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These three York pubs are in a guide to the best 500 in England

A fine pint in a fine pub – the Swan. Photographs: Paul Crossman

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A new guide to the ‘500 best pubs in England’ has been published – and three of York’s finest make the list.

Compiled by the Telegraph‘s food and drink writer Will Hawkes, the list celebrates alehouses known for “their charming character, welcoming staff, rich history and – of course – award-winning beer”.

Sixteen are in North Yorkshire – and three in our own fair city.

You can consult the full guide here. Here are the York pubs that make the list…

The Blue Bell, Fossgate

Landlord of the Blue Bell, John Pybus. Photograph: YorkMix

Will celebrates this “very lively, enjoyable pub. There are two rooms, the rear of which struck me as slightly calmer on my most recent visit.

“Most pints going over the bar appeared to be Rudgate Ruby Mild, a genuine modern classic (and one of my favourite beers).”

House of the Trembling Madness, Stonegate

“One of York’s quirkiest pubs is also one of its best places to drink interesting and unusual beer,” says Will.

“The House of the Trembling Madness is located in a building which dates back to the 1600s, and it feels it.

“Despite the apparently very limited space, there’s plenty of excellent beer and food, plus a wide variety of taxidermy on the walls. It’s a bit Harry Potter, but I’ll allow it.”

Unfortunately, the Telegraph illustrated the entry with a picture of the very spacious Trembling Madness on Lendal (another great pub).

The Swan, Bishopgate Street

Inside the Swan. Photograph: Facebook

“The Swan doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside it’s magic,” says Will.

“The preserved 1930s interior consists of two rooms – a Public Bar and a (slightly nicer) Smoke Room – and a connecting lobby in which you’ll find the bar itself. Some of the apparently humble decorative detail, such as the terrazzo flooring in the lobby, is marvellous.”

Here is the full list of North Yorkshire pubs in the guide:

  • Hales Bar, Harrogate
  • The Blue Bell, York
  • House of the Trembling Madness, Stonegate, York
  • The Jenny Wren, Beal
  • The Swan, York
  • The Birch Hall Inn, Beck Hole
  • The Craven Arms, Skipton
  • The Tan Hill Inn, Richmond
  • The Queens Arms, Skipton
  • The George & Dragon, Hudswell
  • The Cross Keys, Knaresborough
  • The White Bear, Gun Bank, Masham

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