Unicorn Inn, Richmond

Can't add anything to OB's recent review, except that I found what ever character there was to be unwelcoming on a Thursday mid afternoon. Two hand pumps reversed,was offer John Smith's Smooth C@@p,so skittadled.

Down to earth multi space pub with low ceilings, dark woodwork, banquette seating, and carpets, in other words lots of character. A lot of reworking has got on but the atmosphere is good. Two pulls of Wensleydale beers plus one reversed, but excellent quality. DJ lights and speakers suggest music of some sort now and then but I didn’t see any posters for events. Screens and machines.

Situated in a small, attractive cobbled square a couple of hundred yards from the main Town Square, the Unicorn dates from the 16th Century although it was first used as a pub in 1760. It appears from the outside that it has been expanded at some stage through adjoining cottages. The quite narrow interior is knocked through but dvided into 3 distinct areas that follow the bend in the road outside. The décor is similar throughout, slightly dated and a little tatty in places but, along with the low ceilings, open fires and paneled walls, the place does have plenty of character. The main bar centres on a large fireplace and has some cosy seats in the windows. The bar itself is quite small and can be a bit inaccessible when the pub is busy. To the left of the bar is an extended area containing a dart board, a few built in seats and some bare looking shelves. At the opposite end of the pub is a quieter area with more built in seating and there is a courtyard to the rear that is more of a smokers retreat than a worthwhile feature. Dotted around the pub are a few interesting displays and snippets including some undated newspaper cuttings outlining the successes of the pub’s football team (with a framed shirt next to it), a history of the pub and shelves are laden with urns and bottles. One display refers to violent fights in the pub in 1837 between the navies building the new road to Reeth but fortunately things were a little calmer for my visit. I didn’t note any TV’s and there was a non-intrusive jukebox and it was pleasing to find a pub in town on a Saturday night that wasn’t pandering to the karaoke junkies. The customer base was a decent missed bag of all ages and no sign of any mouthy yobs that I encountered in various other pubs in the vicinity The beers were a bit of a let down with 2 ales, Theakstons Best and Morland Old Speckled Hen and a third pump unused. Not the greatest selection of ales but quality and priceing were fine and it is probably no worse than most of its competitors. Having done most of the pubs in town during my trip, the Unicorn came across as one of the better options although a more adventurous ale range would certainly help take it up a notch.