Golden Ball, York

This corner local has a historic interior on Camra's national inventory, dating from a 1920's refurbishment by John Smiths (whose name can still be seen on the exterior tiling). The unusual four-room layout includes a rare tiled front to the main counter and a very unusual snug in a hallway beside the bar. Seven real ales on handpump, including Everard's Tiger from the side hatch and Little Brew Porter as one of six in the main bar. Now thriving as a community co-operative and well worth seeking out.

A good sized pub consisting of four different rooms in a square formation, with the bar counter serving two of them and a small corridor linking them together. Food appeared to be limited to a basket on the end of the bar contacting a selection of breads and pizza slices. The largest room was probably the one at the rear of the bar counter, and this had red tiling, green banquette seating and a large map covering the rear wall. The map had even been used to cover the light fittings so that they blended seamlessly in with the wall. A section of old wallpaper from 1900 was also displayed that had apparently been uncovered during a refurbishment. A snug at the front had smaller access to the bar counter, and this was quite a cosy room with maroon paintwork and a number of black and white photos on the wall. A further snug to the left was carpeted and housed a bar billiards game as well as a fire-place and a wood-burning stove, although this was not in use on our visit. There were also a pile of board games and a selection of trophies and shields. The final room had views out in to the garden, and some artwork for sale on the walls. Good choice of beers on tap with Timothy Taylor Golden Best, Moorehouse Black Cat, Golden Sheep, Yorkshire Sparkling, Adnams Southwold and Little Brew. Ciders were Thatcher’s Gold and Aspall’s Suffolk.

Called in on a busy Friday night,a multi roomed traditional pub, it seemed that only one person was working behind the bar and struggling to keep up,after a two minute wait and no nearer being served we had to sadly leave without a drink as train departure time was approaching and still another pub to do.Hope to try again someday.