York pub gets a fresh look, inside and out, after £355K investment

Ready for a beer in the great outdoors?

The Walnut Tree in Heworth, York, has one of the largest beer gardens around. And the pub will reopen on Thursday (2 June) after a refurb inside and out.

The large garden at the pub has had a spring makeover so it’s an even better spot to enjoy an alfresco pint, a spritz, cocktail or glass of wine with friends and family.

New outside lighting, greenery and colourful plants, candles and cosy blankets (just in case the temperature drops) have been added as part of a £355,000 refurbishment of the pub by owners the Stonegate Group.

There is now a lighter feel to the inside too, which features extra soft furnishings as part of the Walnut Tree’s new look.

The pub will be serving food and drink every day when it reopens. There’s a new breakfast menu, lunch offers, and in the evening pub favourites including pies, burgers and wings.

And it offers a range of cocktails, beers from around the world, and tea, coffee and other hot drinks day and night.

General manager Hayley Walker said: “It’s been a busy time making sure we have everything just right but it’s so worth it.

“This pub is such a part of Heworth and York and now it’s even better than it was before. This really is the time of year to make the most of our wonderful beer garden.

“This really is a local’s pub, everyone is welcome, whether you want to watch a match with friends, have a quiet drink, start the day with a full English, relax with a drink after work or tuck into a traditional Sunday lunch with all the trimmings.”

The Walnut Tree has an unusual history as it was originally built as a private residence, owned by the Evans family, owners of the launderette on the corner of Dales Lane.

It only opened as a pub when the licence was transferred from the village’s original pub, The Britannia, which used to be opposite the Walnut Tree.