The Moorcock Inn is at the foot of many acres of productive moorland, providing plenty of plants, berries, mushrooms and game. Our 2-acre plot is being developed to provide an organic kitchen garden, providing the foundations of our pub & restaurant menus- with the best of Yorkshire produce supplying the rest. Both the pub and restaurant menus are written with the seasons and cooked over fire.
Our wine list focuses on natural wines from small producers. We offer a continually changing selection by the glass and carafe- featuring both classic and more quirky styles. Alongside our draught beers, we also have a list focusing on delicious local craft and Belgian beers.
The Pub
This is where our daily written blackboard menu can be found. It features a series of seasonal small plates, using produce we are really proud of.
We use meat from a select few local rare breed smallholdings, purchasing whole animals, some of which are reared specifically for us. We prefer mature animals (so for example, always serve mutton, never lamb) and dry-age the meat and butcher it in house. We use only fish and seafood from native waters, think carefully about sustainability and ensure it's all from day-boats, or caught using sustainable methods (never from trawlers). Some days, in rough weather, small boats don't go out, therefore, some days we serve less fish! Our vegetables are organic, sometimes homegrown and otherwise locally. The rest of our ingredients are foraged from the surrounding area.
It's a cosy, traditional freehouse, with oak beams and wood-burning stoves. It's a pub in which to eat, but also a place to prop up the bar for beers. It's for this reason that we don't take reservations for the pub- everyone is welcome to grab a table for food or drinks! In the event that all tables are full, it's just a short wait and drink at the bar and we will seat you as soon as a table becomes available.
We have an ever-growing selection of natural wines and local & UK wide craft, and Belgian beers across bottles, cans, casks and kegs.
Our pub menu can also be enjoyed outdoors, along with a view of the sunset over the Ryburn Valley. For indoor weather, there is a bookcase and there are traditional board games. We are dog-friendly in this area, with water bowls and blankets on hand!
Bar Opening Hours for Drinks (please see food service times below):
Monday, Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday-Friday: 3-11pm
Saturday- 12-11pm
Sunday- 12-6pm
Bar Food Service Times:
Weds- Fri: 6-9pm
Saturday: 12-3, 6-9pm
Sunday: 12-4pm
There is also a smaller snack menu available between 3-6pm Wednesday-Saturday
No reservations can be made for the pub. Please note that the restaurant opening hours differ from above.
The Restaurant
The restaurant offers a daily set menu consisting of multiple courses, served in a relaxed, farmhouse-like atmosphere. The menu highlights traditional homesteading techniques, cooking over fire, preservation techniques and the sourcing of local, seasonal and wild ingredients. It's the place where we strictly use the produce around us and the ingredients we are most proud of.
We serve our sourdough and butter, snacks, a digestive tea, and 6 courses as part of our set menu.
Drinks pairings are also available, using natural wines, beers and sake, in addition to our full a-la-carte drinks list.
We prefer to only prepare the amount of food required each day, and therefore offer only one menu. However, please let us know on the reservation form below if you have any dietary requirements and we will prepare individuals menus to suit. We're happy to cater for all allergies and diets including vegetarian and vegan, but please give details of these ahead of your reservation.
Make a Reservation
Please note that when using this reservation facility, you are making a reservation for the set menu in the restaurant. We do not take reservations for the pub, nor do we serve the pub menu in the restaurant.
We are a very small restaurant and we prepare for the number of guests that we are expecting each day. There is only one seating per table each evening- essentially, the table is yours for the night! With this in mind, please may we politely ask that you attend your restaurant reservation, or give us as much notice as possible if you are no longer able to attend.
For tables of up to 6 people, please use our online booking facility. For larger parties, please call or email us.
We will contact you to confirm your reservation 24- 48 hours before your scheduled arrival.
We will endeavour to cater for all dietary requirements, but advance notice is essential. Please make a note when making a reservation online.
Restaurant Seating Times:
Mon-Tue: Closed
Wed- Friday: 6.30-8.30pm
Saturday: 12.30-2pm, 7pm-8.30pm
Sunday: 12.30-2pm
The Garden
November 2019
We are currently converting our one acre plot into a kitchen garden to provide the foundations of our pub & restaurant menus...
There have been some trials and tribulations with our polytunnel, but on its third resurrection, we had good success in the polytunnel this summer with tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, tomatilloes, summer squash and cucumbers and our fingers are crossed for a few physalis berries soon!
Now winter is setting in, we're working through some cabbages, Brussels sprouts, kales and mustards. A neighbour is growing winter lettuces and some other cold-hardy greens for us just down the road too. But soon enough the sowing cycles will begin again.
A few other bits and pieces
Gift Vouchers
Are available! Simply give us a call on 01422 832 103 to specify the amount you would like the voucher for and to make a card payment. Otherwise, drop us an email and payment can be made by bank transfer if you prefer. Our details are:
77806860 30-93-76. Please put your name as reference. We post vouchers out first class the same day.
Ceramics
We make all of our own plates and ceramics for the pub & restaurant. Over time we have got better at it and now have some available to sell. Our website naturalceramics.co.uk is currently under construction. In the meantime if you would like to find out more, please email hello@naturalceramics.co.uk. In addition to plates, bowls and other crockery, we're currently making beeswax candles in ceramic containers and tiered cake stands, ideal Christmas gifts. Everything we make is handmade, ash-glazed stoneware, using the ash from the wood-ovens and grills here at the pub.
Bread
Our bread is 24-hour proved sourdough, using 100% organic wholemeal flour, from Yorkshire Organic Millers. We sell loaves to take away during our opening hours, do pop in for a loaf! We're taking orders for Christmas loaves, for pick up either on Christmas Eve, or Christmas morning. Housemade mince pies made to a super-traditional recipe will be available too!
Be the first to know...!
Please join our mailing list or follow us on social media to be the first to know about our calendar of events: Bank holiday barbeques with whole animals roasted over fire pits, wine and beer tasting evenings and more!
Contact Us
For reservations of 6 people or less, please book online
Alternatively contact us by email: enquiry@themoorcock.co.uk
Telephone: 01422 832103
For employment enquiries, send your CV to enquiry@themoorcock.co.uk
Our address:
Moorbottom Lane
Sowerby Bridge
West Yorkshire
HX6 3RP
