The Turks Head, Sowerby Bridge

The Turks Head is a proper looking pub that is just off the high street,it is a shame they have now painted the window frames in the horrible battleship grey colour. Once inside there is a single square shaped room which is divided into two halfs by a fire place. The bar is on the right side,the seating bench type and small stools,the floor is part tiled and bare boarded. There were four real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Brentwood Galaxy,which was quire a nice drink,the other beers were Phoenix Arizona,Salopion Oracle,plus one more i noted but cannot read the name of. There was a TV to the rear showing football and background music was playing. This seemed a decent pub to have a drink in,it was also fairly busy on my Saturday afternoon visit. Pub visited 29/8/2015

A small stone built, one time Webster’s house, tucked away just off the high street and perched precariously above the River Calder. Internally, it’s semi open plan but with several discernible drinking areas. It looks as though the floor space originally consisted of four tiny rooms. Some refurbishment has recently taken place with the addition of a new modern pale wood bar and bar back, but some of the old wooden flooring and wooden panelling remains in place, so it may well be a work in progress. However, at present, the upholstered wall benches and square wooden tables also remain. At the bar five of the six hand pumps were on the go including Salopian ‘Darwins Origin’, Newby Wyke ‘Orsino’ and Millstone ‘Tiger Rut’. Quality was OK, but rather variable. The new landlord is on record as increasing the commitment to real ale, but maybe the footfall isn’t quite there yet? Fairly quiet on our early Saturday evening visit, but we did receive a warm welcome from the two young barmaids behind the bar, which is always a plus. To be honest, the jury’s still out on this one. I thought there was enough promise to justify a return visit when next in town and perhaps all it needs is just a little more time. However, with some stiff competition nearby it may well have to up its game, somewhat, to remain viable.

A few yards off the main street through Sowerby, this pub feels like a back street local. Flag floors with 3 separate areas opened up from a couple of rooms and the bar area. Fairly old fashioned seating and covered benches. A couple of handpumps on the bar selling Spitfire & Copper Dragon. The Copper Dragon was OK. Red wine comes from little bottles which is OK by the other half as it saves getting a glass of wine from a bottle that's been open for days. There's nothing particularly special about this place but nothing wrong with it either. It's OK for one.