This won’t be the first or last time I babble on about how the North York Moors is the underrated food capital of Yorkshire. With a Michelin Star under its belt and countless Michelin Guide restaurants, it’s a hot bed for culinary talent. And we can see why. An inspiring landscape that’s a wonderland for game, close proximity to the coast for the freshest catches, and ample arable land for growing produce makes the North York Moors a chef’s dream come true. Just look at the Tommy Banks empire, for starters.
Every corner of the national park is blessed, too, from The Owl in the sleepy village of Hawnby, to bistro-style delights at Saltmoore in Sandsend. But there’s one little mentioned village that’s home to not one, but two incredible gastropubs: Ampleforth.
A peaceful spot right on the edge of the national park, Ampleforth is surrounded by some of the North York Moors’ finest gems – from Byland Abbey and the White Horse of Kilburn, to Nunnington Hall and Duncombe Park. It’s unspoilt. It’s local. And comes with the guarantee of leaving with a very happy tum.
The first stop here is The White Horse Inn, an 18th century pub that takes its name from the local landmark nearby in Kilburn. A true, traditional pub with exposed stone walls, open fireplaces and wood beams, it’s the perfect stop-off after taking on a local hike – with plenty of local ales behind the bar and fantastic pub grub that’s so much more than just a refuel.
Run by Chef Ali Moran and partner Lydia, The White Horse is the sister pub to The Blacksmiths Arms in Lastingham, which is also renowned for its incredible approach to pub grub that combines traditional dishes with modern cooking.
Moran’s dishes are homely with a culinary flair – think luxurious slabs of steak and ale pie with bags of flavour, local sausages with pimped up cheddar mash (a must try… I’m still thinking about this dish), juicy burgers and more, the perfect dishes to tuck into while holed up by the fire in the cosy bar. There’s no dish on the menu that hasn’t benefitted from extra love, care and thought to its presentation and flavours – even the desserts boast that little something more (chocolate creme brûlée, we’re looking at you).
Like the one pub wasn’t asset enough to the community already, just minutes down the road you’ll find the White Swan, another equally beautiful pub, also serving up some of the best food in the area. Could Ampleforth be any luckier?
It’s a large pub with multiple dining areas and a bar space, where friends and family gather on Sundays to catch up over stunning roasts, with upmarket pub-style dishes the rest of the week. Michelin-trained chef Kieran Duffy brings a sense of familiarity to every dish, with a local ethos woven into the menu bringing the freshest flavours to the table. It’s a masterstroke in creating dishes that can be enjoyed on an uneventful Thursday or a special occasion – something the White Swan does well on all counts.
The Sunday roast here, in particular, is a triumph, enhanced by the warming, local atmosphere of people gathering throughout the venue. Duffy serves what we like to call a ‘posh’ Sunday roast, putting an emphasis on flavour rather than just the components that make up the British classic. Expect the perfect cauliflower cheese – thick bechamel, a sharp cheese on top for a proper flavour bite, truly crispy roasties that are super fluffy inside, and a moreishly rich gravy that your Nan couldn’t possibly compete with. And don’t even try and say she could.
In addition to having two fantastic gastropubs, Ampleforth is a true Yorkshire village, with stone cottages lining the streets, a breathtaking abbey and endless countryside right on its doorstep. Some might say, it’s the perfect village.
Read more: The Yorkshireman’s Guide To The Best Places To Visit In Yorkshire For 2026
[Featured image: Photo © Chris Heaton (cc-by-sa/2.0)]
