The Horse And Farrier

Popped in here last week as we had taken a trip to the great new specialist beer shop in Otley called the Curious Hop. We wanted to go for a drink and a quick bite and they recommended here.
We arrived and noticed it was part of the Market Town Taverns group of drinking holes, and as Leeds dwellers we are fans of Arcadia, one of their sister pubs.
The young guy behind the bar was so friendly and offered us samples of anything to help us decide. I had a half of IPA and a fish finger sandwich which was super generous in size! Tasty, albeit the chips a tad greasy but it definitely filled a hole.
IIt was a midweek lunchtime so was very quiet, but this didn’t cause an awkward atmosphere, in fact we were quite relaxed. Didn’t stay lobg as we were pushed for time but we would return and the beer and food are good value for money.

Try the Dark Moor beer lovely.
My mate is drinking Mary Jane. Lovely name for a pint.

I’m so pleased that I found this gem of a spot in Otley. The visit was in fact to make use of their bed and breakfast, after the impromptu decision was made to make a stop over in Otley for the bank holiday. Booking was as simple as phoning and leaving a name and address, then paying on arrival.
They’ve a great system to make sure you can get back in the pub after closing, and as far as scenic stop overs, this one dealt hit the mark. Gorgeous interior to the pub, cute courtyard of sorts with benches, and a much nicer than any cheap travelodge room. It was simple, had coffee facilities, lovely bathroom products and anything you might need. It was a touch hot over night, but I’d blame that as much on the beautiful weather as anything.
You can order breakfast at a given time, and although I only managed toast the breakfasts are rumoured to be legendary. Next time! The chef/​owner was lovely and very accommodating, all staff encountered were a delight, and the beer is of course great. What more can I say? Perhaps, should you happen to visit this wee market town, make sure to grab a pint here. And perhaps even go a step further, and make a night of it at this fabulous pub.

This is the newest of the highly acclaimed Yorkshire group (about 10) of pubs and eateries known as Market Town Taverns, — it has been open only 4 weeks.
I have previously reviewed Arcadia in Headingley and The Town St Tavern in Horsforth (a regular lunchtime haunt of mine as its round the corner from my office) Rather than eat at my regular hotel and being alone, I tried the Horse and Farrier.
As with the other two mentioned above, there is a good selection of wines and beers. Several beers are ‘permanent’, eg Taylors Landlord and Black Sheep but the others change very rapidly giving you chance to sample different ones if youre a regular.
At 7.15pm it was pretty quiet, but maybe is not so well known yet. The young staff were friendly and pleasant. I ordered a pint of Landlord (I was brought up 200yds from Taylor’s brewery in Keighley). The menu catered for all tastes, whether you just required a sandwich/​snack, a three course meal or anything in between.
I decided to have just a main course, one of the more expensive (£12.95), A Lamb Henry — nice thick lamb leg steak, bone in middle, served in a dish type of plate (I prefer a flat plate, why do so many establishments serve in dishes these days?). There was a thick tasty gravy (very slightly with a taste of monosodium glutamate, and a touch salty, but maybe that was just my personal preference.) The meat was really tender, falling easily off the bone. The accompaniment was some nicely cooked new potatoes, and a side dish of fresh vegetables (Carrot, string beans, broccoli and leek), which were cooked to perfection, neither too soft or too hard, just a little ‘al dente’. The speed of the service was also commendable.
There is plenty of car parking behind this place in North St Car Park, with a direct access back door to the H & F.
Highly recommended, I will be back and it deserves to get better known.