Crown & Anchor, Sowerby, Thirsk

Large, open plan, U shaped room with a mainly splendid choice of ales. One end is a lounge set out for dining, the other is a comfortable bar, modern but in a traditional style with dark wood, mixed furniture and pump clips as object d'art. There is a dart board, games machine and big screen telly with Sky Sports in the bar area. Five handpumps serving John Smiths Cask plus four changing beers mainly from Yorkshire micros, my pint (Acorn) was in really excellent condition, if only I wasn't driving I would of had another. The standard range of kegs found in a lot of Yorkshire pubs will be found here. The other punters were fine and the staff were great. The pub is the only one in the older part of the village of Sowerby, in the main street which is lined with agreeable, and pricey, 18th and 19th century houses. Handy for the auction mart and A19/A168 interchange, if you're in a car, outstandingly better than most Thirsk pubs.