The Golden Fleece Hotel, Thirsk

Walked into this pub and up to the bar. No-one there despite the fact that the pub was full of ignorant, whingeing old gits on a coach trip. We actually held open the door for 4 of them and not one of them said "thank you". After they'd passed us I called back to them "Thank you for letting us hold the door open for you all" They just looked at us as if WE were the ignorant ones. There were two handpumps on the bar selling Black Sheep bitter and something called Golden Fleece Bitter with no attributed brewery. Who knows what they tasted like as after 5 minutes waiting for someone to appear behind the bar we left. This should probably be the best bar in Thirsk, but it isn't, it's crap.

An old coaching inn from the days of the Great North Road. Large brick building on the market place popular with the 'turf' on race days. The bar is decorated in modernish style with high back chairs while retaining an older elegance. Racing memorabilia, framed silks, members enclosure badges etc. give a racing theme. This is definitely the kind of place where all the chairs match. Well kept Black Sheep bitter and Shep's Spitfire, the usual Guinness, Carlsberg, Strongbow and Tetleys plus San Migel. Food is good and reasonably priced, mains around £7. Service pretty good, the barman pulled off a pint or two to clear the line before serving me as I was the first on Spitfire that day, although he was sometimes absent from behind the bar when needed.

Official site of the Golden Fleece Hotel - www.goldenfleecehotel.com

Official site of the Golden Fleece Hotel - www.goldenfleecehotel.com