The Dyneley Arms, Pool in Wharfedale A Pint Of Ale Pub Review
The gleaming, recently renovated Dyneley Arms re-opened a couple of hours ago. Mike and Glen popped along for a quick pint.
The Dyneley Arms used to be a deep green rendered monstrosity on the crossroads of the A658 and the A660 at Pool in Wharfedale, but it was gutted by fire in 2002. Recently it has been a building site and over the last year, a gleaming sandstone building has emerged - all signs of the green render gone and replaced with what looks like new mixed with original Yorkshire stone. There was no hint that this was going to be a pub once more - it looked more like a set of smart flats. But recently the Dyneley Arms sign has reappeared and tonight at 8pm, the pub officially reopened, more or less as it would have been in 1850.
This is a Sam Smith’s pub, so the ale on offer is Old Brewery at the fantastic price of £1.38. The pub looks amazing. It has been completely renovated to an exceedingly high standard, from the gleaming stones and ornate car park lamps to the rich, traditional wallpapers and deep oak inside. This is no “modern conversion” - there are no open spaces in this pub. We counted about six small rooms, each decorated in deep, rich, traditionally English colours with traditional, cosy curtains and the odd coke-fired real fire burning away. It’s difficult to talk about a pub’s atmosphere when it’s only been open 20 minutes, but this place felt cosy and friendly, and I am sure that this will continue.
Starting tomorrow, the pub will serve a complete menu of food. Food is available at every seat in each room, but there appeared to be a larger room which I would class as the dining room. The menu seemed well-priced and seemed to be traditional English fare, prepared with local ingredients as much as possible.
Old Brewery can be an acquired taste, one that some people can never manage to acquire. Tonight though, it was served in excellent condition and I felt it tasted spot on. It’s not my favourite ale, but at the price and in the surroundings, I will not complain.
I’ll definitely revisit the Dyneley Arms, although I do worry that the pub building looks like an anonymous house at the side of the road. There is only one sign that proclaims that the pub exists, and this stands some way off from the building at the entrance to one of the car parks. I hope that this does not cause the pub to suffer. I found an interesting article from The Press of York about the “famously publicity shy” brewery from 2000: Brewery drops brand logo. It makes interesting reading in light of this pub’s image. Best of luck - based on what I saw tonight, this pub deserves success!
A comment by Nick & Pauline Moulsdale
March 9th, 2008, 8.17am
After such a long wait, following a fire in 2002, I was expecting something good. Boy were we disappointed :~(( . Lots of little rooms, no atmosphere, decoration from the suicidal school of design (ie way beyond gloomy), a pathetic selection or drinks, no real coke, tiny bottles of non-alcoholic drink, 1.5% charge for using a debit card, food that was “industrial”. Enormous portions of soggy chips, undercooked fish, steak pie that was made of that shreds of meat and so little gravy they added a tiny gravy boat of brown fat. Staff were undertrained, the menu on day 4 said “Pie of the day” £5.95, but I was charged £8.75. I complained and was told “no pie of the day today”. I said I ordered pie of the day so She said we’ll refund the difference of £1.80. I repeatly said the difference was £2.80, but was not believed till I asked her to put it through the calculator (!). And then - without being told - the 1.5% surcharge was added. Not a fun experience, we will not be returning. Its back to the Shoulder of Mutton for us. Nick & Pauline
A comment by Anthony Greenfield & family
March 22nd, 2008, 3.16pm
We went to the newly re-opened Dyenley Arms for lunch today 22/3/08 and had a great time. The decor is good and the various small rooms make it quite cosy. The food was excellent. We had the vegetable soup, macaroni cheese, fish and extra thick chips and fish pie. All went down very well. We recommend it and will be going again soon.
A comment by James
March 31st, 2008, 4.11pm
I had a great time on Easter Sunday at the Dyneley arm. I really liked the decor and think the ‘gloomy’ look suited the place. Although maybe I’m just a gloomy person! Great views from many of the windows.
The beer was cheap and excellent and food although nothing out of this world was what I would consider very decent pub food. Think they had a few problems with their computers to start but on it’s way to be a quality place to spend a sunday afternoon
A comment by Mrs Obrien
April 13th, 2008, 4.17pm
I am a Pool local and will be dining at the Dyneley very soon with some friends and hope it will not let them down. Many comments from locals say that the pub needs its name on the front!!!! you drive past and think ‘that looks nice’but if you are not a local then you have no idea of its name so that you can book. One person I know thought it was an Old Peoples Home!!!!!! Also the web site does not include the telephone number. I would have thought that the name on the front plus the telephone number on the wed site would be good and free marketing. Am dining there with freinds on the 29th so hope it is enjoyable. If it is then the White Hart may have competition!!!. By the way the telephone number is not on the Web site and when I ring 118 500 they have not listing either.
A comment by Scott Thomas
April 14th, 2008, 11.17am
the decor of the new pub was simply brilliant. i especially loved the young staffs service, one of the best ive ever seen. not only were they 3 of best male waiters i have ever been served by, but they were so polite, kind, caring, considerate and thoughtful of our needs. Brilliant! 10/10
Scott Loves Dyneley arms
A comment by paddy
April 21st, 2008, 3.31pm
i was absoloutly delighted with this fine establishment. the service was fantastic and the prices out of this world!! the food was beautiful and very filling, i would recomend the gammon and the beef suet to anyone. there were 2 young female bar staff who were polite and very funny and made everyone feel welcome. the atmosphere was very welcoming also and the rooms are lovely and cosy then htere is a nice big room at the back which i found rather nice with the view to armscliffe crag. and i will definatley be back for more visits and would recomend any one to go and enjoy. thankyou sam smiths!! well done to the staff perfection at its best!
A comment by Jane
April 23rd, 2008, 12.09pm
Not impressed at all with the service! The staff seem to be lacking in social skills. There is a 1.5% sur charge on debit cards! You walk in and have no idea whether to find a seat or go to the bar for food and there is no member of staff on hand to advise! The food was really nice. It’s just a shame that the staff and miserable atmosphere will prevent me from going again.
A comment by Kate
May 11th, 2008, 10.10am
After 4 years of being empty, at last the Dyneley has re-opened and it is a wonder! So beautifully rebuilt and decorated as the Victorians would have done it, with little snug rooms which are all different (yes, different - not a theme winebar in sight). The staff are a little young but perfectly polite. The beer is cheap and nicely kept, slides down a treat. Haven’t tried the food but the menu wasn’t very exciting. The loos are fantastic!!!
A comment by Pat Race
May 11th, 2008, 10.34am
Went to the Dyneley Arms on May Day Bank Holiday Monday with my daughter & son. We were very impressed with the decor. The staff were very friendly & helpful & the food was delicious. We all agreed that we would certainly visit this pub again.
A comment by Richard Bailey
May 13th, 2008, 7.06am
I agree - it’s a triumphant restoration. This place gleams! Surprising too, since I associate Sam Smith’s pubs with unrestored, if charming, buildings.
A comment by Steve McAulay
May 13th, 2008, 4.08pm
Absolutely wonderful! Living in Ben Rhydding I’ve watched the Wheatley, a good pub with a fine reputation, left to rot for six years by Punch because they weren’t allowed to turn it into flats. Now along comes Sam Smiths showing the oily accountants how a brewer does it and flying in the face of all the “received trade wisdom”. I shall use it, and his other marvellous curiosities, as often as I can. (The amazing Angel in Leeds, The fantastic White Horse in Beverley and the beautiful Malt Shovel in Oswaldkirk as well as my cosy local Menston Arms.)Strength to his arm.