The Old Cock in Otley. What a lovely little gem this is…read more Although the bar looks small it is very well stocked with plenty of draught bitters. The best thing is that if you are unsure, tell them what sort of beer drinker you are. I don't like beers that are too hoppy. So I was given a selection of tasters to try and I soon found one that I liked. Like I said this isn't a large pub and because of the low ceiling it gives it a very cosy feel. Free wifi too. I came whilst waiting for my bus into Leeds at about half 8 pm and it was absolutely heaving. Everyone in Otley must like their choice of beers because it was far too crowded and loud for me. But a pub I would pop my head in and if it wasn't too crowded I would definitely go back in.

Great new pub in a very old building. The building built in the 18th century Has been a cafe, a…read moreRestaurant and a house. Makes a great little real ale pub. Lots of choice with interesting lagers as well as ale. Also boasts a big selection of whiskeies, including one from India. Wish I wasn't driving!

The Junction is always one of the busiest pubs in Otley because it is the sort of pub that defines…read morethe historic market town it lies within. It's the epitome of an "old-man's pub" - but in this instance, that's quite a positive thing. With it's huge roaring fire, country atmosphere and massive array of real ales (which it is rather famous for), it is a firm favourite in a place like Otley. For tourists in the town (and there's always a few), the Junction is probably the best representation of Otley, and the regulars are mostly friendly in here. Definitely worth going in, if only to have a "proper" pint.

On this brief trip to Otley, the chap and I nipped in here for a pint or two. I quickly became…read moreenamoured by the rustic pub décor, selection or real ales, and friendly locals. It's one of those spots where an out-of-towner doesn't feel all eyes on them as they enter, but that business continues as usual, and that business is relaxing after a long day with a few good pints. The service, rumoured to be brusque, was friendly and not overly so. I can't recall what I was drinking, but I know I liked it enough to have a couple of them - the ale is well kept and goes down even better. Most of the visit included an epicly long game of darts - the darts are just behind the bar, and there's no deposit. I can't claim to be any good, and fared better at 301 than I did around the clock, but a fabulous few hours were spent in the friendly folds of this country pub, with ale, conversation, and the attempts at a triple 20. It looks to be a small place, but I didn't go beyond the darts area, so it might actually be a little roomier around the other side. In any case, should we go Otley ways again, I'll be back here in a flash.

This is a fantastic old pub that has stood forever. It has great Yorkshire food and is not part of…read morea chain. It's a little out of Otley, but the views and award winning food make it worth the walk. It's a warm welcoming family atmosphere that will keep you coming back for more.

Heading back after a morning walk around Swinsty reservoir we decided to stop here for a bite to…read moreeat. Good sized car park. Very friendly staff greeted us as we entered and the dining room was busy which was a good sign given that it is under new ownership for just a year or so now. We ate in the newer section of the pub which had sky lights and was very light with a great view over the valley. The menu seemed quite simple and to focus on local type dishes and at first glance, I thought the menu looked a little pricey for lunches and so decided on a sandwich (I think it was £6) while many of the dishes were up in the £8-10 range). When the sandwiches came, they came with a small salad of very fresh greens which was the first surprise. Then the second surprise came in the form of a pickle plate containing a selection of beetroot, pickled onions (small (so not too strong in flavour), but numerous), pickled cabbage and a pickle/chutney all of which we were told were made on site. Honestly, I'd read it on the menu and not really given it any thought, but the presentation of the pickle plate was great and their flavours were sublime. For me the pickle tray was the star of the meal and tied the local/home-style together perfectly. The sandwiches were very tasty and combined with the salad and pickles offered fantastic value for money. The sandwich (coronation chicken), wasn't too overly spiced and the bread was thick cut and very tasty. Others in my party were equally impressed. My only regret, given the flavour and quality of the pickled onions and pickle/chutney, I should have got the cheese sandwich as I bet combined, the three elements would be amazing! At this point I'm looking forward to going back and will be trying some of the more expensive dishes on the strength of my experience here. If all their dishes are made with the same quality of ingredients and given the same attention, then I'm sure it won't be long before this becomes a very well known local spot.

Definitely the nicest looking pub in the town, Otley's Yew Tree entices you in from the outside…read morewith a gorgeous looking building and a bit of greenery (especially a nice little tree, which I don't think is a yew unfortunately!). Inside it's not quite as glorious but it's still fairly nice, and quite friendly compared to some of the pubs in Otley. This is probably down to the fact that it's located a far way out of the town centre (but still within easy walking distance as Otley is so small) and is a little bit more family orientated that most of the pubs in the town. Having said that, it's still a nice place to have a pint as I discovered, with good staff, average prices and a nicer atmosphere than most of the other pubs round here. I've never been, but the karaoke night (once a month) is legendary in these parts.

