Did you know that there are over 30 pubs in Yorkshire named after racehorses? But only one Alice Hawthorn Inn* named after one of the greatest ever English racing mares. Located in the idyllic village of Nun Monkton, between Harrogate and York, the award-winning pub sits proudly on one of the few working village greens in England - a fitting setting for the uniquely named inn.

Born in 1838, Alice Hawthorn won 51 out of 71 races, with 14 other cups, 18 Queen's plates and in 1844, her most successful year, she brought home the Ascot Gold Vase, the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup.  Unsurprisingly known as 'Queen of the Turf' her foals also went on to be Derby winners.

With 9 top class courses, over 170 meetings per year and numerous winning stables, Yorkshire enjoys a fabulous racing tradition dating back to 1519.  Indeed the Kiplingcotes Derby in East Yorkshire, England's oldest horse race, celebrated its 500th anniversary in March this year.

Alongside the excitement of racing comes the customary wining and dining and excellent Yorkshire hospitality, and this is where The Alice Hawthorn Inn wins hands down. Winner of Yorkshire Life Dining Pub of the Year in 2017, The Alice has maintained its outstanding form, with a recent online magazine review** describing it as 'one of the most enjoyable dining experiences we've had all year…a glorious place for dining and a drink, with wonderful staff.'

The Alice Hawthorn Inn may well be named after a celebrated racehorse, but the front runner in the naming stakes is former England and Yorkshire cricket umpire Dickie Bird OBE, who not only has a pub named after him but a racehorse as well!*** 

- ENDS -

NOTE TO EDITORS

* The Alice Hawthorne in Wheldrake closed in 1999 and is now a residential house

** On-Magazine review by Roger Crow 6th July 2019

*** Yorkshire Post 28th November 2011

PR Contact: Emily Bennison; E: emilybennison@yahoo.co.uk; T: 07789 748970

For the full media pack please visit:

https://www.thealicehawthorn.com/press (password: alice)

Pub Website: www.thealicehawthorn.com

Address: The Green, Nun Monkton, York YO26 8EW; E: enquiries@thealicehawthorn.com

About the Alice Hawthorn:

The Alice Hawthorn Inn, located in the idyllic North Yorkshire village of Nun Monkton is an essential destination on the Yorkshire food trail. The 2017 winner of the Yorkshire Life Dining Pub of the Year, the pub has a fabulous reputation for delicious, fresh, seasonal food and is thriving under the management of John and Claire Topham.

Albeit under a few different guises, the village pub has been a landmark on the Nun Monkton green for 220 years. It was latterly named The Alice Hawthorn after an elegant local racehorse which had success at Doncaster, Goodwood and Ascot, gaining a reputation as 'Queen of the Turf'.

Following a period of closure under Punch Taverns, 'The Alice', as it is colloquially known, was bought in 2013 by the Harpin family who have lived in the village for 20 years. Richard and Kate Harpin have been instrumental in redeveloping and revitalising the pub, helping to create a cosy country pub with a warm Yorkshire welcome whilst securing its future for the benefit of the local community.  With John and Claire Topham coming on board in January 2017, they have created the perfect partnership.

During redevelopment: The award-winning Alice Hawthorn Inn in Nun Monkton is delighted to announce the development of 12 new rooms to complement its excellent reputation for first-class food.  Designed by architects De Matos Ryan, who have been involved with the recent renovations of both York Mansion House and York Theatre Royal, the project retains the rustic charm of the village whilst at the same time creating beautiful contemporary accommodation. 2019 will be a busy year for The Alice with the full project expected to complete by the end of the year.