The Blue Bell

The Blue Bell is one of York's great little pub characters, proudly billing itself as "a proper pub for proper pub people" and leaning all the way into its historic charm. Established in 1798 and still carrying Edwardian character from its 1903 decoration, it feels less like a pub that has been redesigned and more like one that simply kept being itself while the world got louder. Dogs are welcome inside, so nobody needs to do the pavement-waiting shuffle.

Tiny, atmospheric and full of old-York texture, it's exactly the sort of place that makes a pint feel more ceremonial than casual. Dogs are exceptionally well looked after here too, with water bowls, free treats, jumbones available to purchase, and plenty of fuss from behind the bar.

A proper pub, in every sense, for both humans and their dogs—perfect for a wet-weather pint or a cosy stop when exploring York's historic streets with four-legged company.