Bridge Inn, Richmond

The Bridge Inn is probably the pick of the pubs in the immediate Reeth area. It is a 15 minute stroll from from the centre of Reeth but many of the local published walking trails pass it so if the doors are open, there isn't really an excuse not to pop in. A warm, cosy and civilized pub but it does admittedly lean towards the dining end of the pub spectrum. It is also a bit of a magnet for dog walkers and you can expect to trip over at least 3 slumped canines as you work your way to the bar. The interior is split into 3. The main bar in the centre has beamed ceilings, open fire, old local pictures and brewery mirrors. The bar area is awash with with pump clips, postcards, banknotes and tankards. To the right of the bar is a pool room with some overspill seating when things get busy (and it is a very popular place). To the left of the main bar is a restaurant with a sofa section containing chess sets, an aquarium and an old wind up “His Masters Voice” gramophone. Outside on the roof is a life size model of a swaledale sheep with a horn - not sure what that's all about. Beerwise, there were 4 Ales on hand pump – Jennings Cumberland (it is a Jennings pub), Hobgoblin, Ringwood Best and Banks Bitter, a selection that does at least differ from the ubiquitous Black Sheep and Theakstons that dominate all the pubs for miles around although I would like to have seen an ale from one of the other local breweries. No TV's, music or mobile phones (you'll be lucky to get a signal anyway) so it's a pretty relaxed and peaceful place to spend an evening. On the downside, some of the seating in the main bar is awkwardly placed near doors but if there was anything that annoyed me about the place it was the number of diners in the bar. One (very pleasant) couple even asked to share our table despite there being plenty of room in the adjacent restaurant. Maybe I'm missing something but there was space in the restaurant all evening so it wasn't as if they were fully booked. I presume there is a reason behind it but it certainly escapes me. Although we didn't eat here the food did look (and smell) very good and the prices were very reasonable for what you were getting. Despite its diners in the bar problem, the Bridge was certainly one of the best pubs we visited in our Dales week and is well worth stopping by. The “Cathedral of the Dales” opposite is also worth a quick visit.

Beautiful setting in Swaledale near the tourist honeypot of Reeth. There is a large comfortable traditional bar, with a pool room at a lower level to one side and a dining room to the other. Decently kept beers from Jennings, Ringwood and other Marstons group breweries on the four handpumps plus Peroni and Budweiser Budvar kegs along with the more ubiquitous Fosters, and Guinness also Marstons own version of Nitrokeg. The bar is decorated with photos of the dale, postcards, bank notes, old bottles and beer mats, notably some from the defunct Carlisle brewery. Friendly staff and there is an outdoor drinking/smoking area. If driving be careful on the sharp turn out of the carpark.