Black Swan Hotel, York

A historic, rambling country hotel set in a commanding position on the square in this prosperous town on the southern edge of the North York Moors. Comprised of at least three old properties, this hotel has all the steps, posts, panelling and quirkiness required. I cannot speak for the tearoom or dining facilities, but the bar where we had lunch was a light and airy room, with occasional furniture, a fire and a rather incongruous flat screen television wordlessly broadcasting one of those aspirational property programmes. Much more amusing was the equally aspirational couple sitting behind us. We were relieved to see three handpumps on the stylish bartop: the ubiquitous Black Sheep, together with a couple of beers from the North Yorkshire Brewery: a house beer badged as Black Swan Golden Ale, and Archbishop Lee’s Ruby Ale.Both tasty, but the Golden was a tad hazy, though as North Yorks is an Organic brewery, it could well have been unfiltered. Our meals were generous: as a family we detest small London helpings, and served with charm. Out side the door to the tearoom someone had put food and water under an A frame signboard for the local cat:while we regrouped, a hen blackbird availed herself of some choice morsels. If funds allowed, we would quite like to spend a night here.

Official pages of the Black Swan Hotel at Helmsley - www.blackswan-helmsley.co.uk

Official pages of the Black Swan Hotel at Helmsley - www.blackswan-helmsley.co.uk