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Punch Bowl Inn, Swaledale

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user reviews of the Punch Bowl Inn, Swaledale

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Very much a pub where people go to eat, rather than drink. While there's nothing wrong with that, a small change of emphasis would make both welcome, and give a greater sense of community. The food, although not cheap, is of very high quality and I have never had anything other than delicious fare. Booking is advisible, especially for weekends. There are a few tables outside, and on a warm summer's evening, there can be few greater pleasures than sitting with a pint of Black Sheep admiring the magnificent views down the Swaledale valley.
Marlow - 6 Jul 2009 13:02
We gave it a year and tried again. This time we came in for a pint early on a Friday evening: the fire was lit, but the welcome was chilly: something much more interesting was happening at the back of the bar. We weren�t planning to eat, but they didn�t know that.
There were a few couples in, but it was hardly thronged, and no local faces: a pub in such an isolated community such as Low Row should be at the heart of things.
The fixtures and fittings were beautifully made, and clearly no expense was spared in the refurbishment, but the place was soulless, like any trendy city bar.
I really wanted to like this pub, as I�ve heard so many tales of its heydays in the 60s and 70s. I very much doubt if dogs would be welcome, and the Riggwelter was average.
4/10.

wittenden - 6 Nov 2008 22:50
Visited the pub for a meal in november 2007. The welcome was uninviting and the room was very cold although the fire was lit. The decor is very nice, exceptionally clean and modern but the pub is not a typical walkers or dales pub and dogs are not allowed. This is a place for more of a special occasion and both the food and drink are very good. The limited menu choice is upmarket including swordfish, chicken and locally aged steak with a pleasant range of vegetables and potatoes. The presentation of the food is also good. Three courses are recommended if you are hungry with both the starters and desserts very nice. �20 per person is an average price for a three course meal.
rkendall - 25 Nov 2007 15:22
We indeed visited this pub in October and were sadly disappointed: the "welcome" was cold; the service acceptable. The refurbishment has left the pub a clone of any city minimalist bar, not conducive to a quiet pint.On a late October evening the fire was unlit, surely the heart of any dales pub.On the other hand, the beer, Rigwelter was on good form, and the food excellent.However, it lacks the buzz of its big sister the CB in Langthwaite, Arkengarthdale, and is a great disappointment.For a pleasant pint in a proper pub we'll continue to use the King's Head in Gunnerside.
wittenden - 4 Nov 2007 22:39
After being closed for some years, this pub has been acquired, renovated and reopened by the owners of the CB Inn in Arkengarthdale. I understand that it "has gone upmarket": we hope to find uot for ourselves this autumn.Perhaps a return to its glory days .
wittenden - 25 Mar 2007 08:17
Set amongst truly beautiful scenery this pub offers the tasty (but lethal) Theakston's Old Peculiar.Black Sheep too.Ideal for walkers.Good Value accomation with bunk rooms also.
James - 12 Nov 2004 02:29

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