nowhere, and I can only suppose it gets snowed in during the winter. This photo was from my second visit in May, and was the only photograph I felt able to take that day; it was the only 'normal' view. Some-one had caused a fire on the surrounding moor that week, turning it into two square miles of charcoal. It was a sickening sight. There were a number of homeless sky larks fluttering around, whose nests and chicks had been burned.

The Waggon and Horses, Walsden, Calderdale

The Waggon and Horses, Rochdale Road, Walsden, near Todmorden OL14 7UA

A real local pub on the main road from Littleborough to Todmorden through the Calder Valley, serves a local clientele and has a good value pub grub menu. I gave it a low score when I first visited in 2013 because of its 'averageness' as a high street pub, not because it was unpleasant. On a visit in May 2018, I found it had become somewhat less average. It seems to have had a bit of a makeover, a couple of new features added, and the service is excellent.
 It is only four doors away from the Border Rose, a similar traditional pub.
The 590 Rochdale to Todmorden bus passes both pubs.

decor - 3

ambience - 4

ale - 0

Serves a range mass produced beers and lagers

features - 4

serves food during the day
pool table
dog friendly
weekly karaoke and disco

service - 4

Very friendly

toilets -4

Score  19 out of 30

View down Calder Valley from the Pennine Bridleway, which goes down the hill to the left of this photo and crosses the main road about 200 yards west of the pub.

Border Rose Inn

Border Rose Inn, Rochdale Road, Walsden, near Todmorden, OL14 7UA

Like the Waggon and Horses, which is only four doors away on the same road, this is a traditional no-frills pub catering to a local clientele, with a good value pub grub menu.  It is near the Pennine Bridleway, and overlooked by rugged steep hillsides. Currently (May 2018) it is closed daily between 2pm and 5pm.

decor - 3

ambience - 4

ale - 0

Ordinary range of mass produced beers and lagers, at good value prices

features - 2

serves food during the day
dog friendly

service - 4

fast and friendly

toilets - 4

Score 17 out of 30 

The White Hart, Todmorden

The White Hart, White Hart Fold, Todmorden OL14 7BD

A Wetherspoons pub, with everythng you would expect of a pub of the Wetherspoons brand. It is a 19th century building which looks like it was originally built to accommodate railway passengers. Like many Wetherspoons pubs, it has posters on the walls giving information about the locality's history, including the local railway line and famous Todmorden residents: Peter Lever, cricketer; Sir JOhn Douglas Cockroft, who split the atom; John Ramsbottom, industrialist. The white hart was Richard II's heraldic emblem, and is very old pub name.

decor - 5

dark wood theme, original features

Comfortable seating. It was refurbished by Wetherspoons in 2011

ambience - 4

relaxing

service - 5

friendly and attentive

real ales - 5

at least 5 real ales, (as expected in a Wetherspoons pub!)

features - 1

serves food until 10pm 

toilets - 5

pristine, fully stocked with handwash, loo rols, etc

Score 25 out of 30

The Railway Hotel, Marsden

 

The Railway Hotel, 34 Station Road, Marsden HD7 6DH

01484 841541

 

Like all 'railway' pubs, this is near a train station - less than a quarter of a mile from Marsden station - but it is also within walking distance of the dramatic scenery of Marsden moor.

 

decor - 4

ambience - 4

comfortable furniture, light and spacious interior, if a bit bland. Has one single large room.

 

service - 4

very friendly

 

features - 4

beer garden

serves food

child friendly

permits dogs

 

ale - 3

 

toilets - 5

pristine and fully supplied

 

Score 24 out of 30  

 

 

A couple of interior shots, early on a weekday

 

 

Marsden Moor, with the Spillway leading down from the reservoir to the left. There is currently a local campaign to preserve the Spillway, as United Utilities are planning ot replace it with a concrete version, instead of the local gritstone (which is much more pleasing to the eye and blends with the landscape.)



The Golden Lion, Todmorden

The Golden Lion, Rochdale Road, Todmorden OL14 6LZ
01706 816333

 

Big, pleasant, family-friendly pub alongside the Rochdale Canal (though you can't drink at the canalside as the towpath isn't part of the pub premises.)

 

ambience - 3

decor - 4

well maintained

 

service - 3

welcoming, and prompt

 

ale - 0

average mass produced stuff

 

features - 4

serves food

pool table

secluded beer garden

allows children in the dining area

 

toilets - 4

as well maintained as the rest of the pub

 

Score 18 out of 30

 

 



The White Swan, Hebden Bridge

The White Swan, Bridge Gate, Hebden Bridge HX7 8EX

In the centre of the village, facing a bridge over the river.

decor - 3

ambience - 2

Traditional pub ornaments of mugs, jugs and brass pots hung all over the ceiling. It is carpeted in all rooms, but all the furniture is wood, so there is nothing really comfortable to sit on.

service - 3

ales - 2

Ales: Bitter & Twisted, and an ale called Elizabeth Wood, which is apparently the pub's own and is named after a woman who was its landlady for 30 years.

features - 2

Children are allowed in before eight o'clock.

Serves reasonably priced pub food, until nine o'clock

Toilets - 4

Pristine

Score 16 out of 30