The Navigation, Sowerby Bridge

I wasn't planning to stop here, but this canal-side pub looked appealing from the towpath so I went in to investigate... The main bar is in three sections, with the counter in the centre, and there is more of a dining room (with another small counter) of to the right as you enter. All parts are traditionally furnished, with decoration reflecting its location. All six handpumps were in use, pouring Wainwright, 61 Deep, Butcombe Original, Oakham Citra, Theakston XB and a decent Ossett Yorkshire Blonde (£3.50).

Down a steep hill, a bit away from the main drag and works well for it. A pretty looking place on approach but a bit schizophrenic inside, someone was let loose with cream paint to brighten the place up at the expense of the wood panelling and trim. Aside from that it's a tidy pub with a friendly old skool landlady. Five cask with a Marstons slant. My Oakham Citra in great shape (NBSS 4). Was I lucky? Maybe, but you can only judge on what you’re presented with and this felt like a much better bet than the more lauded Shepherd’s up the road. The quickest route back to the train station is a bit grim though, so be prepared.

As the name would suggest, this pub is handy for the canal, and we had been looking forward to this, our last pub of the day. First impressions were not good, as there was a smell of fried food on entering, and on seeing the array of hand pumps on the bar I think we all thought the offering was a little pedestrian: Oakham Citra, Marstons 61 Deep, Butcombe Original, Wainwright, Ossett Yorkshire Blonde and Theakstons XB. I went for the XB, which was in pretty good nick and it actually made quite a change to see this old staple, but it's not exactly a beer that anyone crosses the road for. Same goes for Butcombe, which I've had pretty ropey examples of in pubs much closer to the brewery than this, and I've been in a pub in Skipton where it used to be a regular but they've taken it off as it wasn't getting drunk any more. Anyway, none of this would put me off coming here again if Sowerby Bridge will have me back.