Yorkshire is full of beautiful architecture, and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has taken notice. Their 2022 awards noted one of Yorkshire’s pubs for its incredible architecture and named it as one of five projects in the final round of the awards.

A cancer care centre, a footbridge and a house extension are among the five projects shortlisted for this year’s RIBA Yorkshire Awards 2022.

The Alice Hawthorn, named after a famous 19th Century racehorse, is the last surviving pub in the idyllic historic village of Nun Monkton. Its location at the confluence of the river Ouse and Nidd, resulted in the village becoming an important historic hub of the river transport network of Northern England, with many travellers.

The design concept for the new courtyard takes inspiration from the Norse translation of ‘garth’ as ‘grassy cloister’ or ‘clearing in the woods’, creating a sense of quiet enclosure and a notional extension of the village green: a place of gathering for both people and animals.

The Alice Hawthorn is owned by HomeServe plumbing boss Richard Harpin and his wife Kate, and was recently in the Sunday Times list of the 100 Best Places to Stay 2021 across the country.

Richard and Kate Harpin said of the recent work: “We were very excited with the shape of the plans as they evolved, and the finished result has exceeded our expectations.

“We have 12 beautiful guest bedrooms, every one of them perfect in its own way. The beer garden has been flanked by the new buildings, making an atmospheric, sheltered and relaxing place to enjoy a pint and a tasty plate.

“The buildings, imagined as agricultural stables, stores, and barn, work brilliantly in our setting, and I have no doubt will get even better with age and weather.

“However, best of all, our guests love it, and the sense of pride exuded by the staff is wonderful.

“Since reopening, business has never been better.”

“Careful and appropriate use of materials alongside crisp detailing particularly stand out – reflecting the increasing need to provide the highest quality sustainable buildings for our towns, cities and villages.

“Once again the RIBA Awards programme showcases the vitally important role that architects play in enhancing and protecting our environment whilst lifting our spirits in challenging times.”

Running since 1966, the RIBA Awards are aimed at championing architecture that betters buildings, communities and the environment.

All shortlisted projects are now to be assessed by a regional jury with the winning projects to be announced later in the spring, before being considered in a national round.