Our Branch area of Harrogate, Ripon, Knareborough and surrounding villages is blessed with a great variety of real ale pubs, both traditional and contemporary.

On this page we'll be covering all the latest pub news, with reviews and features on pubs, breweries and ales. We'll also be compiling a definitive guide to the best pubs, using feedback from local CAMRA members. Please get in touch with any information or comments you feel relevant here.

LATEST NEWS

The Swan flies again
Eagle eyed drinkers may have noticed a major refurbishment currently happening at the former Black Swan pub on Devonshire Place in High Harrogate.

As the new signage indicates, it has been renamed 'The Swan on the Stray', and is the latest acquisition by Knaresborough based Market Town Taverns, who also own the hugely popular Old Bell Tavern in Harrogate town centre. So we can expect several real ales on draught, and a wide choice of continental beers. The pub is due to open by the end of January.

Other pubs in this small chain include Bar t'at in Ilkley, Brigantes in York, and The Narrow Boat in Skipton.

A full list can be found at www.markettowntaverns. co uk

We'll run a feature on the pub during February.

Drop into the Dropping Well
Known as Mother Shipton's Inn for many years, this ancient Knareborough pub reverted to its original name, The Dropping Well Inn, when it reopened at the end of December. Theakstons bitter was available when we visited, hopefully with others to follow as the other handpumps are up and running.

Harwood reopens
The Harwood at Pannal station has a grand re-opening on Monday 26th October, following its recent closure (again). The new tenants are certainly trying to raise its profile this time round, including press advertising. Fine ales are promised, which we'll check out and report back on shortly.

Join the Union
The Union pub at Calcutt (Knaresborough), has recently come under new management, and has a stronger focus on real ale. As a Marstons house it serves Pedigree and a couple of ales from it's brewery acquisitions: Jennings Cumberland Ale and Ringwood Best Bitter, along with a guest which is currently Wychwood Hobgoblin. We'll be adding The Union to our Knaresborough pub crawl page.

Recent Closures
We are sad to report the closure of The Iron Duke in Harrogate, and The Turks Head in Ripon, both featured in our pub crawl pages.

It was also reported that the Square & Compass at North Rigton had closed, though it appears to have been a temporary situation, as it is now open again.

Winter 2009

Wed 13th Jan 2010
AGM
The Empress,
Harrogate. 7.30pm