The Cover Bridge Inn, Leyburn

As was the case with the previous reviewer, this pub was easily the best of 10 pubs we visited in the Dales and the surroundings on a Saturday afternoon. Located next to a narrow bridge and on a sharp bend, the pub does have a car park opposite it but this is not clearly signposted. Look for the narrow gaps in the tall hedges that partially surround it. Also, be careful crossing the road to the pub. It's a junction with bends preventing you seeing any cars coming from 2 ways and the bridge stopping you from hearing what is coming over from that side too! The interior is split into 3 sections. There is a traditional public bar in the centre with carpet and a large fireplace. A projector screen can be pulled down over the fireplace for live sporting events. To the right is another room also with access to the bar. It contains a piano, another smaller fireplace and a guitar on the wall. There is also a dining room to the left, adjacent to the kitchen. Food smelt good. Specials were Steak, Guinness & Walnut Pie, Lemon & Herb Chicken & Biscoff, White Chocolate & Caramel Cheesecake. Seating is completed with a popular garden to the rear which is next to the bridge. Listed in the Good Beer Guide, this pub has 8 cask ales with all of the handpulls in the main bar. Regular appearances are made by Theakston Best Bitter & Old Peculier, Timothy Taylor Landlord & Wensleydale Semer Water. Guests for our visit were Wensleydale Both Ends Burning, Wadworth Admiral's Grog, Lakedown Goldhawk & Wilde Child Opulent Macrocosm. Beers are listed on a board to the side of the bar. Ciders were also listed there. These were Lilley's Cherries & Berries, Weston's Old Rosie, Abrahall's Ruby Tuesday & Masham Original Dry. Keg beers were dispensed from the other bar. I went for the local cider, which was as dry as I had anticipated. Service was generally fine. Although I was a little perturbed to be served after a couple of locals who walked in after us. The young barman knew what the guy wanted and had started pouring it before he would serve us. Barmaids seemed much more professional and were friendly and welcoming. One managed to kill a couple of wasps that were causing a nuisance with a glass, but only after one had stung the solitary bar blocker on the back of the neck! Dogs are allowed in and live music is held fairly regularly. A wifi code provided behind the bar did not work. Whilst the ladies have toilets near the pub's entrance, gents have to head outdoors to the side of the pub. Despite the service forthcomings, this was my favourite pub of the day with a nice atmosphere, a great setting and the best range of ales and ciders we witnessed during the day.

The Cover Bridge Inn has been on my to-do list for a few years now, but somehow I was always passing this way when it was closed. (Maybe their opening times have changed, as the pub is open from 11 every day except Sunday when it's 12.) I finally made it this week, and was very glad to open the door (it's a tricky latch) onto a pleasant bar room with a very good fire. Through a door to the right is another room, with another section of bar counter (and another fire). Both sections of the bar have four hand pumps, making eight in total (see photos for beers available when I was here). My pint of Black Sheep Best was in very good condition, but there were several other beers I'd have been happy to go for if it weren't for the need to remain upright on my bicycle. A few of the other customers were clearly doing walks along the valley and having sandwiches with their lunchtime drinks. There was a friendly atmosphere and I left the pub with some regret, but intending to return before too long.