The Northallerton Inn, Northallerton

Facebook page of The Northallerton Inn - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Northallerton Inn - www.facebook.com

A smart hotel in the former police station, although the large bar and restaurant areas spread across the front are more geared to visitors than residents. Clearly a lot of money has been spent on it, with prices set accordingly. The handpumps offered Theakston's XB and Black Sheep Blonde, with Black Sheep Best clip reversed. I have to say the XB condition was not great, but it was just about drinkable - the diners seemed happy enough though. Flashy, but room for improvement.

Spread over three areas, the counter is rear centre with dining tables and chairs in all areas. Four pulls Black Sheep Bitter, Black Sheep Respire, Helmsley Yorkshire Legend and Theakston’s XB plus a couple of T-Bars. Pretty much as described by Will, there is some panelling and exposed brick at one end and some non flower pictures and decorative items, the botany can be a bit much but not as bad as some decor I’ve come across.

An extraordinary reimagining of the old police station, with an emphasis on flowers and greenery. Different designs are to be seen in curtains, upholstery, wall- and ceiling-papers and even real plants. It's part of the Inn Collection group, some of whose efforts in the Lake District have attracted derision from me, but this one gets a slight nod of approval. The bar is at the back, with four hand pumps. Two were Black Sheep Bitter (with one on and one coming soon - can this be right?), the others being Helmsley Yorkshire Legend and another Helmsley pump clip turned round (or possibly another duplicate?). It was not quite 11am, so I went for a coffee. I'll be back to do a beer or two.