After the departure of AW for a conference in Leeds, we cought the train Northⁱ to Ilkley to begin the leisurely pub crawl back towards Bradfordⁱ.   After a spot of wandering around we found the Riverside Hotel, a classy stone pub with a chippy attached that had prints of ladies on the walls inside.   Three real ales on tap & a relaxed atmosphere for our 1st of the day. 

The Ilkley Moor Vaults is another classy place, but much more of a gastropub.   However, following a coach load of older people in meant we gave eating a miss - which is a shame 'cos it looked rather special - as we would be 51st, 52nd & 53rd in the queue.   Another pint of beer another stone pub's surroundings & we moved on.

Now Bar T'at was a different pub-restuarant.   Less refined on the outside, but still an eaterie towards the higher end of the dining scale.   The beer choice was double the 2 previous pubs however.   I had a pint of Phoenix Arizona with a chicken & bacon salad whilst MU had good looking sausage & mash & AF had a very up market beef sandwich.

Finally we did a little more wandering aimlessly around until we took a chance on the Crescent Hotel.   Only 1 beer on draught being Jimi's from Moorehouses, named after the hotel's most famous guest Jimi Hendrix.   The sweetest honey-like beer of the weekend but still a good pint.   We relaxed on the leather furniture & had the beer brought to us.   Ilkley is a classy place.   We left before we were rumbled as the imposters to taste we were.

Down the line to Guiseley & into - what looks like a converted shop - Cooper's with a few real ales, belgian beers & assorted bottle selection.   A pub that seems to like its jazz, blues & Ska music on the walls won't get a knocking from me.  

Into The Red Lion has a football team with a website which has a page on the pub, but the pub itself doesn't have one.   More of a locals pub to the edge of town

Martha's Aleⁱ House was a bit of a let down, but only because it advertises "7 Cask Ales" & when we went in found it didn't.   We had a Theakston's Mild, Theakston's Mild mixed with Black Sheep & a Black Sheep - in most towns on most days this would be a gem of a pub, but we'd been spoilt up until now so it was just another stone pub with more of a locals feel.

Guiseley Factory Workers Club was a traditional working mans club type of bar with pool tables & sport on the telly.   Twicker's beer from Rugby was the only beer I remember from this bar.

Enough of these local towns set in the hills, back to Bradford to the bright lights & big city.

In the city centre was the Shoulder of Mutton - an historic pub from the 1800's - where adopted Southerners MU & I did a double take.   £4.50 for 3 pints of Samuel Smiths bitter.   Holy Mother of Batman!   £4.50 for 3 pints of Samuel Smiths bitter.   Wow!   There were 4 ale pumps & all 4 were the same beer, but no worries.   £4.50 for 3 pints of Samuel Smiths bitter.

A stop in Rawal's for a splendid curry & soft drink (they don't serve alcohol, but we didn't miss it) & we retired to the New Beehive again for the evening where we met up with AW & KR again.

Another great end to another great day.