From the owner: Local community Pub Beer garden…read moreSunday Carvery (12 while 3.00pm) General knowledge quiz (Sunday 9.00 start) Tuesday's Landlord Quiz(8.30 start) Wednesday Hot Plate night (5.00 till 8.00pm) All occasions catered for

The Royalty is the epitome of a country pub - miles from anywhere, offering stunning views, and…read morewith an interior and atmosphere that makes it feel more like the lounge of a farmhouse than a pub. Stuck on that long stretch of road near the airport, this place has always served as a welcoming haven whenever I've been up on the rather remote chevin - good hearty food and the usual ales that you can expect from a traditional Yorkshire pub. If it's not too windy to sit outside, you get awesome views of the Wharfe valley and the airport from the beer garden day or night, which gives this place the upper hand on most pubs. They also hold a bonfire here on...bonfire night, obviously, that is better than most. The only drawback is the fact that, because of its location, you'll undoubtedly need a designated driver.

Perched in an isolated spot on top of Otley Chevin, from the outside The Royalty looks more like…read moresomething out of a Daphne Du Maurier novel than somewhere you'd want to stop for a pint. Make it through the howling wind to the front door, however, and you'll find a cosy hideaway popular with locals and tourists alike. Thanks to the large conservatory area looking out over the wild Yorkshire countryside, you never quite feel out of the elements here and it's a particularly exhilarating spot for a drink and some food when the weather is stormy outside. There's a good selection of real ales on tap and the food is typical pub grub; nothing fancy, but hearty, filling and served in large portions. If you feel up to it, walk off any indulgences with a stroll along the Chevin - just don't get blown away!

OOh! I'm the first! I'm the first!! *waves arms around in a Kermit-style YAAAAAY!*…read more The Victorian Fair is always a great day out in Otley and we took this as an opportunity (because we literally need no excuses) to go and check out this latest incarnation of North Bar right in the centre of the town. Having during the course of the afternoon made friends with a German, a Mexican and a French lady at Whitacker's (there's a joke in there somewhere) we decided North Bar Social would be a great place to show our new compadres some of the best drinking Yorkshire can offer. We were a highly enthusiastic, multi-lingual and already rather toasted crew of newly found drinking buddies and the homely atmosphere in North Bar Social suited us to a tee. Our Bavarian even managed to find a beer from his home town and enthusiastically made us drink it...it tasted of smoked ham. Like drinking smoked ham. It was awful. But at least it made him laugh to watch us. I suspect he had planned this all along. The lighting upstairs was a little bright and the wooden seats could have done with some cushions but these are mere environmental trifles that any new bar can sort out as feedback pours in. North Bar Social was a great way to while away a Saturday night with their vast and dazzling array of drinks, absolutely superb bar man whose service and smile were impeccable and perfect ambience entirely suited to making new friends. Well done North Bar Social.

From the owner: North Bar Social boasts a large outdoor seating area, cosy upstairs function room, and some of the…read morefriendliest staff we know!  Our small, but perfectly formed, bar welcomes cyclists, dogs, walkers and has regulars from 18 to 80! Table service, a wide range of beers and wine, and a strong connection with the local community have brought a little piece of North Bar to Otley. 

What a lovely pub, old fashioned, low ceiling, a mix of wood, carpet and paving slab flooring. The…read moredoor in the middle of the pub acts as a small divider one side with fully upholstered seating tracking the wall and miss-matching small stools, there are even brass table-tops and a fireplace with evidence of recent combustion to complete the look. Basic grub is served; toasted sandwiches, spuds, stew and crusty bread, and the female staff are affable. There is a nice selection of hand-pulled beer, bottles and you can even get 'Old Rosie' cider and 'Timothy Taylor's'. to complete my liking of this pub there is a wonderful sign stating that I am quite within my right to ask for my beer to be topped up if the head is too large. Thank-you, but shouldn't this be a implicit rule of all pubs?

