Buck Inn, Buckden

My partner and I had sunday lunch here today after a 3 hours walk up Buckden Pike and from entering to leaving 1 hour later it was a most pleasing experience. A warm welcome at the bar was complemented by friendly and efficient service at the table. The bar is very well stocked with a range of real ales. A couple of Theakston's on tap, including Cooper's Butt of which I had a pint. Very good it was, too. Others that I remember were two from Caledonian Brewery and Deuchars IPA. I'm sure there was at least one more but can't recall what. The Sunday roast was delicious and plentiful, including TWO big Yorkshires, a mix of beef, pork & ham and some of the tastiest veg I've ever had. There's a BIG screen TV where a chap was watching the Spurs/Arsenal game, but it is in a separate room (looked very comfortably furnished) and so doesn't intrude on those who prefer a more traditional pub experience. Clearly, this place has been completely turned around since the new proprietors moved in last summer. We shall certainly be back before too long.

3 Mar 2013 19:18

The New Inn, Clapham

I quite often encounter this pub at the end of a walk, while waiting for the bus home. I have yet to have a positive experience of the place. Lasagne like a brick, obviously microwaved from frozen. Beer distinctly below average. Welcome? Please don't make me laugh.

Advice? Go to the Bunk Barn, 50 yards up the lane alongside the right of the river, as you turn in to the car park. Cheaper beer and better to boot.

13 Feb 2012 23:53

The Buck Inn, Malham

First, the good news: this is not my local. If it was, I'd have frequent flyer miles from the supermarket and be an authority on all things telly.

Now for the bad news...

It's all that a tourist trap is renowned for. Overly expensive beer, served at the wrong temperature, accompanied by overly expensive and distinctly average food. And lord help you, gentlemen, if you need to visit the toilet at the same time as another. You'll need a shoehorn to get in.

All this is, depressingly, to be expected in a tourist area. But what is utterly inexcusable is to be asked to pay the same price for a pint of Coca-Cola (�3.60) as for a pint of Taylor's Landlord. That is blatant profiteering and, in an area with no public transport, hardly conducive to promoting sensible attitudes towards a designated driver system. Locals and tourists alike deserve better.

13 Feb 2012 18:38