One of the most scenic and widely photographed pubs in York for all the wrong reasons: most winters, The King’s Arms is overrun by the rising waters of the River Ouse, which seems to flood on a
yearly basis (check the floor-to-ceiling plaque in the bar denoting historic water levels). However, in the summer months, when the river isn’t breaking its banks, this venerable boozer provides a
fantastic place to enjoy a pint on the sizeable outdoor terrace. Inside, the decor is decidedly Spartan – whitewashed walls, a low ceiling supported by requisite mock-Tudor beams, and a
conservatively styled bar. The King’s Arms is a Samuel Smith’s tied house, which means that the food and drink is incredibly cheap – if rather limited. Snapping up a table by the river on a warm
summer’s afternoon, however, is priceless.