Kings Head, Richmond

First stop on day 3 of the Inn Way. Nice pub with Askrigg Ales on (we had a gold). An awful lot of signs telling you what you can and cant do. "To avoid further damage, dont touch the fire" All pleasant enough and perfect for our needs. Photos at my walking blog - http://bit.ly/1SRduGp

Like many Dales pubs, the Kings Head is a typically attractive stone building sitting in a small village on a main road between nowhere and somewhere else. It is one of those places that you aren’t necessarily looking for but it would be shame to drive past. It was originally built as a Blacksmiths but fortunately for us, the brewing aspect, that was initially little more than a side hobby, led to the place becoming a Coaching Inn in the 18th Century. The interior is a pair of rooms knocked through although retaining with a slight divide. The main feature is the huge brick fireplace that dominates one end although the electric fire present in front of it on my visit rather diminished the effect. A collection of jugs and urns includes mementos of the Swaledale Marathon which goes through the village and for the less energetic, a dart board hangs to one side of the bar. Outside is a small cobbled courtyard with a few benches although the Dales weather generally dictates its usuage. There were 2 ales available, the ubiquitous Black Sheep Best and the more endearing Dent Porter with prices being quite reasonable and quality very good. I didn’t note any details regarding food but they were preparing for a curry night when we arrived (which we unfortunately couldn’t hang around for). There is no doubting that the pub has plenty of character and it was certainly very welcoming although the small beer selection knocks it back a little. The pub has fallen on hard times in recent years but its future seems to be far more secure under the current ownership which is all the more reason to drop in if you find yourself passing by.