The Slaters Arms, Bradley, is the T&A's Pub of the Week

Six years ago, having no experience in the pub trade, Neil and Natalie Barlow, made the decision to run an inn.

“I worked for local government and Natalie had a childcare business,” says Neil. “We lived in Cononley and saw that The Slaters Arms down the road in Bradley was for sale. Whereas a lot of people have worked behind bars when they were younger we had not - we had no experience whatsoever.”

The Slaters Arms in Bradley

What they did have in spades, however, was friendliness and enthusiasm. “Our customers are great and we love meeting them - some days I cannot drag Natalie away from the tables. We have gained some fantastic new friends.”

Taking on a pub was quite nerve-racking, says Neil, but he and Natalie completed courses to master the art of keeping beer, cellar management and other areas of the business.

With traditional décor, The Slaters Arms - our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week - is warm and welcoming. “The friendly atmosphere was one of the first things that struck us when we came."

He adds: "We have a lovely horse brass and beam-style lounge with an original inglenook fireplace with a real fire. We have tables in the main pub for eating and a snug in the back where people to like take their dogs.”

The bar and inglenook fireplace

The dining room is full of character

The varied menu offers a range of traditional pub food. “Our biggest sellers are our home-made pies, with steak and kidney being most popular. We also have vegetarian and vegan choices to cater for all customers,” says Neil. “Quite a lot of people come with the intention of having something else and then see our list of pies and say ‘You know what - I’ll have a pie.’”

Locally-brewed ales include Timothy Taylor’s Golden Best and Boltmaker, as well as Yorkshire blonde from Ossett Brewery.

Neil and Natalie were thrilled this year to be handed the summer Pub of the Season Award from Keighley and Craven CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) group.

Phil Wood, far left, and Gill Shaw, far right, present Natalie and Neil with their Camra Pub of the Season Award

“That was fantastic,” says Neil. “I am passionate about keeping good beer. Our hand-pulled beers are our biggest-sellers. I want customers to say ‘That was a great pint, we will have to come here again.’”

The pub is also a member of Timothy Taylor's Champions Club, awarded to pubs who ‘go the extra mile’ to serve the brewery’s beer.

The rear of the pub with its attractive beer garden

The Crag Lane building has been a pub for more than 150 years. “It is a brilliant setting in the village and we get a lot of regulars,” says Neil. Groups come from across the district and further afield to meet up with friends. We get walking groups, cycling groups and young farmers who meet here for functions. The local cricket and football clubs meet here and also a knitting club.”

One big draw for customers at The Slaters Arms is the view. “We look across the Aire Valley, and can see towards the river, the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and railway. This year we saw the Flying Scotsman go past as well as a fly-by from the Red Arrows,” says Neil.

There are stunning views from the garden

“Our beer garden is south-east facing and gets the sun from 9am to 9pm, so it is very popular in summer.”

The view stretches across the Aire Valley

Running the pub is very much a family affair, with the couple’s children Lawrence, 16, and Harriet, 15, helping to stock shelves and wait on tables. “We’ve also got a great team of staff,” says Neil.

*The Slaters Arms, Bradley, Crag Lane, Bradley, Keighley, BD20 9DE Home-made food is available throughout the week except Mondays - booking is advisable at weekends. Phone to reserve a table.