It would be consummately unprofessional to discuss what is ‘probably Yorkshire’s oldest hostelry’ without mentioning its history.
So here’s the history lesson. I’ll be quick.
The earliest record of The Old Bridge Inn, Ripponden, dates back to 1307.
According to the present day gastropub’s website it was “the home of the early Yeoman Clothier Robert of Brigge of Soland whose descendants built many fine houses in the area, including Somerset House in George Street, Halifax.”
The first recorded landlord of this now Grade II listed tavern was John Hurstwood in 1754.
The main building you see today was built in the mid-18th century but inside are older features which can be traced back to the 16th century.
History lesson over.
You reach The Old Bridge Inn via... wait for it... an old bridge over the River Ryburn.
As you traverse its cobbles you already feel as if you’ve stepped back to an era when most people wore clogs and thought the Earth was flat. But in a good way, mind.
Duck inside and it’s like being transported back to a preindustrial era – but with all the mod cons.
With cavernous ceilings bound by dark wooden beams, the bar and main dining area inspire an initial “woah!”
The Old Bridge Inn is from a time when people weren’t into swinging cats, so it’s cosy but not cramped.
Following the traditional Pennine theme I ordered a pint of Timothy Taylor’s Dark Mild – an assertive, roasty little number from Keighley – while hop-head Steph had the same amount of Outstanding Pale, a tangy pale ale from Bury.
Any pub worth its hops has a decent selection of suds and The Old Bridge Inn is one such gaff. There’s an excellent range of regular and guest ales, together with continental lagers, wheat beers, ciders and wines.
The menu is fairly typical of a gastropub, namely modern, finely tuned takes on trad pub fare.
To start, Steph and I ordered respectively a pigeon breast with a pickled pear and a black pudding salad.
Before that came we were offered a bowl of fresh bread and butter; it’s not a deal breaker but it’s a nice touch.
Steph said: “The pigeon was rich and an ideal size for a starter with an unusual sounding but delicious tasting pickled pear. This was the first time I’d had pigeon and if it is always this good then I’ll eat it again.”
Salads are normally the light option, right? Well, there was nothing light about this salad. Thankfully.
Topped with a poached egg and packed with black pudding and bacon, health-wise it was no great shakes – but it was a big hitter in taste stakes.
In an ironic twist, the leaves, you could say, were used to flavour the animal bits.
For mains Steph picked a steak, mushroom and ale pie.
Steph said: “This did not disappoint, the pastry was a lovely golden colour and light. No stodge here. Underneath lurked plenty of meat, tender in its gravy with plenty of mushrooms.
“Offered on the menu with mushy peas and pickled red cabbage, I just had the cabbage. The cabbage looked handcut and put the stuff in jars to shame.
“A side of home cooked chips were sufficiently tasty enough to lure Dave’s fork to steal them, neither super crispy nor soggy they were a perfect example of proper chips.”
As well as nicking Steph’s chips I made a prosciutto wrapped pheasant breast and a potato rosti disappear – very quickly.
The potato rosti was the perfect counterpoint to the rich, gamey pheasant breast and crisp prosciutto. And this tasty, bad boy came with a side of creamed savoy cabbage and chestnuts which I’d say was possibly the best ‘veg’ side I’ve had in living memory. Nuts, legumes and fruits (the chestnut is a fruit, pedant corner) make boring, green vegetables interesting – not that the creamed cabbage was boring.
Having eaten my main too fast I was stuffed but Steph, who understands deferred gratification, ordered a sticky toffee pudding.
And she said: “Although I had eaten plenty, it takes a stronger woman than me to pass up sticky toffee pudding. It was a delicious slab of dense, sweet cake with a delicious and slightly tart toffee sauce.” The service was swift, rapid almost, but I’m not complaining as there wasn’t a hint of fast food in any of our dishes.
Our servers were friendly and chatty, augmenting what is a super-atmospheric and welcoming venue.
The Olde Bridge Inn, Priest Lane, Ripponden, HX6 4DF
Tel: 01422 822595
Website: www.theoldbridgeinn.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-2pm and 6.30pm-9.30pm, Sun 12pm-2.30pm only
Children: Until 8pm
Disabled access: No
The bill: £47.10
Would you go back? Heck, yes!
