A FEW miles south of York, just as the Ouse sweeps west, stands one of the most appealing pubs in all of Yorkshire.

The Blacksmiths Arms, in the riverside village of Naburn, is a joy to behold; one of those fine English inns that’s endearing, enduring and buzzing with life.

Like many villages, Naburn has a fairly weak hand these days in terms of local amenities but the Blacksmiths defies the gloom, serving as the local hub as well as pub.

There’s a basic grocery shop on site, a heaving board crammed with local notices, and even a pick ’n’ mix stall for local youngsters. Gaffers Ian and Maria Taylor have also coordinated a fund for various local events and good causes and, most crucially I suspect for most readers, the Blacksmiths Arms also offers an irresistible selection of beer and some cracking food to boot.

As I supped last Sunday on an English Pale Ale (Marstons, 3.6 per cent ABV), I couldn’t help wondering why I didn’t venture here more often. The camaraderie and cosiness made even this city-boy envy the locals, and the place is surprisingly easy to get to.

The simplest way is by car or bus down the B1222, but it’s also just a few hundred yards from the York to Selby cycle-path.

I favour the latter route, slogging my way down the disused railway paths from York. Where the Flying Scotsman once majestically chuffed, I unceremoniously huffed and puffed, dripping sweat but working up a healthy thirst that was quenched quickly last Sunday with a pint of icy water, and then sated properly with a Wychwood Wychcraft and the aforementioned E.P.A.

My favourite was the Wychcraft, a 3.8 per cent triple-hopped ale with light golden colour and a fresh floral aroma.

The flavour was part citrus, part butterscotch, but it was the crispness that I noted. There’s a terse biscuit maltiness to this pint which meant it really hit the spot.

The E.P.A, for its part, is a bit of an oddity in that it largely contains American hops, somewhat undermining the name. Nonetheless, it’s a satisfying pint with pleasant but subtle fruity flavours.

For those after some grub, there’s a wide-ranging menu available from noon until 8.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and various options on Sunday. Depending on the time of day, you can enjoy pizzas, hot sandwiches, a carvery or a barbecue buffet. I didn’t dine last Sunday but I did a few weeks earlier, and the steak and ale pie was superb. My girlfriend was also pleased to find a wider vegetarian choice than in most pubs.

One final thought – if you don’t fancy cycling, driving or relying on the local bus, then you could always take to the Ouse. One punter who did that at the height of the floods of 2000 managed to get all the way to the pub’s front door, and there’s a great picture opposite the bar of the watery scene from that memorable autumn.

* A colleague tells me the real ale selection has expanded at the recently-revamped Beeswing in Hull Road, York. When he visited last week, he found offerings on tap from Rooster’s, Timothy Taylor’s, Black Sheep and Copper Dragon, as well as John Smith’s.

 

Festival dates

From August 19 to 22: The Captain Cook Inn in Staithes has its tenth annual Lifeboat Beer Festival. There will be 30 real ales, ciders and perries and 15 different flavoured sausages.

From August 20 to 22: Brigantes in Micklegate, York, has its first cider and perry festival, with 20 on offer. It’s called Orchard Fest and will also include an orchard-themed menu and a charity raffle.

From August 27 to 29: The Nelson Vintage Inn in Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, has its first grand cask ale festival. At least 15 award-winning beers plus food, jazz, games, local brewery staff and a guide to the beers.

September 4: Stillingfleet Village Institute has its first beer festival. There will be ten beers, one cider and one perry.

September 18: The first Ulleskelf Beer Festival takes place, with 15 real ales planned.

* Follow Gav at twitter.com/pintsofview for beer views, news and chat throughout the week.