Best Pubs and Inns in the Yorkshire Wolds

Country pubs, village inns, and real ale in the rolling chalk hills of East Yorkshire.

A good pub can make a holiday. The Yorkshire Wolds and the surrounding villages have a handful of proper country pubs that are worth seeking out: the kind of places with low ceilings, real fires, locally brewed beer, and food made from ingredients sourced within a few miles. Some are remote enough that finding them feels like a small adventure. Others sit in market towns with plenty going on around them. Here's where to head when you want a pint and something to eat.

Wolds Village Pubs

The Cross Keys at Thixendale sits in one of the most isolated villages in East Yorkshire, at the meeting point of several dry valleys deep in the Wolds. The pub is small, traditional, and friendly. It serves real ale, home-cooked food, and has a garden for warmer days. Thixendale is a popular stopping point for walkers on the Yorkshire Wolds Way, so the pub has a well-worn, welcoming feel. Getting there involves narrow lanes and steep hills, which only adds to the character.

The Wolds Inn at Huggate occupies the highest village on the Wolds. It's a proper village local that also serves food and welcomes visitors. The beer garden has views across the surrounding farmland, and on a clear evening you can see for miles. Huggate is about 15 minutes from the cottage and makes a good objective for a walk across the Wolds or a cycle ride along the quiet lanes.

The Star Inn at Sancton, near Market Weighton, is another solid village pub. The food is a step above standard pub fare, with a menu that changes regularly and makes good use of local produce. The building is attractive, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it's easy to reach from the cottage or from the Hudson Way cycle path.

The Pipe and Glass

The Pipe and Glass at South Dalton, just outside Beverley, is the best-known pub in East Yorkshire and one of the best in the north of England. Chef James Mackenzie has held a Michelin star here since 2010, serving food that is technically accomplished but never pretentious. The setting is a converted coaching inn on the Dalton estate, and the atmosphere manages to stay relaxed despite the quality of the cooking.

Expect dishes built around Yorkshire ingredients: Wolds lamb, Holderness game, East Coast fish, and vegetables from the pub's own garden. The tasting menu is worth the investment if you want the full experience. Booking well ahead is recommended for dinner and essential at weekends. The bar area also serves lighter dishes and excellent beer from local breweries. For a broader look at eating and drinking in the area, see the Yorkshire food and drink guide.

Beverley Pubs

Beverley has a strong pub scene for a town of its size. The Tiger Inn on Lairgate is one of the oldest and most characterful, with low beams, multiple small rooms, and a good selection of real ale. It's the kind of pub where conversation is the main entertainment. Nellie's (officially the White Horse Inn) on Hengate is similarly atmospheric: gas-lit, unrenovated, and deeply traditional. If you like pubs that haven't been modernised, Nellie's is essential.

For something more modern, the Chequers on North Bar Within serves well-kept beer in a bright, refurbished space. The Dog and Duck near the Minster is a reliable all-rounder with food and a pleasant courtyard. Beverley is about 20 minutes from the cottage, and an evening in town visiting two or three pubs is a fine way to spend a few hours. See the Beverley town guide for more on what the town has to offer.

Dog-Friendly Pubs

Most of the Wolds village pubs welcome dogs, which is one of the many reasons this area works well for holidays with a four-legged companion. The Cross Keys at Thixendale, the Wolds Inn at Huggate, and the Star at Sancton all allow dogs in the bar area. In Beverley, the Tiger Inn and Nellie's are both dog-friendly. The Pipe and Glass allows dogs in the bar but not the restaurant.

If you're walking with a dog across the Wolds, planning your route to end at a pub is one of the genuine pleasures of the area. A muddy dog under a table, a pint of something local, and a fire to sit beside after a morning on the hills: that's as good as it gets.

Local Breweries and Real Ale

East Yorkshire has a growing number of small breweries whose beers you'll find in the pubs listed above. The Great Newsome Brewery near Patrington produces a range of well-regarded ales, many named after features of the Holderness landscape. Wold Top Brewery at Hunmanby sits on a farm on the edge of the Wolds and brews using water from its own borehole and barley from its own fields. Both are worth looking out for on the bar.

Beverley has its own brewery, the Atom Brewing Company, which leans towards modern craft styles alongside more traditional cask beers. Several Beverley pubs stock their range. The annual Beverley Beer Festival, held in June, is a good opportunity to sample beers from across the region if your visit coincides with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pubs near the cottage are dog-friendly?

Most Wolds village pubs welcome well-behaved dogs, at least in the bar area. The Cross Keys at Thixendale, the Wolds Inn at Huggate, and the Star Inn at Sancton all allow dogs. It is always worth calling ahead to confirm, especially if you want to eat.

Do I need to book for Sunday lunch at Wolds pubs?

Yes, booking is strongly recommended for Sunday lunch at the popular pubs, especially the Pipe and Glass, the Star at Sancton, and the Wolds Inn. Many have limited covers and fill up quickly, particularly during holiday periods.

Are there any pubs within walking distance of the cottage?

The nearest village pubs are a short drive rather than a walk from the cottage. However, if you enjoy a longer walk, several can be worked into circular routes across the Wolds, making the pub a rewarding mid-walk or end-of-walk stop.

What is the Pipe and Glass?

The Pipe and Glass at South Dalton, near Beverley, is a Michelin-starred pub run by chef James Mackenzie. It serves refined food in a relaxed village pub setting. Booking well in advance is recommended, especially for dinner and weekends.