Located in the centre of town this pub serves a range of beers and is popular with locals.read more

Oh God I am SO in two minds here…read more Do I share my little secret? Do I open up my sanctuary to a wider audience? Can ALL of us fit around the open fire in the Chesterfield chairs or will it all descend into a bloodbath when I realise I have opened the doors to Nirvana and let the horde in? And then I think of the staff at The Wharfedale Inn. I think about how they will do you a tab by just asking your first name. I think about how you can gleefully rearrange your dinner into a combination of infinite variations and they will just smile and say the Chef wont mind. I think about how they ask how you are and where you've been. I think about how they smile when you ask for the Chocolate Brandy Pot pudding with extra cream and how they wander back past the table when you're on your last trouser button and encourage you to finish it off. I think of all these things and I realise it is supremely selfish of me to keep The Wharfedale Inn to myself and so here we are. Nestled by the railway bridge in Arthington (between Pool and Harewood) with a roaring open fire; comfy mismatched seating, homely paintings and pottery proudly on display on the walls, a tank of pet fish to distract you and make you do kissy fish faces on your way to the loos, a separate 'posh' restaurant on the side where you can sit up straight and use a knife and with the friendliest bar in Yorkshire where you can tuck into big meaty portions of perfectly cooked classic dishes all made with quality local ingredients and a liberal smattering of hot love, The Wharfedale Inn is one of my favourite places on God's green earth and it is well worth riding a bus into the wild countryside to partake in its numerous pleasures. The prices are more than reasonable, around £9 for a main, £4 for a starter and same for pudding. There's a cracking wine list that goes above and beyond the capacity of most country pubs. The Specials Board is always a delight and often features a few surprises- the Japanese Prawns being one recent discovery. I recommend grabbing those Chesterfields by the fire, ordering a pint of cloudy Addlestone's cider and then munching your way through the Honey Roast Duck with chunky chips and salad followed by that legendary dollop of the Chocolate and Brandy Pot that will suck ALL the moisture out of your head. It's not fancy, it's more than any normal human should expect to eat in any one sitting and the salad is just good old English lettuce, cucumber, tomato and onion but my goodness does it make you smile from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. To use the vernacular, it is simply DELISH. And if I'm in there buy me a drink , for I am the Gate Keeper to wonderful things. Oh and when you do finally stagger out of the door be sure to look up into the sky, there's Red Kite in them there hills and they really like to circle the pub. I can't blame 'em : )

I have stayed here a couple of times, though the room rate is almost as expensive as some quality…read morehotels, this is just a pub !. But a pretty good one too, with excellent bar food , and an adjoining restaurant. I had to smile when , looking out of the back from my room ('Almscliffe') there were lots of rabbits in the field. When I came down for dinner, one of the specials was 'Rabbit Pie'. Pity breakfast is only a cold affair, placed in fridge the previous night.. Pub is good , but I wouldnt stay there again.

I'm so pleased that I found this gem of a spot in Otley. The visit was in fact to make use of their…read morebed and breakfast, after the impromptu decision was made to make a stop over in Otley for the bank holiday. Booking was as simple as phoning and leaving a name and address, then paying on arrival. They've a great system to make sure you can get back in the pub after closing, and as far as scenic stop overs, this one dealt hit the mark. Gorgeous interior to the pub, cute courtyard of sorts with benches, and a much nicer than any cheap travelodge room. It was simple, had coffee facilities, lovely bathroom products and anything you might need. It was a touch hot over night, but I'd blame that as much on the beautiful weather as anything. You can order breakfast at a given time, and although I only managed toast the breakfasts are rumoured to be legendary. Next time! The chef/owner was lovely and very accommodating, all staff encountered were a delight, and the beer is of course great. What more can I say? Perhaps, should you happen to visit this wee market town, make sure to grab a pint here. And perhaps even go a step further, and make a night of it at this fabulous pub.

Try the Dark Moor beer lovely. My mate is drinking Mary…read moreJane. Lovely name for a pint.

Delicious! Wonderful, cozy place with amazing meals. Staff was extremely welcoming and friendly…read more Had the fish & chips and it was outstanding. Highly recommend.

Some time ago, just before the summer began, my friends and I decided to drive out to Otley for…read moresome lunch as the weather was warming and the sun was out. My friend had just passed his driving test so he opted to take us over, and a few interesting parking manoeuvres later, we were set. We'd no real idea of where to try so we wandered in here on the promise of some good pub grub. We sat in the garden with the huge picturesque wall on one side (no, really - it's a lovely old stone wall!) and an array of flowers at the back. It was a really lovely little place, private and jovial, and we ordered our food. The boys went for a whole roast dinner in a Yorkshire Pudding and as the huge plate of delicious dough and gravy was brought out I felt a touch jealous. (My pie was pretty delicious, but y'know - it was a roast dinner in a Yorkshire Pudding!) The staff were all pretty friendly and the service was reasonably quick - something you're always grateful for on an empty stomach, so all in all I would recommend this place for sure. There's a standard range of good beers and it's arranged inside with classic pub decor; this place feels enough like home to any frequenter of the grand old British tradition that is a proper pub. Not even my incurable phobia of the wasps that occasioned upon us outside spoiled the afternoon.