An historic Leeds pub has been included in a guide to England's 33 most interesting boozers.
Whitelock's, which dates back to 1715, features in Great Pubs of England by travel writer Stuart Husband and photographer Horst A Friedrichs. The book, published by international publisher Prestel, is more of a travel guide to the country's unique, quirky and historic taverns than a straight-up good pub guide.
Husband praises Whitelock's for its timewarp location in Turks Yard, off Briggate, and its period fixtures and fittings as well as its real ale and 'above-and-beyond pub grub'.
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He writes: "The Edwardian interior, also compact... has been largely untouched over its 300-year lifespan, from the bar itself with its ceramic tiles and windows of etched and stained glass, proclaiming its status as 'Whitelock’s First City Luncheon Bar', to the homely fireplace and the original cast iron table bases with the pub’s name adorning them..."
The entry includes highlights of the pub's history – authors JRR Tolkien and Keith Waterhouse, as well as actor Peter O'Toole, enjoyed a drink at Whitelock's – as well as amusing quips from the pub's manager Beth Templeton.
She tells Husband: "We get locals, tourists, shoppers and young hipsters who like to think they’ve discovered the place. They love the authenticity of it."
The other Yorkshire pubs, in this guide comprising mostly pubs in London and the South East, are The Blue Bell, York; the Michelin-starred gastropub the Angel at Hetton, Yorkshire Dales; and the White Horse Inn, Beverley.
Great Pubs of England is out on October 4 priced £35.
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