The Half Moon, Knaresborough

Nicely restored and cleaned from its previous incarnation, structurally unchanged but everything else has been improved to a high standard. Plain walls decorated with pictures, the wooden floors and some gentle music in the background give it a modern feel. The open fires and the old pews and settles are more old pub but the furnishings are a mix as some of the candle powered tables could be from Ikea. One part has a dark and intimate atmosphere while the bar area and beyond is well lit. Four pulls grace the counter, serving excellently kept local beers from Roosters and Rudgate as well as the ubiquitous Taylors Landlord and Black Sheep Bitter although these change from time to time. My beer was served in the correct branded glassware and the glass was dry on the outside reflecting the good level of service to be found. There's a sheltered smoking area in the side yard. On the down side it's at the bottom of a very steep hill so I had a couple of pints to fortify myself for the climb back to the town centre.

A small traditional pub at the bottom of a very steep hill standing next to the river by Low Bridge. A single room but the main bar is in tongue and groove while through an arch to the right is a plush upholstered more lounge like area. This has the dart board, bagatelle board and a big screen with a Wii plugged in to it! The bar is decorated with a horse racing theme and has an interesting kilt on legs table – the pub is run by a cheery Scotsman (in spite of a couple of hectoring signs in the window). Three handpumps with average Theakston's Best and London Pride on two of them, usual kegs but not cider. The atmosphere is that of someone's very lived in front room and there is a smell of dead curry about the place.