What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Woodman
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
The Woodman Inn is a traditional style pub with a modern twist. Shane and Laura run the pub together with Shane as chef patron showcasing some of the best locally sourced Yorkshire produce in his menus and specials. A great range of Yorkshire guest ales changing weekly and a fantastic laid back ambiance make us a must for a visit. Super dog friendly and with a huge kids adventure playground in the garden, we really are a must for a visit. Pop in and give us a try.
Features
CUISINES
Bar, British, Grill, Pub
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Dog Friendly
Free off-street parking
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Playgrounds
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available
Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 12:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 - 18:00
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
12:00 - 22:00
Wednesday
12:00 - 22:00
Thursday
12:00 - 22:00
Friday
12:00 - 22:00
Saturday
12:00 - 22:00
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4.4
951 reviews
Excellent
658
Very good
146
Average
58
Poor
47
Terrible
42
ruth
Beverley761 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
We booked to bring my Mum for lunch but unfortunately at the last minute she was not feeling well . Husband and I decided as we were in York we would still go for our lunch and so glad we did . We had the farm sharing platter which was amazing value with so much food from 4 thick cut pieces of Ham, sausages in honey scotch egg and an Asian beef that was so good . There were various mixed salads loads of Chunky pieces of bread and a big slice of pate that was too strong a taste for me but my husband enjoyed. I will bring my sister next time to try the fish platter . This is the 3rd time we have shared a meat platter and each time they have been different but all really good value .
Written 13 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom L
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • family
Me and my dad came here for Sunday dinner. We asked the lady if this pub was dog-friendly and our experience confirmed that it couldn’t have be more so. For example, this same lady brought out pieces of spare meat from the kitchen for the dogs which, being insatiable labradors, was perfect. All the staff were extremely accommodating and polite, for example manoeuvring around the dogs a little to serve our food when it arrived. The food was exactly what I was craving after a nice walk in the countryside just outside York. All round I had a great day with my dad and the pub did an excellent job of facilitating this and making me feel welcome.
Written 15 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa B
York9 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
Called in one Saturday late afternoon for a drink in the garden, decided to stay for tea, asked if ok happy to eat in the garden with the grandkids as busy inside, no problem. Had a lovely meal, kids burger, from the farm platter and Shepherds Pie, all really lovely and the wait wasn’t bad at all to say they were busy, the platter was delicious my husband especially liked the black pudding hash, my grandson loved his burger and my daughter really enjoyed the pie, grandson loved the chocolate brownie with ice cream. Can’t wait to be back for Sunday Lunch to celebrate a birthday soon. Staff are all very pleasant and helpful. Our favourite place especially for celebrating
Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick C
4 contributions
Sept 2024 • family
There.were some sandwiches and various other food items left on a table from a recently finished celebration. They were clearing them away and throwing them in the bin. I asked if I might have one of the sandwiches, to which the landlady replied " someone else paid for those, you're not having one". A very rude reply. What a horrible way to respond to another human being. Very sad.
Written 17 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woodman Inn Pub
We were clearing a funeral tea who were still in the building. Why on earth would it be acceptable to give another member of the public their leftover buffet food. Regardless of who had paid for it, it's a disgrace to even ask.
Written 18 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hannah F
Malton10 contributions
Sept 2024 • family
Mediocre food, lacklustre atmosphere, and an owner who clearly has no idea what customer service is (surprising given that they were very vocal that they'd been running pubs for years). They ought to learn some basic manners. Abrupt, unbothered, and just plain rude.
Written 9 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph909
Rotherham19 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
We had visited at the end of July and saw the food looked nice and so we thought we would visit again for a meal. We ordered the Shepherds Pie (3 of us did), the children’s chicken goons and the black and blue burger. We specifically asked for no cheese on the burger as my son is on the autistic spectrum and does not like it at all. We felt we didn’t need to explain this as it makes my son self conscious. The main waiters and waitresses were lovely and couldn’t do enough for us. When the food came out, this is when there was an issue as there was blue cheese on the burger and this had to be sent back. We all ate our meals as my son had no food while they cooked another. There was little apology or offer of compensating us for the mistake, and the landlady was abrupt when she came across saying she didn’t realise he was vegan (which he isn’t, he just doesn’t like cheese). We thought we didn’t need to explain why he didn’t want cheese but the landlady seemed to take offence to it even though it was us being inconvenienced. It spoilt what was supposed to be a nice family meal. To top it off, our puppy was sick on the carpet and the landlady was rude asking if she was eating something or had she thrown up, we didn’t hang about for desserts, we just left and will think twice about returning. A real shame and disappointment.
Written 25 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woodman Inn Pub
Well I have read your review, relayed it to the staff and now have a very upset and frustrated waiter. By his own admission he may well have misheard or not heard you when you asked for no cheese on your sons burger but took it straight back, did apologise and asked chef to do a fresh one which is why you had to wait for it. We cook fresh food! You actually told him on receipt of the burger with cheese on that your son had a dairy allergy. He was mortified.
