The Cross Keys, Knaresborough

If you like a good traditional pub, with a friendly barmaid and Ossett Brewery beer, then you have come to the right place. There were four regular Ossett ales and two guest on handpump on our visit. I went for the Inception as always, when visiting an Ossett pub, whilst Mrs Ale went for the Bridestones Summit.

This imposing looking pub was taken over by the Ossett Brewery back in 2010 and given the usual high standard refurbishment associated with their estate. You enter through a set of stained glass double doors into a large open plan interior with the servery along the back wall. The bar has a very nice decorative counter and a simpler bar back, and sits in a quarry stone floored part of the room which offers plenty of space for vertical drinking, as well as a few standard tables and chairs and an upturned barrel with the day’s papers on it. To the right is a bare boarded area with banquettes to the front and rear and a padded bench on the right hand wall, next to a quaint brick fireplace with an Ossett mirror above. The walls are decorated with a number of black and white photographs of local landmarks such as the Knaresborough Castle and Mother Shipton’s Cave, each nicely framed with a short, informative caption. Bottles, tankards and books line a high shelf and round out a nicely presented space that helps to retain the pub’s traditional feel. To the left of the bar there is a pleasant seating area, partly screened by some sections of partitioning wall. There is more stained glass on show here and the seating is predominantly comfortable looking banquettes. Music played softly throughout my stay, which was as well, as the place was very quiet on a Saturday afternoon. The ale range was as strong as you might expect from an Ossett pub, with options on this visit comprising Ossett Excelsior, Silver King, Jenkins Bitter and Yorkshire Blonde, Welbeck Abbey Portman Black and Acorn Kohatu IPA. My Silver King was in good shape and served to me by a very friendly barman who also gave an unprompted top-up, which I always think is a good sign. I probably didn’t see this place at its best, as the atmosphere was rather sombre – in contrast to what I imagine can be quite lively evenings. I thought the pub looked very good and I certainly felt comfortable in here and as such, I’d be keen to visit again when there are a few more customers in.