Sowerby Bridge Restaurant Guide

In March 2022, Aimee Turford and chef Alisdair Brooke-Taylor called time on their tenure at (to use their words) “this little pub on this windy hill. With its wild weather, warm people and those sunsets”. “Gutted” is the general sense amongst its numerous fans, who will miss the “virtuosic inventiveness” of Alisdair’s “glorious cuisine” (“such an outstanding talent”) and “Aimee’s effortless front-of-house skills there for all to behold”. “This place has become a draw for this part of West Yorkshire and it was with much sadness that we all learned that it will close in January 2023. Go quickly and before it's gone. I know that I will.” Perhaps someone will step into their shoes, although “the pub itself is nothing to write home about”.

“I’m struggling to find fault with this local gem as it goes from strength to strength” – chef Mark Kemp’s team “turns out dish after dish of superbly presented, but more importantly delicious, food” at this pub-conversion in the Upper Calder Valley, while “Wil Akroyd is unflappable and assured as the FoH”. With its dynamic mix of ingredients and flavours from all parts of the world, this “may not be a restaurant for someone with traditional English tastes” – but “news of its quality seems to be spreading, with national press reviewers at last paying a visit”. “I think it’s safe to say I utterly love this place!”

2021 Review: “Fantastic food” (“always plenty of interesting seasonal options, including great vegetarian choices”), that’s “great value” too, ensures the continuing popularity of Janet & Simon Baker’s eclectically decorated stalwart.

“Beautiful old Yorkshire inn” – originally an eighteenth-century corn and spinning mill – that hosts “some seriously excellent cooking” from chef Will Webster. It’s a “fabulous and cosy spot” – in a place made famous by TV’s ‘Gentleman Jack’ – “and best of all there’s no mobile phone reception, so you can escape the world for a couple of hours of peace!”. Top Menu Tip – “breaded lamb spam and lamb-fat peas”.

“Excellent seasonal menus and a bargain early-bird” – not to mention “a top brunch locally” and “the best Sunday lunch” – all fuel satisfaction with Eric Paxman’s well-established local destination.

“Refreshing to have a place of this quality in the vicinity!” say local fans of this modern operation opposite the civic hall, which has been in new ownership since 2019 and where “really good food is served by a young and enthusiastic team” from breakfast onwards (for which it receives nominations). In late 2021, The Observer’s Jay Rayner pronounced himself a fan: “powerless in the face of good bread… flavours are reliably big and self-assured… with nods towards the Middle East”, while “the value is obvious” in a restaurant that “hums with a comfortable contentment”.

“A fabulous new addition to the valley” – this “lovely new bar” occupies a “fantastically converted former bank which is bright, airy and lots of fun”. It has a “great wine list with some really interesting orange and natural wines” and a “great selection of beers”. “Plates of well-sourced charcuterie and top-notch cheeses feature alongside a smattering of oysters mignonette, a potato fondue or a pork katsu to flesh out the small but precise menu”.