The Farmers Arms, Richmond

Quite a moderately internally modernised village pub, noted for the large stuffed sheep on the roof of an adjacent building. It retains the old stone floor and fireplace but with new furnishings, banquettes in wood and tartan as well as rectangular tables with chairs. It has largely old photo decor. It’s divided into three areas, the main bar, a small area just off it and a side room, there’s outside seating as well. Four pulls, two from Theakstons, Best and Old Peculiar, plus two from the owner’s brewery and distillery in Leeds, in addition they own Haworth Steam Brewery. A quad T-bar has three national brews plus their own lager. There are a few badgering signs, don’t bring your own food and keep dogs off the furniture but thankfully not passive aggressive and understandable.

A small village pub with the main room apparently opened out, but there's the remnant of a small room to the right, and an actual snug to the left. The bar counter has a bit of a kink in it, which I seem to remember from a visit more than 25 years ago, but I'd be happy to be corrected. Three hand pumps had Theakstons Best, a beer from Haworth Steam Brewery and one called Farmers Shepherdess Resilient Blonde. Fittingly, the beer was a right proper mouthful, probably the best beer I've ever had with the word "blonde" in the name: crisp, clean flavours and a dry finish that lasted me all the way down the valley. The legend above the door now reads The Farmers Arms and Brewing Company, so I guess that this beer is brewed on the premises; other beers from the same source but in bottles are offered to take out at £3.50 each or three for £10. My half pint was a very reasonable £2, or £4 a pint and I made it NBSS 4 as well; I should have had a half at the Tan Hill and a pint here. Knowing now how good the beer is here means I don't have to cycle all the way up there next time I'm in Swaledale.