People visit the North York Moors for a variety of reasons. You can take a picturesque stroll through the countryside, whizz along roads on your bike, visit country shows, and, if you’re brave, go for the thrills at Flamingo Land. However, one of the best things to do is to enjoy a pint in one of the many traditional Yorkshire pubs. Therefore, we have put together this list of five of our favourite pubs in the North York Moors. Our selection of pubs features roaring fires, delicious food, excellent drink selections, and wonderful beer gardens.
1. The Fox and Rabbit, Lockton
First up on our list of the best pubs in the North York Moors is a classic Yorkshire pub owned and run by brothers Charles and Toby Wood. You will find it in Lockton on the edge of Dalby Forest, making it a picturesque stop-off for a drink or some hearty food.
Let’s start at the bar and, my word, they have a great selection of Yorkshire ales. Here are just some of the standouts:
- Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker – An award-winning, tasty and bold Yorkshire bitter.
- Wainwright Gold – A timeless, refreshing golden beer inspired by the famous fell walker Alfred Wainwright.
- Theakstons Best Bitter – A delicious bitter brewed by the independent, family brewing company founded in Masham in 1827.
Let’s move on to the food. Head chef David Owuor has worked at the pub for over a decade and takes pride in delivering exquisite dishes using the best local produce. Some examples of the dishes served up include venison burger, Whitby scampi, wild mushroom and spinach risotto, and Whitby haddock and chips. For those with a sweet tooth (i.e. everyone!), there are delicious desserts such as chocolate brownie, lemon and lime cheesecake, and sticky toffee pudding.
So, eat, drink, and be merry while being surrounded by the beautiful North York Moors National Park, and visit The Fox and Rabbit in Lockton.
2. The White Horse Inn, Ampleforth
Next on our list of best pubs in the North York Moors is an 18th-century inn named after the famous local landmark in nearby Kilburn. It is everything you want from a traditional Yorkshire pub with open fireplaces, exposed stone walls, and wooden beams. It makes for the perfect refuelling spot if you have just taken on a long walk or cycle, with plenty of local ales and delicious pub grub to help you refuel.
The pub is run by Chef Ali Moran and partner Lydia. They deliver beautiful, locally-sourced, and home-cooked food. Options include steak and ale pie, sausage and mash, juicy burgers, and fish and chips. With every mouthful, you taste the passion and love put into the dishes.
Mine’s a pint! You’ll find the bar stocked up with hand-pulled ales from local Yorkshire breweries such as Theakstons and Helmsley Brewing Co. Beer not your tipple? There is also a selection of fine wines, including French Malbec and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
In traditional Yorkshire style, they make sure everyone is welcome! There are plenty of board games to keep the little ones entertained and doggy treats ready for your favourite pooch. So, next time you are passing through Ampleforth, be sure to call in to the White Horse Inn for a pint or two.
3. The Lion Inn, High Blakey
The Lion Inn once had the prestigious honour of being described as the ‘best pub in the North York Moors’. It is certainly easy to see why! Located at the remote Blakey Ridge, it is a 16th-century family-owned pub.
Now, we won’t lie, it isn’t the easiest pub to get to as it is located at the highest point in the North York Moors National Park. It has a standing elevation of 1,325 feet. However, it is definitely worth a visit. It is a Yorkshire pub steeped in history, has a roaring ancient stone fireplace, lip-smacking pub grub classics, a wide selection of ales, and stunning views of Rosedale and Farndale. What more could you ask for?
After your long trek to the pub, you will definitely be wanting a drink. Fortunately, The Lion Inn has become well known for its range of real ales, including:
- Theakston’s Best Bitter
- Old Peculier
- Thwaites Wainwright Best
- Black Sheep Best Bitter
- Theakston’s Quencher
- Timothy Taylor’s Landlord
What a line-up! The food isn’t bad either! They serve up your favourite pub classics, such as lamb rump steak in minted gravy, duck breast in orange sauce, homemade lasagne, chicken parmo, and hot beef sandwich. Got room for pudding? Course you do. Well, they have hot chocolate fudge cake, banana split, vanilla Biscoff cheesecake, and much more.
So, make the journey to The Lion Inn in the North York Moors, and get ready to have a proper, traditional Yorkshire pub experience.
4. Birch Hall Inn, Beck Hole
Fancy visiting the smallest pub in Yorkshire? Well, it’s right here in the North York Moors. Beck Hall Inn is a Grade II listed pub in the tiny, picturesque village of Beck Hole, around 10 miles from Whitby. The building dates back to the 17th century. It received the honour of ‘Pub of the Year’ in 2014 by the previous real group CAMRA.
