Another Great Place for Dining

bird small

In yesterday's post I reviewed the Blacksmiths Arms in Lastingham; and today I'm reviewing another Blacksmiths Arms - this time at Hartoft on the North York Moors.

Just why there are two pubs with the same name in neighbouring villages - and less than four-miles apart is a mystery to me?

I guess that in days of old - when horses dominated the rural economy of the North York Moors - that Blacksmith's were an important feature of the local community, and held in high regard.

Moorland Signpost

The Blacksmith's Arms is an Ideal Stop-off When Walking or Cycling Between the Four Moorland Villages of Rosedale, Lastingham, Hutton-le-Hole and Hartoft.

The Blacksmiths Arms at Hartoft

The Blacksmiths Arms is really a traditional country hotel - with public bars and  a great restaurant.

Blacksmiths Hartoft 

The Blacksmiths is a Traditional Country Hotel with a Focus on Good Dining.

Located in the lower part of the valley of Rosedale, it is a bigger pub than most others on the Moors - but it retains the intimate and cosy feel of many of the North York Moors' traditional pubs.

And that's a good thing!

The hotel was closed for a while; and then refurbished and re-opended in September 2010 by current owners Howard and Daphne Hebron.

As a traditional Country Hotel, they offer 16 rooms on a B+B basis, and serving lunch and dinner to residents and non-residents alike.

As a pub open to non-residents, there is a large front bar room with log-burner and darts board; and a smaller back bar or lounge; and an even smaller "snug" room.

Blacksmiths Hartoft Main Bar

The Main Bar which Serves to Rooms on Both Sides of the Pub.

There are also seperate rooms offering dining.

So the pub is quite a warren to wander around - don't get lost!

The first dining area is a small private room with room for just eight diners together.

The second is a cosy fire side restaurant with table space for about 20 people.

Then there is the main restaurant area with room for around 50 people at tables.

Inside the main restaurant is a huge cast-iron range which is well worth a look!

Blacksmiths Hartoft Range

Make Sure to Check-out the Old cast-iron Range in the Main Restaurant.

Outside is a beer garden to the rear and some nice seating options to the front - by the roadside - when the weather is warmer.

So food service is a big part of the Blacksmiths appeal.

But beside the food and drink on offer; the thing I like about the Blacksmiths are the hand-made walking sticks and artwork that they offer for sale.

It is worth time walking around and seeing whatever is currently on offer.

On the beer front, the bar serves three hand-pulled real Ales plus the usual taps for keg beer, lagers and cider.

At the moment, the real Ales are from the World's End Brewary; as well as the staple "Blacksheep".

Blacksmiths Hartoft Cosy Fire

The Cosy open-fire Makes for a Nice Warm Welcome on Cold February Days.

Getting to Hartoft End

Hartoft sits astride the road between Aislby on the A171 and Rosedale Abbey (postcode = YO18 8EN).

It is also about 5-minutes by car from Rosella Cottage here in Rosedale Abbey, 20 minutes by bicycle, or an hour to walk.

Just head-off down Pry Hills Lane from Rosella Cottage here in Rosedale Abbey and you'll soon pass the Blacksmiths Arms on the left side of the road.

For further information and bookings, call the Hotel on 01751 417331.

bird small