To carry out a substantial refurbishment to any historic country pub is a very difficult task.

Often the whole ambience is ruined, despite the designers trying their best to keep the building true to its original style, but The White Hart in Pool-in-Wharfedale has been lovingly refurbished without losing any of its historic charm.

Set in the village of Pool in Wharfedale, it's difficult to imagine that you are only around 3 miles from the Leeds/Bradford Airport and around 5 miles from the Leeds ring road.

The White Hart is a great base for those wanting to explore the beautiful Wharfe Valley and nearby landmarks such as Harewood House and the famous Otley Chevin and fantastic views of Ilkley Moor.

The White Hart was originally thought to be a farmhouse which later became a coaching inn and expanded in later years to be a pub and restaurant.

Sitting on the High Street of this quaint village, it has ample parking, which so many pub restaurants do not have. I was more than impressed with the large outdoor area with a plethora of different seating options, from ideally spaced tables sitting underneath umbrellas to areas with low tables and sofa-style garden furniture and an abundance of topiary trees.

The flagged area has arches wrapped in green foliage—an unusual touch—and when darkness falls, it is illuminated by twinkling fairy lights.

Upon entering the building, you will be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful eclectic mix of country-style décor with a modern twist and how well it complements the original pieces of décor.

The great thing about The White Hart is how it has divided its tables into ingenious breakout areas.

The largest is the restaurant, which is flooded with natural light through its windows, while at the other end of the building is the library, ideal for small gatherings or parties.

But in-between overlooking the long bar are smaller dining areas that give the place an intimate feel, whilst there are also places for those who just come along for a drink or a bar snack.

As well as a 'new look’, there is a new menu created by Head Chef Stuart Bastow, with over 15 years of experience under his belt at various establishments.

We were very impressed with the choices on the menu to please every taste and dietary requirement. I chose the Port and Cheddar Mushrooms. This was a great combination. The cheese was smooth and creamy, and the toasted rosemary and sea salt focaccia was an ideal companion for the dish and perfect for dipping into the sauce.

My partner opted for the pan-fried king prawns. The king prawns, served in a generous portion, were succulent, tender, and perfectly cooked. They also came with a portion of rosemary and sea salt focaccia accompanied by harissa and lemon butter.

I decided to indulge in traditional pub fare and decided on the pie. The chicken, leeks, and Davidstow Cheddar pie were perfection on a plate. The crust was crispy and cooked beautifully. The inside filling was flavourful, with solid, sizeable pieces of chicken and leeks in melted cheese. The casserole was certainly a very tasty dish oozing with the flavours of cheese and leek and was served on a bed of creamy mashed potato, with broccoli and sautéed string beans and a little pan of gravy on the side.

My partner decided on the pan-roasted harissa-crusted lamb rump. It arrived cooked exactly as requested. The meat was tender and easy to cut, and the Red Pepper Romesco sauce complemented it perfectly. The harissa crust, both fiery and fragrant, gave the meat a burst of flavour, with baby potatoes and sautéed greens being the perfect accompaniments.

When it came time to order my heavenly dish, the comforting choice of rhubarb and strawberry crumble was irresistible to me. The fruit was warm and tasty, and a granola crumb gave it another dimension, but I fell in love with the little pan of creamy custard served on the side, just like Mum used to make.

My partner went for the Baked Apple Tart, and not usually a fan of desserts, he really enjoyed its sweet yet tangy taste and marvelled at how this had been constructed to give it the ultimate tangy flavour, with a serving of vanilla ice cream infused with bourbon and toffee sauce completing this masterpiece.

As darkness fell in the village, the outside area of The White Hart took on the guise of a romantic fairyland, with its lights, foliage-clad arches, and comfortable seating.

The White Hart Main Street Otley LS21 1LH
Tel: 0113 203 7862 website visit www.thewhitehartpool.co.uk
Open: Mon to Thurs 11.00am to 11.00pm; Fri & Sat 11.00am to midnight; Sunday 11.00am to 10.30pm.