It’s no secret that we truly believe the North York Moors is the underrated gem of the region. Rivalling its more famous counterpart, the Yorkshire Dales, the Moors offers a slice of solace that we believe even the Dales can’t provide – probably because they’re such an afterthought for those flocking to the region for a weekend away. Of course, not for us.
Luring us back in with its spring blooms and idyllic countryside, we found ourselves hitting the road to the little-known village of Cropton – which just so happens to be the home of the Cropton 84 Brewery. Found just a stone’s throw away from beloved market town Pickering, the tiny village is home to just one pub, which, naturally, is where we could be found for the next 24 hours of our trip.
A cosy escape which we’d definitely deem suitable for hiding out in should the world experience Armageddon (kind of like our very own The Winchester pub), The New Inn offers a warming welcome from the minute you step inside, greeting you with a bar fully stocked with kegs and casks of incredible Yorkshire-brewed beers and ales.
Kicking off our trip with not only a nice cold pint, but a little bit of insight into where it came from, we had a gander at the almost 40-year-old brewery that lies hidden behind the pub. A neat operation creating some of Yorkshire’s most beloved beers and ales, guests are able to see where the magic happens when visiting Cropton 84 Brewery – from brewing to bottling, labelling to making its way to the bar. Which is where we headed next, of course.
Getting acquainted with our own little booth for the rest of the afternoon and night, dog in tow (as always), we found ourselves knee-deep in flights of Cropton 84 Brewery’s own beers, including the ever-buttery Yorkshire Lager, the light and far-too-easily-enjoyed Yorkshire Pale, and the dark and chocolatey Yorkshire Blackout. It’s safe to say after a handful of tasting flights, even our dog was giving us a few funny looks…
… Which is exactly when we knew it was time to fill up on some traditional pub grub. Serving up a classic menu of dishes such as beef and ale pie, Yorkshire Ale battered fish and chips and homemade bangers and mash. Now naturally given our job, we eat at a lot of places and try a lot of different cuisines – but to us, nothing beats a proper British pub meal, our usual order being burger or steak, which was exactly what we opted for this time, too.
There in the quintessentially traditional pub, we scarfed down every bit of our meals while our pooch tucked into a bit of kibble, absolutely chuffed that we’d uncovered a true hidden gem in the North York Moors where the beef is cooked to perfection and the chips fluffy and crispy all at the same time. A rarity in the world of pub grub, you’d be surprised to hear.
Naturally, what came shortly after was traditional sticky toffee pudding and a brownie-style “Scotch Egg” (because how can you not get dessert when dining out?), followed by a couple of popped-open top buttons and a few drunken games of pool while the dog made friends with the locals – being the truly dog-friendly venue that it is.
Elsewhere in the pub, guests can take advantage of the rooms upstairs if you’ve had one too many (all as cosy as the next with great views of the surrounding countryside), with a stunning Yorkshire breakfast included boasting locally sourced grub and all the trimmings.
Tours and rooms are available to book online, or you can simply pop in for a bit of dinner and try the beers.
Find The New inn and the Cropton 84 Brewery at Cropton, nr Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 8HH.
[Featured image: The New Inn Cropton]
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