On the old mail route between York & Scarborough, this rather grand, ivy-clad Georgian coaching inn is a useful pit stop for today’s travellers. There’s seating under a huge willow at the front
(ideal for summertime drinks) & the neat bar looks good with its quarry-tiled floor & the chunky arts & crafts furniture. The kitchen procures locally, with fish delivered daily from
Scarborough & game from the moors. Chalked-up specials might include grilled aubergine & goats’ cheese, pesto & roast onion syrup – a toothsome snip at £4.50, & mains such as
casserole of Wilton beef & mushrooms with horseradish dumplings – a seriously adequate plateful at £10.50. If you want to swank it up, the elegant dining room does the trick with snow-white
linen, glimmering candles & an evening menu that steps up a gear for fillet steak on haggis mash & lamb Wellington with red wine & redcurrant sauce.