What makes a Good Pub "Good"?

I don't know about you, but I rate any pub I visit on a sliding-scale across several factors.

Firstly, when I walk into a new place I try to get a feel for the general atmosphere - what's the Vibe?

Then there is the welcome at the bar.

Next up is the general level of service from the bar staff.

In a Nation where the ONLY place that we don't queue-up in a line is the public bar - do the staff keep an eye on who to serve next amongst the throng at the bar?

Then, being from North Yorkshire, there is the value for money factor - not that we're all tight wads - but we might be "canny" with money!

A good customer mix is also important to me - with a range of folks from across the social spectrum in the bar.

If a pub looks like it attracts walkers, students, back-packers, building workers, retiree's, and stock-brokers, it's a safe bet it's going to be good (although not too many stock-brokers please).

A little less important is the decor - so long as there is some basic hygiene around clean glasses and the like, I'm usually happy.

But most important of all is the quality of beer.

How's this for a Well-stocked Bar?

Whether cask-conditioned real Ale, or chilled and artifically fizzed, the beer still needs to be good.

I won't go into dining and pub food issues too much; but if I'm eating out, then quality home cooked produce, taste, timely service, value for money and table-clearing at the end are all important factors.

So, having said all that, it's time for my third review of the 28 I'm aiming to complete in February that highlight some of our great historic Inns on the North York Moors.

This one - for as long as I can remember - has ticked all the boxes mentioned above - and is in a very real sense the closest pub to a beer drinkers Heaven that you'll find on the Moors!

Standing out on its own and high-up above the 400 metre contour on the North York Moors above Rosedale, I'm talking about the Lion Inn - or the "Blakey" as the locals call it.

The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge

Apparently, the Lion Inn is the fourth highest pub in England; but it wins hands-down for shear isolation.

The Lion Inn can only be described as being in the middle of nowhere - but in a good way.

The Lion Inn Stands in Splendid Isolation Overlooking Rosedale to the Left.

And when you arrive and walk through the low-door leading to the bar, you'll soon discover that this pub is definitely somewhere!

It's somewhere offering an oasis of warmth and comfort to the weary ramblers and cyclists who head to the Blakey in droves throughout all seasons.

The Lion Inn lies directly on the Coast-to-Coast walking path; and it's also on the Lyke Wake Walk so it see's a lot of foot-traffic.

It's somewhere offering fantastic North Yorkshire hospitality, lovely food and great beer to everyone else who more sensibly drives up there!

And outside, on a clear day, the Lion Inn is somewhere offering the most amazing views in the whole of England.

They look even better over a Black Sheep, Theakstons, Thwaites, or Copper Dragon.

And like all pubs these days, they sell wine, spirits and soft drinks as well.

Once inside, you'll discover a bar, two lounges and three restaurant areas.

Being so old - built about 450 years ago - when English people were much shorter, the pub ceilings are very low.

I'm 6'3" and forever need to remind myself to duck-down when visiting the Blakey.

Here's another tip - make sure to note exactly where you parked your car in the carpark.

Being so high-up on the exposed Moors, the Blakey has it's own weather systems.

You can arrive in bright sunshine at 6pm but leave later to find thick fog (or blowing snow) at the door with no sign of your car in the swirling weather.

In fact, just finding the car park can be an adventure in itself!

Now then, Where Did I Park the Car?

But don't worry, if you need to stay the night, the Lion Inn offers 13 rooms for B+B; and there is also a camping field on the more sheltered side of the pub together with a secure storage area for bicycles.

I've also experienced the odd night of sleeping on the floor in front of the fire when I was a bit younger!

On the food side - the Lion Inn was a "destination gastropub" 40-year's ago before the marketing people even came up with the concept.

And thankfully, the kitchen has never heard of nouvelle cuisine.

You'll be served proper Yorkshire portions with the pub's lunch and dinner menus offering - amongst other items - steak sandwiches, T-bone steaks, casserole's, cod or haddock in batter, and leek and mushroom crumble.

For further information and bookings, call the Lion Inn on 01751 417320.

Getting There

Guests staying at Rosella Cottage in the village of Rosedale Abbey in Rosedale - directly below the Lion Inn - can walk or cycle to the pub; or drive there by car or motorbike

The on-road cycle ride (or car trip) is 14-miles return.

The across-country walk is 8-miles return.

For everyone else; the Lion Inn is located on the Blakey Road between Castleton and Hutton-le-Hole (postcode = YO62 7LQ).

It's about 45-minutes from Middlesbrough via the A171 or an hour's drive from York via the A64 and A170.