Anyone visiting Hebden Bridge will, at some point, find themselves in St George’s Square. There are so many tempting retail possibilities you’ll need a sit down, and the Shoulder, or Bottom Shoulder, as local folk have it, is the perfect place to recharge your batteries.

Pub of the Week: Shoulder of Mutton
Welcome80%
Drinks selection80%
Atmosphere80%
Prices80%
80%Overall Score
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It’s easy to find; on a fine day, just head for the happy rabble of folk sitting outside. It’s a handsome old stone building backing on to the river that runs through town.
On these cold winter days head inside and find a spot near one of the wood burning stoves. It’s a big, open plan bar with broad beams, Moroccan-style tiled and scrubbed oak floors, tall tartan-clad bar stools and the ubiquitous drop filament lights.
Cask beer-wise, there’s Rudgate Ruby Mild, Saltaire Blonde and Grumpy Old Git (I’m not describing the clientele), there’s a decent gin list and £4 will buy you a glass of mulled wine. Non-drinkers will be glad of a cup of Illy coffee from an Italian coffee machine.
The menu includes the likes of sausage & mash (£11.50) homemade pie (£12.95) and gammon, egg and chips (£10.50). On the specials board, coq au vin, beef stir-fry and sausage casserole. Sandwiches are made with buns from Marshall’s Bakery across the square.
On a shockingly wintry Friday lunchtime the place was ticking over nicely.
There might have been a grumpy old git; I couldn’t possibly comment.
The Shoulder of Mutton, Bridge Gate, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8EX t: 01422 845545, shoulderofmuttonhebden.co.uk. Open: daily 11am to 11pm

About The Author

Mandy Wragg is a freelance food journalist, writing and inspecting for the Yorkshire Post, Alastair Sawday, the Morning Advertiser, the AA, Cool Places and David Hancock's Inn Places. She co-writes www.squidbeak.co.uk, an independent guide to eating, drinking and staying in Yorkshire.

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