The site of The Fauconberg Arms in Coxwold has been home to an inn since the 17th century.
The first time I visited was not that long ago, a few years ago, when I was working for a press company.
The village had just been voted the most beautiful village in the land. Photographer Matt Clark and I were sent to find out why.
It wasn't difficult to find out why. Nestled in the North York Moors National Park and featured in the Domesday books, Coxwold wears its history with effortless charm. This pub is named after the Earl of Fauconberg, owner of Newburgh Priory. The village and manor were given to the Fauconberg family by Henry VIII.
Visitors also visit Shandy Hall, the former home of Laurence Sterne, author of Tristram Shandy. The gardens are currently open, but the house remains closed due to social distancing restrictions.
Fauconberg seems to be the beating heart of the village, sitting beautifully and charmingly halfway up the main road on a steep slope.
Fauconberg, Coxwold
During lockdown, the takeaway service and shop (located in the garden behind the pub) provided a vital service to villagers.
Certificates of appreciation from villagers thanking the pub for the service it has provided during these difficult months are displayed on a window sill at the back of the inn.
We visited Fauconberg on a short break from York. This year, like millions of other Brits, we decided to take a staycation.
Days out and the odd night out ended any hopes of spending a week in the Mediterranean. That brought us to Coxwold.
The inn offers stylish rooms for the night, but there's also a glamping option in the form of a wooden garden hut with a verandah and an outdoor toilet and shower.
Before you say 'get away from it all', I booked a 'garden room' for the night (£75 for a B&B) and a table for dinner at the restaurant.
To make it even more of an adventure, my husband and I decided to cycle from our home in York to Coxwold. It's a confession. I'm not Laura Trott. I have an electric bike so cycling the 42 miles to Coxwold via Skelton, Newton, Ouse and Easingwold was much easier than it was for my husband who was on a road bike.
We arrived around 6:30pm and checked into our room, or rather hut, for the night before heading to the bar for some well-earned drinks. A G&T for me and a pint of lager for my husband.
We had originally reserved an outdoor table, but it was a bit chilly so we moved indoors to the cozy bar.
We had drinks and studied the menu and specials board. There was an appealing selection of hearty British dishes and was exactly what we had imagined after a day in the saddle.
Starter choices include shrimp cocktail, chicken liver pâté, crispy whitebait and goat cheese bruschetta, or from the specials board, sweet potato soup, moules marinière or salmon duo, all for the price Prices range from £6 to £6.95.
Fauconberg salmon starter
I chose the latter and was happy with my choice. It was one of the best appetizers I've tasted as a reviewer. The sweet and smoky fish platter, lovingly tossed with a tangy, slightly spiced lime and chili mayonnaise and pickled cucumbers, was worth every 46 miles of biking. Nick joined in and wholeheartedly agreed with my verdict. That's a great start.
Fortunately, the meal continued on its own.
Nick considered fish and chips or steak and chips from the main menu, but couldn't resist the temptation of the Famous Fauconberg Steak and Ale Pie (£12.50), which included chips, peas and gravy.
Vegetarian and vegan options are also available, including homemade pizza (Thursdays are curry night).
The pie certainly lived up to its billing. We concluded that there's a reason it's “famous”…because it's awesome. It was hard to decide which was the highlight: the tender beef coated in a rich, glossy gravy, or the delicious puff pastry, which was so short that it instantly melted in your mouth, almost as good as the beef. Another winner.
Will I be lucky again with my main special board, Catch of the Day (£16.50)?
Catch of the day at Fauconberg
I agree. The oven-roasted cod with new potatoes, cherry tomatoes, chorizo and sun fillet was a nice, balanced meal. The fish was perfectly cooked, its simple flavors complemented by notes of sweet tomato, salty samphire, and meaty, spicy chorizo.
Mr. Fauconberg was not wrong at all. Will the winning streak continue as we head into the final straight and dessert menu?
The sticky toffee pudding with ice cream (£5.50) also did not disappoint. It was thick, rich and gooey, exactly what you would expect from STP. And ice cream was the perfect playmate.
We finished our coffee and headed back to bed for the night, hoping to have room for English breakfast in the morning. (We were).
Fauconberg, Coxwold YO61 4AD
W: fauconbergarms.com
Phone: 01347 868214
Food: Excellent 4.5/5
Atmosphere: Cozy: 5/5
Service: Super 5/5
Value: Excellent 4.5/5
Reviews are independent and all meals are paid for by The Press.
Click here to read more reviews of Eat Out in York post-lockdown
