The Horseshoe Hotel is found in the small picturesque village of Egton Bridge, a wooded valley seven miles southwest of Whitby and a stop on the picturesque Esk Valley railway line. Egton Bridge is well known for its annual Gooseberry Show, which has been held continuously in the village hall since 1800, while it is also only a short train ride away from popular tourist areas such as Robin Hood Bay and Goathland (home of classic Sunday night TV programme Heartbeat).
Whatever brings you to the area though, you will find it difficult not to be enticed by The Horseshoe Hotel’s winning combination of simple home-cooked food alongside the likes of Theakston’s, Black Sheep and Copper Dragon ale on draught. It is a simple and uncluttered space inside, but the best thing about the Horseshoe is the garden, where mature trees and lawns are laid out around the 18th-century stone building – all within spitting distance of the bubbling river Esk.
Like most country boltholes, The Horseshoe Hotel prides itself on a menu which champions the local community and suppliers wherever possible. Guests can choose to dine from either the more casual bar and outdoor dining menu, or instead opt for the slightly more formal restaurant menu - both of which are extensive and replete with both country pub classics and globally inspired dishes.
Kickstart your meal with small plates such as barbecue pulled pork croquettes in a honey and whiskey dressing alongside sweetcorn relish and ranch coleslaw or Thai crab cakes with lime mayonnaise and a pickled ginger, cucumber and spring onion salad. For your main course, you can choose from the likes of an indulgent lobster mac ‘n’ cheese with garlic focaccia, while puddings include warm treacle tart with clotted cream ice cream. Too full to move? Simply retire to one The Horseshoe Hotel’s comfortable rooms.