Castle Arms Inn, Bedale

Looking every inch the village inn with roses round the door and sitting on the edge of the village green this is a long open plan building with accomodation at the back. Inside there is a flag floor and inglenook fireplace, plenty of horse brasses and brassware, further decoration comes from old prints and pictures. To the right is a more formal dining room with chairs and tables with table cloths, the other end, divided off by the big central fireplace, is more traditional pub in style. It has a dart board and shove ha'penny, seating is provided by chairs and pews at traditional wooden tables. The beer is excellent as befits a GBG listed pub, served with a big Yorkshire head. It's a Marston's pub but badged as Jennings and the Lakeland Bitter tastes more like the old Jennings beers than the more widely available Cumberland Ale. Lakeland was on two of the four handpumps while Pedigree and Brakspears occupied the others, the usual kegs are available from a low T Bar. There is a pleasant courtyard drinking area complete with a fairly posh smoking shelter at the rear and beyond is a small carpark and a small caravan park. Food is a major part of the pub's trade and the pub is deservedly popular. Nearby attractions are the Thorpe Perrow Aboretum and Snape Castle once the home of Henry VIII's last wife Catherine Parr.

Nice pub, my friend has a caravan nearby, usually have a walk down to the castle when we stay there. Nice friendly locals.