The Yorkshire village of Nun Monkton has a unique attraction. Alice Hawthorn Inn crowns the English village that surrounds this pub. The location’s charm is evident from the moment you arrive, with a village green in front and ponies at the rear.
The inn is a treasure trove of history. The Alice Hawthorn, which was originally a village pub in Nun Monkton more than two centuries ago, is said to have been named after both a Victorian racehorse champion and the young girl who helped the mare foal. We found that locals often congregated there in the evening, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
It is worth exploring the village. The Alice Hawthorn was a great base to explore the countryside. We stopped at the tallest maypole in the UK, the village green, for all of our country trips. For those who want to explore the outdoors, the inn offers its own “Little Book of Walks”. I would recommend taking a stroll after dinner around the River Nidd, or the duck pond if you are too full to go further.
It would be a mistake to discuss the Alice Hawthorn and not mention the quality of its kitchen and cellar. The dining experience at the Alice Hawthorn is not your typical pub food. The first course of cod kiev with smashed peas, beef fat crispy potatoes and smashed chilies was a far cry from the usual fish and chips. We knew we were in store for a culinary delight when the first dish of cod kiev, smashed chilli peas and beef fat crispy potatoes (not just fish and chips!)
The daily specials and menu are both distinctly Yorkshire influenced, and were prepared with an incredible amount of skill. The chefs at the inn can transform a simple steak and mushroom dish into an unforgettable meal. The ‘wake up shots’ with ginger and Granny Smith apples were a surprise highlight in our mornings.
The quality is comparable to any high-end restaurant. We felt spoiled every time we went back for breakfast or dinner. You should always go with company. Make sure they’re willing to share some samples.
The Alice Hawthorn offers a wide range of contemporary comforts, despite its rustic exterior. The four rooms located above the pub feature plush beds and eminently comfy armchairs, as well as spacious en-suite bathroom with luxury Noble Isle products. The rooms have a combination of roll-top bathtubs, beamed ceilings and modern amenities such as a mini-fridge and a strong Wi-Fi signal for guests who want to work on their trip.
The pub is listed as Grade II. The Alice Hawthorn recently finished a renovation that added eight new bedrooms in separate timber frame buildings, modeled after agricultural stables and barns. Alongside these rooms, a number of additional rooms are available for private events and group dining. Each room is just as luxuriously furnished as pub rooms. I can only imagine how pleasant it would be to hold a function in one of the Scandinavian-inspired external dining rooms.
The inn’s cozy isolation is not mandatory. Harrogate and York can be reached in a short time by those who wish to explore further. Nun Monkton is a village that is tucked away at the end a country lane. It is utterly peaceful, save for the occasional sheep’s bleating.
This inn wasn’t lauded as the “best hotel in North” by Sunday Times. It is hard to imagine a better place to spend a weekend, or even an overnight stay. If you’re in Yorkshire on business or for pleasure, I recommend The Alice Hawthorn.