The Calverley Arms

Tucked away on the Leeds — Shipley road route is a spectacular looking pub set right on top of the hill as you reach Calverley in its awe, this grand building is impressively stunning. You would think initially that it’s a grand Victorian home but the signs are clear to direct your attention to the pub.
It boats a very generous outdoor space which is a blanket of green grass and old wooden tables a plenty which allow you to take in the great outdoors without feeling cramped or unsettled. It also has some pretty outdoor seating on the patio with glass tables and umbrellas for those who wish to dine in the sunshine surrounded by pretty flowers and peacefulness. You can only eat on the patio and not down on the grass so you need to get there during off-​peak times to grab a table as they do not taking bookings for the patio area, but once you do it also offers waiter service which is all the more relaxing.
Inside is a winter wonderland, rich colours and a vast dining area with an open fire and the grand feel of a manor it does not disappoint. The down side is the tiny bar with the extremely slow service. Additionally this pub is a chain which is a little disappointing but the food is of a reasonable standard all considering and doesn’t massively break the bank.
I’ve had Sunday lunch here before and would say it’s passable for those who had a smaller appetite. The Fish and Chips are lovely and go down very nicely with there lush white wine. The menu is mainly British and caters for those looking for a sandwich or those with a larger appetite for pies and the like. It also has a few vegetarian options.
This pub is great for the sunshine and the drinks’ were well received after the walk from Leeds along the canal. The service is average from smiley faces to those just in a damn hurry! If you don’t have queuing patience then prepare yourself for a long wait at the bar in the height of summer. The clientele here is mainly families and couples so if your looking for rock and roll this won’t be for you. I’d say if this pub was a free house it could move in leaps and bounds it’s a shame it’s a chain really (sister is Duck Hudson in Eldwick which is equally as breath-​taking).

The lover and I took his ma here for a dinner out and I was pleasantly surprised… mostly because the last time i came here it was the Elmwood and smelt of boiled cabbage and was a bit disappointing. That was a good few years ago though.
However, THIS time… the log fire was perfect to warm Ma W’s bones and the whole atmosphere was lovely.
I’ve knocked a star off because their food is quite pricey for pub dinners and when i asked whether their apple was homemade, a resounding «no» was heard… is any of it not shop bought? «ummm… the crumble». ok. i’ll have that.
It was ok. mine is better.
It’s worth looking on their website as they do have offers 241s etc and I joined their mailing list and got a free glass of wine
ahem
ahem

I want to be lord of the manor. Okay, the female equivalent. It’s what I was born to be. So I almost feel at home at the splendid Calverley Arms.
This is a stunner of a pub. Simple as that. The building is out of this world. It’s a grand affair and dates back to the mid to late nineteenth century. You’ll be impressed as soon as you see it from the outside. That’s always a good start.
Once you’re in, it doesn’t disappoint. I’m in love with the huge roaring real fire and could quite happily stay there for hours on end. The service is fantastic too and it’s a great atmosphere in a beautiful building.
As for the food, well it’s good old decent stuff and the price is more than reasonable. I wouldn’t say it’s out of this world, unlike the location, but that’s mainly because it belongs to a chain.
You’ve got real ales to sink into as well and a fab wine list. You know I love my wine and this doesn’t disappoint.
All in all this is one pub that you really must get to. Is that clear enough for you. Brilliant.

Driving along halfway between Bradford and Leeds, I noticed a large, beautiful building, and to my delight I saw the trusty pub sign hanging from a pole outside. I thought I’d stop by, feeling a little peckish. With a large outdoor seating area, with old picnic benches and ample parking, I noticed many elderly and middleaged folk ambing in and out of stone building, possibly just for lunch or, I’d imagine, after a round of golf at the nearby golf course. The weather was gloomy, so I thought I’d take refuge within.
Upon entry, I was engulfed by an air of calm, not to mention the welcome sight of an open fire to the left of the bar. The pub is very large and could hold hundreds of diners and drinkers if it chose to do so, or if, indeed, there were more passers by in it’s location, which is it is fair to say, rather off the beaten track. The ambience was warm and serene, with a lit bar stocking a mixture of continental lager on tap, and real ale. It’s not overally cheap, but just for the setting with a fabulous view over Aire Valley on the other side of the road and the wonderful interior, it is well worth a visit. The restaurant eating area is vast, with loads of rooms divided by old wooden beams and low wall, meeting in the middle. The walls are a mix of burgendy, with lilac and dim ceiling spot lighting. The menu is good, offing a mix od pies, pub classics and winter warmers, as well as lighter meals. the food is by no means more expensive than the drinks, and a meal and a pint averages at about £10 a head at lunchtime.
I thank The Calverley Arms for finally adding a bit of festive calm/​cheer to my December. The fire really did it for me from the word go, the burning wood smell is something you don’t get all that often in pubs aroud Leeds, but wow, I don’t care if I left smelling faintly of a bonfire, I care about how warm and festive and well fed I was. Perfect for a winter weekend!