When I came to clear your table with him I merely mentioned that the coleslaw on the burger plate was actually made with vegan mayo..... Dairy allergy information. Why would I think he was vegan ordering a beef burger?
I then also mentioned when you asked for dessert menus that we did have some sorbet that was dairy free for your son, to which the lady who had joined you for lunch of which she and her husband regularly come to us stated" oh he doesn't have a dairy allergy, he gets sweats if he has cheese"
It was completely our mistake if we didn't hear your no cheese request of which I had nothing to do with yet you cite I was rude, however what on earth does your son being autistic have anything to do with it and as a parent I personally think it is outrageous to include that in a negative review Again I was rude because your puppy was sick??? I am the most dog friendly place you will ever come across and I actually said don't worry I'll get some blue roll for you.
My waiter wishes he could post a response!!!
Written 25 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brian E
Norwich108 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
Visited while on a short break to celebrate our anniversary. Could not have been more disappointed. We both ordered steak which was so tough as to be virtually inedible. No-one asked us how our meal was. and when we came to pay, the hostess was indifferent to our presence, did not ask if we had enjoyed our meal, did not even smile, just handed me the bill.
I should have complained, but did not want to spoil our anniversary any more than the experience already had.
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura Brandon
Brian I am mortified reading your comments. I can not find a booking for you which I presume you would have made being your anniversary,, that being, we take all criticism seriously be it good or bad, but I have to say I am baffled by your comments. We have an amazing butcher and our steaks are always of excellent quality however as with anything there is always the odd " bad one" however if your meals were inedible then surely even if my staff, in error, forgot to check back on you surely you would have called someone over to request they were taken away and replaced, failing that, when we cleared you your plates would be full if they were "virtually inedible" at which point my supervisor would have been straight over. None of this appears to have been the case.
I am also baffled as to why you would pay £23.95 per steak if you were unable to eat them!
Written 5 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jo p
Kingston-upon-Hull49 contributions
Apr 2023 • friends
My friend booked this and as a new coeliac I rang myself to enquire. Was met with a rude and unaccomdating woman who I had the pleasure to meet a few weeks later “it’s on the website” and “no then there’s nothing for you” we’re go to phrases over the phone.
Very restrictive menu
Was told “most things can be gluten free as food is made fresh” which it states on the Website and I was told over the phone weeks previous.
Ordered a nut roast (as a vegetarian) was told this isn’t gluten free. Asked for a roast without meat, was told no as I can’t have a Yorkshire pudding (what gluten free adaption do they actually do?) so it would be just veg. The owner/manager stood and pretty much told me I was to have the moussaka and “that’s the vegetarian gluten free option”
For pudding there was 2 options….ice cream or Eton mess WOW!! Zero effort at all for people with dietary restrictions
The food was fine. Unfortunately the pub and their menopausal manager need to get out of the 1970’s and into present time and offer vegetarian something better than nut roast. I don’t appreciate the lie that things can be adapted for allergens as no adaptations were offered I was just pushed into having something else.
Won’t be returning
I will say that the waitresses were lovely and hospitality, friendly and really tried hard.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura Scott
Thanks for your review but what a shame you have chosen to bulk it out with fabrication and insulting comments.
Yes, the Sunday menu is more restrictive as it only has 4 main courses plus a choice of 3 roasts so yes there are less options for a vegetarian coeliac but I am the menopausal owner you rudely insult and am also coeliac and we are very well known for the way we address dietary requirements.
You were advised that we make our own Yorkshires but to avoid the risk of cross contamination, we do not make gluten free ones. We do make our cauliflower cheese and gravy gluten free too.
However You chose to have the vegetable moussaka and we did gluten free garlic bread for you with it. The same dish your partner chose.
At no point would we have been rude, to you, not stated" there's nothing for you" how absurd a comment, and if you've looked at the menu online as you claim, also phoned the pub to ask, as you claim, and not seen anything you like then why come? I'm sure your friend and her aunt who are regulars of ours would have taken you elsewhere had you voiced your issues.
Written 2 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Edinburger999
Edinburgh1 contribution
Aug 2024 • family
My family and I were visiting York and stopped into the woodman for some dinner. The pub has a great atmosphere and a fabulous play area for the children. There was a great selection of food on the children’s menu and colouring in sheets provided to keep the little one occupied! A lovely touch!
The food was superb, a great selection and exceptionally tasty. Staff were excellent, friendly and very attentive. Would recommend to anyone looking for a lovely pub dinner with a family friendly atmosphere! Will definitely be back!
