Pub of the Week: Historic village pub once hosted duel

But, back in 1839, customers flocked to The Black Horse in Thornton to watch a duel.

“It apparently attracted a good crowd,” says present day landlady Dee Blair.

Dee, who runs the pub with partner Ian. is proud to be at the helm of the traditional village pub that has been a popular watering hole since the late 18th century.

The Black Horse has been welcoming villagers since the late 18th century

“We are a wet-led pub, offering quality lagers, ciders and beers - we have four draft lagers and we always have beers on hand pumps,” she says.

“We serve between two and three hand-pulled real ales as well as a good selection of gins and spirits. We’ve got quite a reputation for a lovely pint of Guinness.”

Set on West Lane in the heart of Thornton, the Black Horse - our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week - dates back to 1790.

A stone’s throw from the birthplace of the Bronte sisters, throughout the first half of the 18th century the hostelry was used as a hearing house for the local coroner, hosting enquiries into deaths.

“Auctions of farms and properties were also held here. These sorts of activities were not uncommon to public houses in the 1800s,” says Dee.

“Also during that time The Black Horse had its own money club - a community bank.”

The stone fireplace and stove

With such a long history in Thornton, the pub has served generations of local families. “We still get families coming in together, older and younger generations, which is lovely,” says Dee.

“The pub has been a key building in the village for as long as it has been here.”

Its comfortable lounge and bar area is even more welcoming during the winter months with a blazing fire.

The characterful pub has a blazing fire in winter

There’s a pool room, with seating, which attracts players who know their way around the table - a league team plays every Monday throughout the season.

Visitors can enjoy a game of pool and matches are played

The dog-friendly pub has a lawned beer garden that soaks up the sun. “We have developed a nice side garden that has seating for 40.

Sometimes it is also occupied by the resident 28-year-old parrot Jock, who has many friends and likes to shout at the leaving customers and children passing on their way to and from school.

Jock the parrot with local Charlotte Rawnsley who used to work in the pub

Dee and Ian took on the Punch-owned pub in 2015. “There was plenty to do in the beginning as it was not in the best of condition at the time but hard work and determination had us trading within a week.”

The spacious garden

Punch has been very supportive of the couple, Dee is keen to point out.

“Many people speak badly of some of the big pub companies, but we found Punch to always be very fair and a good partner to be with, especially in times of need, such as the lockdown years.

“We have invested in the pub when finances allow and will do so in the years ahead, with the aid of Punch.”

The seating area beneath the pergola

Dee is full of praise for staff at the pub. “We have great staff who work very hard and always make everyone’s visit a pleasant one.”

Most weekends sees live entertainment, with a good variety of West Yorkshire bands and singers.

Buffets for local occasions can be provided on request, says Dee.

Dee and Ian feel they are lucky to be part of Thornton. “It’s a lovely village with a lots of history and some lovely people,” says Dee. “We thank the community for their support and always welcome existing and new customers.”