Pubs and lost pubs in and around Otley.

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Whitakers 49 KirkgateRight next door to the Red Lion and a good real ale pub. Formerly the 'Whitaker's Arms' the suffix was dropped a few years ago. The pub appears as Wiliam Whitaker and Co. wine and spirit merchants vaults in Robinson 1901. Whitaker's was a brewery in Halifax.It was often referred to as 'the Dram Shop'for many years, Also know as 'Kirkgate Vaults' and 'Whitaker's Vaults' at timesIt now belongs to the Black Sheep brewery at MashamSignage used to claim a date of 'C1841' but new signage installed in 2013 claims 'C1811'.http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ances ... yalOak.htm            

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The Woolpack.14 Bondgate According to Leodis this longlived inn was originally called the Fox and Hounds and then the King's Arms before becoming the Woolpack. Baines 1822 directory lists a King's Arms on Bondgate. Pigot 1829 lists both a 'King's Arms' and a 'Wool Pack'[sic] on Bondgate, but with the same landlord (John Walker) whilst its possible they could be separate pubs I tend to think its the same place. Pigot 1834 and White 1837 only list a 'Wool Pack' referred to as the 'Woolpacks' in some directories (e.g. Robinson 1901)    Sadly closed for good in 2010, now an arts centre - some signage survives

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The Ring O'Bells 29 New MarketA bit of a hidden gem - this little pub is tucked away off Bondgate    Renamed the 'Otley Tavern', June 2013

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The Bowling Green .18 BondgateThis has been covered on Secret Leeds before. For many years this quirky pub was one of Otley's highlights. For a time Briscoe's brewery had premises at the back and the the pub acted as a 'Brewery tap'. Always a camra favourite it closed in 2006 and was fenced off for years - and looked like it would never reopen at times.Reopened July 2010 as J.D.Weatherspoon's pub.According to the plaque attached to the pub it became licensed premises in 1865. One wonders why the name 'Bowling Green' was chosen - I cant believe it was on a whim, but where was the bowling green? New Market (street) runs down the left and there are old buildings to the rear, so that would seem to be out. There does not seem enough room to the front (unless Bondgate used to be much narrower, which is possible of course) so my best guess is that the Memorial Gardens , to the immediate right of the pub was once a bowling green. However, research shows that the plaque is obviously in error regarding the 1865 date- and so the Bowling Green may have been to the rear of the pub (which would seem logical) at one time. (Directories: first found; Pigot 1829)        

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The Rose and Crown20 Bondgate    Another pub made from 2 (or more) original buildings. I remember when this was a pub best avoided by real ale lovers - but now it has a good range of cask beers - not cheap though. Puts a lot of emphasis on dining.    

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The Junction46 Bondgate Always a great pub for beer- lovers - even before it became fashionable to have real ale. Camra's pub of the year in 1999 and a live music venue. Probably my favourite pub in Otley - many happy nights in here drinking Theakston,s or Landlord!        

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The Cock and Bottle30 Bondgate Now Bondgate Bakery (Directories: first found; Baines 1822)

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The Yeoman.19 Gay Lane This was called ' The Fountain' when I first went in (1980s)- and I believe it was previously called the Waterloo - no idea why the present name was chosen. There used to be some nice etched windows with the 'Fountain' name on them - but they disappeared years ago. the former name lives on as the part of the pub to the right (as you look at it) is called the 'Fountain Room'. (Another pub that has expanded into adjacent properties!) Directories:Baines 1822(as 'Waterloo', Gay Lane), Pigot 1834, White 1837(as Fountain)    [2010 update - pub closed]

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The Royalty YorkgateIsolated pub with great view over the Chevin, and a favourite with walkers, not surprisingly. Originally a Farm I believe. Closed in 2011

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