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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
7:00 AM 7th October 2020
lifestyle

The Beverley Arms - Well Armed For A Stay In Beverley

 
I hadn’t been to Beverley for around 20 years until I went to a 90th birthday celebration a few years ago.

I had forgotten what the East Yorkshire town had to offer - it has two large places of worship (the Minster and St Mary’s Church) and two market places (Wednesday and Saturday) along with cafes, restaurants and a good shopping centre. Add to that Beverley Westwood - the sprawling green open space within 5 minutes walking distance - with a golf course and cows roaming the fields and you have the makings of a perfect weekend break destination.

Beverley Saturday Market Place
Beverley Saturday Market Place
The Beverley Arms Hotel is a lot older than the 90 years we were celebrating the last time I was here. 1686 to be precise - the earliest date associated with the property known then as The Bell. The Blue Bell, a coaching inn was subsequently rebuilt as The Beverley Arms in 1794.

In 2016 the building was bought by Daniel Thwaites and re-opened in the summer of 2018 ready to welcome visitors once more - and a magnificent job they have done.

The Old Kitchen
The Old Kitchen
They have sympathetically restored the property keeping the old features such as the Old Kitchen and adding a modern touch with homely bedrooms and a modern restaurant that blends in with the surroundings.

It is the first time I have checked into a hotel via a PortaCabin but then this is the first time there has been a pandemic as widespread as the one we are experiencing now. The reception has temporarily been relocated to the hotel car park but I was still greeted with a friendly smile.

Bedroom
Bedroom
After being shown to my room via a longer route we had to traverse due to social distancing measures, tea and coffee sachets were picked up in a bag along with a flask of cold milk.

A modern design with a nod to the building’s historic past it was pleasing to see a settee placed in front of the huge television so that you did not have to watch your favourite programme from the bed. The bed by the way provided a sound night's sleep.

The Wi Fi was free and fast, the sizeable wardrobe had an iron and ironing board, there was a period writing table and chair that was ergonomic to the table, another comfy chair for sitting in and a bathroom that had a bath and a walk in rain shower.

The menu at The Beverley Arms has been curtailed slightly, however it is still very comprehensive. The tables are socially distanced and all the staff wear masks. It has to be said that the food is cooked to perfection and I didn’t see one plate go back empty. The kitchen is partly open so you can see your food being prepared.

Sunday lunch
Sunday lunch
Huge potions are served - take my Sunday lunch, you decide your choice of roast - my beef was perfect and plenty of it, parsnips, carrots, roast potatoes and on the side two generous helpings of cauliflower cheese and a separate helping of greens. It is a pity every day is not Sunday!

Cheese board
Cheese board
The cheese board did not disappoint either with a very mature and rich Keen’s Mature Cheddar, a creamy Ribblesdale Ewe’s Milk cheese and a Yorkshire Blue - the latter could have had a bit more bite for my taste. Nicely presented like the rest of the meal with friendly staff to boot.

Full English breakfast
Full English breakfast
Breakfast is cooked to order too, all quality products with a full English. My porridge was some of the best I have tasted this far south of the Scottish border.

If the weather holds there is a sunny outside seated area that is quite large so that social distancing is easy.

Outdoor seating area
Outdoor seating area
A wonderful experience- make sure you share it with someone. It is what you, they and Beverley deserves.

The Beverley Arms, 25 North Bar Within, Beverley HU17 8DD
Telephone 01482 296999
https://www.beverleyarms.co.uk/