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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Royal Shepherd Inn, Skipton
Skipton
BD23 1LB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
ROB Camra left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
Called in here twice on a recent visit to Skipton. Trade must have picked up as they had 3 handpumps clipped. Multi-roomed pub right on the canal towpath. Loads of bric-a-brac all over the place. My pint was in good nick and Ms CAMRA liked the rose wine, so we had a look at the menu and I noticed that they had a giant 1lb steak pudding on the menu. I do like a proper steak pudding, so we decided to eat here later that evening. The pudding was very good, although the frozen veg could have been better, the gravy was very good too. I also tried another couple of pints, both in good nick. We'll call in here again next time we're in Skipton.
On 3rd July 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
A somewhat altered multi-roomed pub within falling in distance of the Leeds-Liverpool canal. On the bar are four hand pumps but only Tetleys Cask and Ossett Blonde on at the time of my visit. As it was Saturday night and the height of summer, I guess that they only ever have two beers on at a time, though I could be wrong. My half of the Tetleys was in good condition, and very well poured using the autovac to recycle the beer through the sparkler and eliminating waste. I'd like to call back here at a quieter time for the sake of the beer, as otherwise I didn't much enjoy myself - but that's Saturday nights, I suppose.
On 5th August 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 4274 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
A nice 3 roomed pub. Its a bit basic decor wise but was pleasant enough. A pool table is to the rear. 5 handpumps with beers from Butcombe, Moorhouse, Leeds breweries today. A canalside location with the canal out front.
On 29th October 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
General Staal left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
What a really nice pub! Four ales on, Copper Dragon Best, Saltaire Blonde, Butcombe Bitter and Romsey Blonde. Tried all of them except the Butcombe. They were top quality ales, but the Copper Dragon just nicked it. The barmaid worked her socks off, and was excellent. We also ate here. The food was superb. Only suggestion - put a dark ale on. But that's me being picky. I liked it in here. And I got to watch some of the Olympics in a civil atmosphere. Recommended!
On 12th August 2016
- rating: 9
[User has posted 142 recommendations about 125 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
Nice canal side pub, sadly my beer was utter carp, not off just dreadful, so I won't bother to expand the descriptions below as I left the beer and the pub in short order.
On 19th October 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
We must have hit it at a bad time there was no hand pumps on very quiet both had a quick half of cider and left it has been better but will call again
On 14th December 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
There's much detail in Mr Fastard's review below.
This is an attractive and comfortable boozer with a friendly welcome from the chatty landlord.
Beers on were Copper Dragon Best and Golden Pippin along with TT Landlord. The Golden Pippin was in great nick and flew down.
Skipton is a delightful town and this is one of finest pubs and I'd certainly head here again.
On 25th July 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 683 recommendations about 682 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
Originally a row of cottages that ran away from the canalside,they were knocked together to form the pub.Following a period of closure this Enterpise Inns house was reopened in Easter 2012 by a very friendly landlord who is keen to get the place back to former glories.
The interior from the front door is mainly a large open plan carpeted lounge with a huge red banquette to one side above which hangs an interesting map of the British Rail system in this part of the world from years gone by.This is where the main bar is situated,but to the right through a doorway there is a charming side snug with it's own serving hatch, tiled fireplace,a few round tables and chairs and an old TV for terrestrial sports coverage turned on only if someone wants to watch a match.Quite rightly the publican doesn't want to attract hordes of sports bar types,he is more focussed on a quite ,convivial place for folk to meet ,chat ,drink and eat.
There is also a small outside courtyard with a few pic nic style benches.
Four handpumps which included a very good Copper Dragon Golden Pippin,so good infact that I kept on that for the full session.
This is the only pub in the UK called The Royal Shepherd and was named after George III,who had this nickname.The people of Skipton like their sheep and took kindly to a monarch who introduced several new breeds to England before going mad.
You too would be crazy to miss out on this gem while in Skipton,I hope the new team find success here.I would always pop in while in town and hope the local CAMRA might look favourably on a GBG listing in future.
On 8th July 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
A very comfortable pub this one with friendly staff. Recently under new management, on our visit there was no food as the kitchen was under refurbishment. The pub deco was tired, so hopefully that will get a bit of a tidy up too. Three ales on, two from Copper Dragon and a Tim Taylor Landlord. Will call again.
On 22nd April 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3645 recommendations about 3645 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Royal Shepherd Inn
This is a three roomed pub next to the canal and not far from the middle of Skipton.
I went in the larger main room which was quite comfortable,there were four real ales on here i had a drink of Copper Dragon Bitter which was very nice the other beers were Copper Dragon Golden Pippin /1816 and Taylor Landlord.
I thought this was a really nice pub and i would be glad to come here again.
On 26th October 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]