A Sunday Lunch Worth the Journey
There are certain places where the experience begins long before you sit down at the table, and The Fleece Countryside Inn is very much one of them. Approached via winding Calderdale roads, the arrival feels reassuringly unhurried. Extensive on-site parking removes any sense of friction, a small but meaningful detail that immediately sets the tone for a relaxed afternoon ahead.
First Impressions: A Proper Yorkshire Welcome
The exterior is everything you want a Yorkshire countryside inn to be. Built from warm, honeyed Yorkshire stone and sitting proudly within its landscape, The Fleece looks as though it has always belonged here. There’s a timelessness to it, the kind of building that quietly reassures you that this is a place that understands tradition, hospitality and how to do things properly.
From its elevated position, the views stretch out across the surrounding countryside, offering that instantly calming sense of space that makes you exhale without even realising you were holding your breath. It’s stereotypically Yorkshire in the very best sense, comforting, inviting, and quietly impressive.
A Warm Welcome, Handled with Confidence
Step inside and the welcome is immediate. There’s no awkward pause, no sense of being overlooked. You’re greeted warmly and confidently, then shown to your table in a way that feels both professional and genuinely friendly. It’s an important distinction, and one that The Fleece gets absolutely right.
From the outset, there’s a sense that you’re in capable hands, that you can relax and let the afternoon unfold as it should.
Ambience: Cosy, Elegant and Effortlessly Refined
The interior strikes a careful balance between elegance and comfort. Stone floors ground the space, giving it authenticity and texture, while the décor leans refined rather than rustic. This isn’t a pub trying to be something it isn’t; it’s an inn that knows exactly what it is and executes that identity beautifully.
Tables are well spaced, the lighting is flattering, and the overall atmosphere manages to feel cosy without ever tipping into cramped or cluttered. It’s the sort of environment where conversation flows easily and lingering feels encouraged rather than indulgent.
A Wine List That Knows Its Audience
Before the food even arrives, the wine list makes a strong impression. Thoughtfully curated and clearly built with food in mind, it offers enough depth to satisfy those who care about what’s in the glass, without feeling showy or overwhelming. Whether you’re choosing with intent or relying on a recommendation, the selection feels confident, considered and reassuringly well judged.
The Sunday Lunch: Simply Exceptional
Sunday lunch here is not treated as an afterthought. This is a serious offering, executed with intent and precision, and it shows from the moment the plates arrive.
Without doubt, this was the best Sunday lunch I’ve had in as long as I can remember.
The beef was cooked exactly as it should be, beautifully pink, properly rested and full of flavour. There’s a confidence in serving beef like this, and for those who prefer it taken further towards medium, that option is available too. The important thing is control; whatever your preference, it’s handled without compromise.
The supporting elements are just as strong. The red cabbage deserves special mention, balanced, gently sweet and deeply savoury, adding real depth to the plate. Potatoes and vegetables are treated with respect rather than relegated to the background, each playing its part in a thoughtfully composed dish.
And then there’s the gravy. This is not gravy in the casual pub sense of the word. It’s a proper jus, glossy, complex and unmistakably the result of time. You can taste the days of preparation in it, the layers built patiently and reduced down until what remains elevates every single mouthful. It doesn’t merely accompany the dish; it transforms it.
Yorkshire puddings are exactly as they should be, generous, crisp at the edges, soft within, and more than capable of standing up to the richness of the plate. Confidently done, without any need to shout for attention.
Dessert Worth Making Room For
Sticky toffee pudding isn’t usually my first choice, but I’d been tipped off that The Fleece’s version was something special. Curiosity got the better of me, and I’m very glad it did.
It was genuinely on another level. Warm, rich, perfectly balanced and paired beautifully with ice cream, it was easily the best sticky toffee pudding I’ve ever had. Not just good for a pub, not just good for Yorkshire, simply outstanding.
A Sunday Done Properly
Paired with a stunning bottle of red, the entire experience came together seamlessly. Nothing felt rushed, nothing felt forced. It was the kind of Sunday lunch that unfolds at exactly the right pace, allowing you to enjoy not just the food, but the time you’re spending there.
For those in Ripponden, Barkisland, Rishworth, Greetland or further afield across Calderdale and West Yorkshire, this is a destination worth travelling for. A Sunday at The Fleece Countryside Inn isn’t just a meal, it’s how Sundays should feel.
