Pub Of The Week: Durham Ox, Crayke

That’s what the good people of Crayke can boast.

The Durham Ox has served the village for more than 300 years and for the last 14 has been in the keep of the Ibbotson family, who have carefully crafted a destination pub for Yorkshire’s gastronauts and created somewhere locals can meet to banter without either crowd feeling the other is getting in the way.

The food comes courtesy of chef Pete Harrison and offers everything from steaks and burgers to pigeon pasties or ham hock broths. As you’d expect, all of the key ingredients come from Yorkshire and, while prices are on the high end (£15–20 for mains), all the dishes are hearty and delicious.

There are three Yorkshire hand pulled ales to enjoy as you sink into the comfy pew seating and you can escape to the quieter restaurant extension (or the decked beer garden) if you want to avoid the constant activity in the bar.

Music night is every Thursday, there is a regular pudding club and the pub annually holds its celebrated OxToberfest beer and barbecue festival.

It’s heartwarming to see that the owners have built a thriving and highly regarded gastropub, but not forgotten that the village pub is first and foremost a meeting place for the locals. Crayke doesn’t have a village shop, post office, butchers or bakers, there are houses and a school but, apart from the church, the Durham Ox is the only place for villagers to meet and interact, and certainly the only place they can do it with a pint in their hands.

Dave Lee

The Durham Ox, Westway, Crayke, York, YO61 4TE. 01347 821506.

THE VERDICT

Welcome****

Drinks selection****

Atmosphere****

Food*****

Prices***