It has become a must-visit for hikers, walkers, cyclists and anyone who appreciates history, quirky Yorkshire pubs, and loves fine beer. The layout of the pub makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It consists of the ‘Big Bar’, which is very small, and the ‘Small Bar’, which is even smaller! In between the two bars, they have even managed to fit a unique sweet shop, stocked up with many of your favourites. There is a traditional serving hatch, dark-wood beamed interior, and black and white photos adorning the walls. It really does feel like you stepped into a Brontë sisters novel.
They offer a selection of excellent locally brewed beers. This includes their house beer Beckwater, Wold Top bitter, and guest ales from local independent breweries. They also serve a selection of hot drinks, perfect to warm you up after a cold walk. To accompany your pint, there is a choice of bar snacks, including sandwiches, homemade scones, pork pies, and their famous beer cake.
If you want a very traditional Yorkshire pub that makes you feel like you’ve been transported to days gone by, then you have to visit the picture-postcard Beck Hall Inn. It may be tiny, but it is guaranteed to give you a big welcome and plenty of happy memories from your trip to Yorkshire.
5. The Blacksmith Arms, Lastingham
Next on our list of pubs in the North York Moors is in Lastingham. The village is a designated conservation area for its historical significance and special architecture. Legend has it that the very first landlord of The Blacksmiths Arms in 1664 was the vicar at St Mary’s Church across the road. He noted that his congregation were thirsty after trekking to his weekly services, so he decided to become a publican. Definitely serving the community!
While the pub has been spruced up over the years, it still retains plenty of its old-world charm, with low beams hung with pewter tankards. In the cosy bar, there is a fabulous working York range, surrounded by gleaming copper pans. There are four rooms to dine in, including two dining rooms, a snug, a private space, and a charming garden with live music and a pizza oven.
If you are a beer lover, then you won’t be disappointed. They offer a fantastic range of cask ales, including favourites like Saltaire Blonde and Theakston’s Old Peculiar. They also have a changing guest cider for you to enjoy. The pub has won York CAMRA Country Pub of the Season twice.
The food is not bad either! The chef is Alistair Moran, who has been the pub owner since 2021. He is a proud local, having grown up in nearby Hartoft. Due to his roots, he has a passion for supporting local producers to create his dishes. On the menu, you find classics such as:
- Cumberland Sausage and Mash
- ‘Horny Cow’ Beef Burger
- Roast Pork Belly
- Lemon and Herb Crusted Cod
- Oven Baked Camembert
Whether you just nip in for a pint after a good walk, or have a hearty sit-down meal, you will always be guaranteed a proper Yorkshire welcome down at The Blacksmiths Arms.
6. The Owl, Hawnby
Another absolute gem is The Owl in Hawnby, a historic 19th-century drovers’ inn turned stylish country pub in one of the North York Moors National Park’s prettiest villages. Hawnby became the first village in England to transition all of its external buildings to dark-skies-friendly lighting, helping to reduce light pollution in partnership with the National Park. The pub itself is cosy and welcoming, with roaring fires, real ales, dog-friendly spaces, en-suite accommodation and spectacular countryside views.
But it’s the food that really puts The Owl on the map. The pub has earned a place in the Michelin Guide for its “hearty, unfussy and downright tasty dishes”, showcasing European influences and the best of North Yorkshire’s local produce. Its contemporary interiors give the traditional country pub a stylish update, while the beer garden sits high on the hillside overlooking the surrounding Moors. With beautifully cooked, flavour-packed dishes and a setting that’s hard to beat, it’s easy to see why The Owl has become a destination foodie retreat; and a strong contender for one of the best pubs in the North York Moors.
7. The Star Inn, Harome
As well as being a Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Andrew Pern, The Star Inn in Harome is a stunning thatched-roof pub. It’s one of the most beautiful pubs we’ve ever sat in, with a roaring fire, exposed wooden beams and all the hallmarks of a pub that has seen a few good times over the years. What makes it one of the North York Moors’ best pubs is the fact that it manages to be both a fine-dining restaurant and a proper local ale house, without compromising on either.
The food is a huge part of the appeal, with Andrew Pern’s cooking showcasing the very best of Yorkshire produce through creative, beautifully presented dishes. Despite its Michelin-starred reputation, there’s still a strong sense of Yorkshire running through the menu, making it feel just as much at home in a country pub as it does in a fine-dining restaurant. And when it comes to drinks, you’ll find a selection of local and regional ales on tap, making it the perfect place to settle in for a pint by the fire after exploring the Moors.
Discover More Things to do in the North York Moors National Park
Whichever of our country pubs in the North York Moors you choose to go to next, we guarantee one thing. You will get a warm Yorkshire welcome and a cosy, picturesque place to relax while enjoying some hearty food or a fine ale.
As well as the great pubs, there are so many incredible things to do in the North York Moors National Park. There are walks, events, theme parks, hikes, waterfalls, and so much more to discover. For more information, discover our North York Moors archives.
Read More: 9 Of The Best North York Moors Restaurants You Need To Try
