Birch HallInn

The Birch Hall Inn stands beside Eller Beck in Beck Hole, a hamlet between Goathland and Grosmont reached only on foot or by the Rail Trail path through the North York Moors. The Grade II listed building dates from around 1860 and is among the smallest pubs in England, its single room divided by a sweet shop counter selling boiled sweets and chocolate bars from jars. The pub takes cash only and pours a small range of real ales, including Black Sheep and a house beer, Beck Watter, brewed to its own recipe. The current landlady has run the pub for over four decades, continuing a pattern of long tenures — her predecessor held the licence for 54 years before her. There is no music, no fruit machine and no hot food beyond sandwiches, cheese and pork pies sold over the same counter as the sweets. In 2025 the European Bar Guide placed it 30th in its list of the continent's best 100 bars.