The Old Cock

The Old Cock is an independent real ale freehouse located at 11–13 Crossgate in the heart of Otley, a market town in West Yorkshire, England. It occupies a Grade-listed historic building dating from 1755, which originally served as two small cottages before being condemned for residential use in the mid-twentieth century and subsequently used as an antiques shop, a pottery, the Curlew Cafe and the Sugar Street Bistro. After falling empty for over three years, the building was purchased in 2008 by Linda and her partner, who spent around eighteen months securing planning and listed building consents (granted at appeal) and a further eighteen months restoring the property alongside the founder's father, David. The pub opened in September 2010. The Old Cock positions itself as Otley's independent ale house, championing ever-changing real ale from smaller independent breweries alongside better-known ales. It operates nine hand-pulled pumps, and also offers draught cider, a hand-picked whisky selection, wines, a gin selection and a range of alcohol-free alternatives. The pub has won multiple CAMRA awards and describes itself as welcoming, with friendly staff and the best-kept ales in town. It hosts events such as beer festivals, including one advertised for 26–29 October. The business is privately owned and independent, with no parent company or group affiliation. Its contact details are theoldcockotley@gmail.com and 01943 464424, and it maintains a presence on Facebook and Instagram.

The Old Cock occupies a building dated 1755, as recorded on its datestone. It began life as two small cottages. In the middle of the twentieth century the building was condemned for residential use and subsequently taken up for commercial purposes, serving at various times as an antiques shop, a pottery, the Curlew Cafe and the Sugar Street Bistro. It then fell empty for over three years. The idea for the pub originated several years before opening, when the founder and friends at the Otley Beer Festival discussed Otley's need for an independent real ale freehouse. Linda, the founder's partner, became determined to realise the idea and began searching for a suitable property. In 2008, after a couple of failed attempts at auction, they purchased a building within budget in the heart of Otley. The building was in very poor repair, but the founders had a passion for both real ale and old property renovation. The next eighteen months were spent obtaining planning and listed building consents, which were eventually granted at appeal. Restoration then began in earnest, with the founder and his supposedly retired father, David, spending a further eighteen months restoring the building under the watchful eye of Linda. Original features were exposed, including stone flag floors, original fireplaces, stone mullioned windows and the datestone. The building was made structurally sound and transformed into a working pub. In September 2010 the building started a new chapter as The Old Cock. Since opening, The Old Cock has operated as an independent freehouse, winning multiple CAMRA awards and building a reputation for well-kept ales and a welcoming atmosphere. It has hosted events such as beer festivals, including one advertised for 26–29 October, and has expanded its offer beyond real ale to include cider, whisky, wine, gin and alcohol-free options.

• 2010

  The Old Cock opened in September 2010 after restoration.

• 2008

  Building purchased at auction after a couple of failed attempts.

• 1755

  Building dated 1755, originally two small cottages.

Independent, multi-CAMRA-award-winning real ale freehouse in Otley, championing smaller independent breweries and well-kept ales.

• Real ale

  Ever-changing real ale from smaller independent breweries alongside well-known ales, served via nine hand-pulled pumps.

• Draught cider

  Delicious draught cider.

• Whisky

  A fabulous hand-picked whisky selection.

• Wine

  Delectable wines.

• Gin

  A mouth-watering gin selection.

• Alcohol-free alternatives

  A great range of alcohol-free alternatives.

1. 1The Old Cock – Otley's Independent Ale Housetheoldcockotley.co.uk
2. 2About – The Old Cocktheoldcockotley.co.uk
3. 3Old Cockwikidata.org