Back to Basics

The oldest pub in Otley, the Black Bull, changed hands a couple of years ago when the sisters who ran it retired, and it deteriorated rapidly. Cromwell’s troops are said to have drunk it dry on the eve of the battle of Marston Moor (fine Puritans they were), and it used to be full of pictures and other Cromwelliana. It also served very good food. All this disappeared, together with the open fire, and the quality of the food took a dive; the result was that the place was usually deserted. However, new management has taken it over, and Droog and I had a nice lunch there today; we were delighted to see the return of the open fire. It will probably be needed if the long-range weather forecast is correct!