White Hart Inn, Hawes

This 16th Century terraced Coaching Inn is situated just of the central market place and looks a lot bigger from the outside than it actually is. The simple and quite plain, carpeted interior is split into 2 by a retaining pillar and whilst much ahs been modernized over the years (the stone clad bar and the modern open brick fireplaces stand out in this respect) there are some notable remnants from the past such as the numbered doors which hark back to the old days when all rooms had to be listed for their purose as part of the licencing criteria. The bar area has strip lighting which makes it look a bit cheap and dated as well as bright. There are darts boards and TV’s in both sections and newspapers in a rack if you struggle to find any customers to talk to, which is likely to be often if my experience is anything to go by. The barman was hardly a bundle of personality and the only other customers came and left without even finishing their drinks. There were 3 ales on my visit, Black Sheep Best, John Smiths and Hobgoblin, not the most exciting selection although prices and quality was reasionable enough. The bar food was quite simple but well priced although we didn’t opt to eat here. There was nothing intrinsicly wrong with the place but it came across as rather dull and lacking anything to make it stand out beyond a quick pint for the sake of curiosity. For pub completists looking to do all the pubs in town, it’s best done as the first stop (so you won’t be disappointed with the rest) or the last (as long as it is near closing time and you don’t have to stay lionger than necessary). For a town in the heart of one of the country’s top tourist areas, the White Hart really needs to offer a bit more.

Has changed it's name from Rose of Denmark to The Brown Dog, and they do like dogs. The arch betwen the bar area and the dining area is covered with photographs of dogs, they also sell dog treats. Anyway back to the important things. It has two real ales, the only one I can remember is Sambrook's Wandle ale, but at £3.40 a pint it's a bit much seeing as it is only 3.8 strong. Serves lunch & dinner. Be careful as some of the chairs are a bit wobbly.

Food and Accommodation available.