George & Dragon

Head up Branthwaite Brow and you'll find yourself in one of those pubs that actually feels like it belongs to the town rather than some corporate playbook. The George & Dragon pulls a genuine mix—locals nursing pints at the bar, groups clustered round tables, the kind of place where someone's always got a story. Real ales are clearly taken seriously here, and the food won't disappoint if you're after honest pub fare. It's the sort of spot you'd recommend to mates because it's got character without trying too hard, and the staff know what they're doing.