The Smiths Arms, Beckwithshaw A Pint Of Ale Pub Review
An old blacksmith’s workshop and village schoolroom, The Smiths Arms oozes character from the ancient wood. Primarily a diner’s pub, there’s a good choice of three real ales.
Matt and I took off for a random drive in a little-explored part of our local area. Our drive took us along the twisty up and downs of the road from Pool-in-Wharfedale and almost saw me driving into a plump pheasant - we were going to end up in a country pub and we were enjoying ourselves! We eventually arrived at The Smiths Arms.
Beckwithshaw is a tiny village near Harrogate. Opposite the church is the long low stone built pub and it looks gorgeous from the outside. We pulled into its large car park. When we got out, the smell of the nearby fields filled our nostrils as sun was setting. I noticed the big “Chef & Brewer” sign on the pub and my concerns were raised - it’s a chain pub complete with logo. I was thinking Two for One or Brewers Fayre naffness may await us inside. I could not have been more wrong!
Despite being part of a national chain, The Smiths Arms is a distinctive, characterful village local that is listed in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide. It’s an ancient building that was initially the local blacksmith’s forge. The blacksmith was also the original inn keeper, hence the name. The village school was also based in the upstairs room until 1865. This information is written on a large blackboard in the oldest part of the pub.
There were three cask ales available. I opted for a pint of Theakston’s Best, while Matt opted for the guest ale, Lord Lee’s from the local organic brewery, North Yorkshire Brewing Co. They were both decent pints, but served a little on the cold side, I think.
The ceilings are low and original wood is on show. Stone fireplaces are original and the terracotta tiles around the bar really give the place a good look. Dark wood panelling on the walls is complemented by recessed shelves that contain rustic nicknacks, cider urns, china cups and the like. There was very quiet music in the background and a silent fruit machine.
Being such a small village, The Smiths Arms is focussed on diners, who come from miles around, although the bar area in which we were sitting was busy. We did not try the food, but from what I’ve read, it seems to get really good reviews and we’ll be dropping in for some food in the weeks ahead.
I loved the feel of the Smiths Arms. It was characterful without being forced and it had the feel of a pub that knows its roots and is proud of them. It’s really good to see a national chain pub owner being able to keep the individuality of one of its pubs and to also keep a local selection of ales on tap. We’ll be back!
A comment by John
April 13th, 2007, 7.37pm
The Smiths Arms sounds like the kind of place my girlfriend and I would love to visit. We hope to do so next time we’re in the UK. Thanks for the helpful review.
- John & Melissa, USA
A comment by Mike
April 14th, 2007, 6.33pm
John, it’s a really good pub in the middle of nowhere and it’s good to see a place that’s proud of its history. Let me know when you’re next over in the UK and we’ll join you for a pint!
A comment by Sean Dodsworth
September 16th, 2007, 6.50pm
Yes its a good pub, friendly, warm and the beer is good, but the food portions are tiny and I mean small. Just eaten there a couple of hours ago, food was good but hardly any of it!!!!
A comment by Nik Hargreaves (Landlord)
November 5th, 2007, 12.51am
i was surprised to here that you felt the portion sizes were too small, there are a few items on the menu that are designed that way for people with smaller appetites.
we do have a new menu, which starts on the 8th November, and am sure you won’t have an issue with portion sizes on this one…
next time your in try the beef & ale pie, that should keep you going for a while
A comment by Ray Parry
November 13th, 2007, 7.50pm
This has to be the worst Sunday Lunch I have ever experienced in my entire 66 years!
As an ex-pat Harrogate Yorkshireman I travelled 200+ miles from my present home in Wiltshire eagerly anticipating a traditional Yorkshire “Sunday Dinner” at what I remembered as the best eating establishment for miles around Harrogate. Instead we were treated to a conglomeration of undercooked vegatables of a variety that never existed in my day in combination - courgettes, broccoli and carrots, a helping of mashed potatoes that could have been heaped on a teaspoon, a Yorkshire Pudding that was unrecognisable in all of shape, taste and consistency and most of all, gravy that looked like coloured water and tasted the same. An absolute disgrace for a meal that for a party of six including 2 children and merely nominal drinks cost £70+. This establishment should fire its chef and its present management for allowing such garbage to be served as “food” and for denegrating both traditions of “real” Yorkshire food and of a hostelry renowned in the past.