The Birch Hall Inn, Whitby

Facebook page of The Birch Hall Inn - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Birch Hall Inn - www.facebook.com

Absolutely splendid little pub in an idyllic location by a stone bridge over the rocky river. The main action is in the little public bar, which has not so much a bar as a hatch through to the ancient sweetshop and general stores next door, with the same person serving at both. The ceiling is brown painted boards and the walls have antique floral wall paper. To say the furnishing is traditional is an understatement - the benches round the sides have ancient cushions, with a handful of old dining chairs to help out. Somehow a dartboard is squeezed in the middle, but there isn't really room to play if there are more than half a dozen customers. An old gas lamp hangs over the hatch but a couple of electric bulbs provide light nowadays. Some way down a stone passageway past the toilets there is a riverside garden. The tiny bar at the front of the building is equally timeless and even smaller but does at least have a counter. It is not always open however. Ales on were Black Sheep and two from North Yorkshire brewery, including the rather nice malty house ale and in excellent condition. Food is limited to pork pies and butties, and it is popular with walkers, which is handy as parking is limited to a handful of roadside spaces. A definite experience and worth seeking out.

We walked here from Goathland on the old railway incline, after having read with enthusiasm the pub's entry in Camra's inventory of historically important pub interiors. We entered the "big bar" on the left, which is apparently the original pub, but having manoeuvred through the packed crowd to the bar, found no one serving. We therefore went out and to the "little bar" next to the shop, which dates back to the 1940s. This was also full to bursting, but we spied a couple of hand pumps and after a short wait we were served. The choice was Black Sheep Bitter or the house beer: Beck Watter brewed by the North Yorkshire Brewery. The weather was fine and warm, for January, so we went outside and begged a little space on one of the benches. This is a lovely village and an interesting pub, unique even. I would not say that it was one of my more impressive pub experiences, though. Date of visit: 8th January 2017