NEARLY four years after it re-opened in the capable hands of manager Sean Cassidy, the Willow Tree at the top of Riddlesden village is a winner.

It has been voted Keighley and Craven Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of the Season for summer 2016.

Extensively refurbished during January this year, and now run by Sean with assistant manager Rebecca Whitely, “the Willow” offers something for everyone.

The key attraction to real ale drinkers is, of course, the range of superbly-kept cask beers, which are sourced via local brewery, Bridgehouse. Three Bridgehouse beers are normally available alongside one or two guests from further afield.

Food is available daily between noon and 3pm, and from 5pm to 8pm.

There is always lots going on at the Willow Tree.

Monday is when the local pool team plays; for the rest of the week, the pool table is free of charge. Tuesday is quiz night, when a free supper is available to participants.

Food-themed nights are expected to start soon, with Monday being Steak Night and Thursday being Curry Night.

Friday evening offers a free jukebox and there are live music nights on some Saturdays - check the pub's Facebook page for dates and times.

The pub was tastefully refurbished in January 2016 by Julie Kelly and Marie Townsend, who own the lease.

The right-hand room, decorated with old sporting photographs, has more of a games room feel and is where you will find the pool table, juke box and sports TV. To the left is the lounge, which is warmed in winter by a multi-fuel stove and features old photos of the pub.

Pub historians should also note the old House of Hey windows in the porch and the tiny round Hey‘s Victory Ale to the left of the door as you enter the pub.

There is a small outdoor drinking area on the downhill side of the building, alongside a separate smoking area. An upstairs room is available for meetings.

Although a little off the beaten track, the Willow Tree is well worth a visit. It has an excellent community spirit and is one of the few pubs in the Keighley and Craven CAMRA area to have been designated an Asset of Community Value.

The Pub of the Season award was due to be presented to the Willow Tree last night.

Contact the Willow Tree, Ilkley Road, Riddlesden, BD20 5PN, or call 07533 651464. The pub’s Facebook page can be found by typing The-Willow-Tree-Inn-Riddlesden into the Facebook search box.

Visit the WhatPub website for further information, at whatpub.com/pubs/SKI/RIDD-1-WILL.

If you want to get to the Willow Tree, TLC runs a daytime bus (708) up the hill, otherwise it‘s a 15-minute walk up Granby Lane and Banks Lane from the bus stop opposite East Riddlesden Hall (Keighley Bus Company route 662), or if you know where you are going, a ten-minute walk up the cat steps from the Bar Lane stop.

Visit keighleyandcraven.camra.org.uk to find the Keighley and Craven CAMRA website.