Written 28 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClarkeyBarnsley
2 contributions
Apr 2023 • couples
We chose the woodman based on the reviews & recommendation. Sadly, we were very disappointed.
My husband ordered a classic burger .. he said the cheese tasted “off” but the chips tasted like they’d been fried in over used oil. I agreed, as I ordered the chips with my “Mediterranean” Vegetable wrap, which was quite a surprise as it only contained chunks of over cooked carrot, swede and celeriac, with a few limp green leaves… a world away from anything Mediterranean !
We offered our dogs a chip… 1 refused (strange) and the other threw it straight back up, and we had really bad indigestion for hours after. Sorry, and maybe the chef was having a bad day, but we would never return to this pub.
Written 8 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura Scott
Thanks for taking the time to leave this.
Our chef is deeply regretful that you received a root veg wrap instead of a Mediterranean one. We have just swapped menus and he made the wrong one. Thousand apologies.
Interestingly, you didn't comment nor complain whilst in the pub which you will have noted was absolutely rammed full both inside and on our 1/2 acre garden, nor did either of you send your food back. I'm sure if my food was off, limp or cooked in old oil I certainly wouldn't eat it nor pay for it!! Yet you did! All our produce is fresh in daily and your oil and chips comment doesn't even warrant a response...
And as a dog owner and lover, I'm not surprised they didn't eat twice fried salted chips!!! Dog treats are on the bar...
Written 8 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amy A
North Yorkshire4 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
We used to visit the woodman regularly as a family under previous management and found the food and atmosphere to be hard to beat.
On our last visit the owner gave off such a cold hostile attitude that it has put us off returning, which is such a shame.
We sat outside and a number of rude comments were made by the lady who was far from accommodating
With our young child and a member with mobility issues, we were also what I can also describe as ‘told off’ for putting on the outside heaters that had a switch next to the table to turn on, very unpleasant to be made to feel unwelcome and spoken to in such a rude manner when you are hoping for a nice family meal out - for that reason we haven't returned since, the food was also very average and not a patch on the previous chefs which used to be second to none, but now the standard has dropped so much it seemed overpriced for the quality
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LauraS
Very baffled by this review written and posted 5 months after you allegedly visited us.
If you rate us a 1 star and were so disappointed why did you not review us after your visit? instead of waiting 5 months? We bought the pub in 2019 so if you were regular visitors, it begs the question why it took 3 years before you revisited us. We would never seat someone with mobility issues outside as its metal chairs and tables so would not be comfortable. You cannot switch the heaters on yourself unless they are on at the mains switch which they were not so you couldn't have been "told off" for putting them on as you would have needed to ask us to put them on for you.
All our reviews are 99% of the time more than positive and speak for themselves so none of us here find yours in any way accurate.
Written 31 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
happygirl189
York36 contributions
Feb 2025 • couples
Visited for Sunday lunch. Booking strongly advised. Excellent value and top quality. I had prawn cocktail to start, which was beautifully presented and taken up a notch by the inclusion of caviar and a generous portion of wholemeal bread. Loved it. Main course Roast Beef. The meat was incredibly tender, HUGE Yorkshire pudding was perfect. Extra gravy given as standard. Roasties, carrots, broccoli, red cabbage, delicious cauliflower cheese, horseradish and mustard available. Just about saved space for a (shared) pudding- the black forest cheesecake. So glad we did…. It was stunning, with a scoop of beautiful cherry ice cream on the side. Not too sweet or sickly. Just divine.
What I loved was that you couldn’t get a more classic menu than prawn cocktail/ roast dinner/ anything Black Forest. But it was all elevated to something really special, and delicious.
Friendly ambience. Clearly popular with locals and families. Our dog was treated very well too. I recommend.
Written 9 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger4761
Kettering12 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Steak for 2 and a bottle of red wine. The steak was cooked to perfection, the chips were double cooked and nice and crispy, with a good side salad, big tomato and a nice mushroom. Very tasty and well executed. Well done chef. I would recommend this place.
Written 8 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
234Darren
192 contributions
May 2024 • family
Lovely Sunday lunch. Well prepared and well cooked. Only minor gripe would be £9 for the children’s Sunday lunch which was very small served on a small side plate. It was infant size not children’s. Apart from that it was lovely.
Written 20 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parkerge
73 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
Firstly this is a pub I’ve been to a number of times over the years, I in fact used to work here, so I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for it. I don’t live in York anymore but I’ve never had an unpleasant experience here so I drove here for a meal with my missus, expectations probably quite high…
The service was fantastic, I’ve seen some reviews knocking the landlady, if they’re true we must have caught her on an off day because she was lovely, very attentive, had a good chat with us. The lad running about was good too, very attentive, quick service overall.
Excellent choice of beverages, I had a Morteti shandy and it was pitch perfect!
For starters we went for the Camembert to share. The bread, olives, peppers, celery, all nice additions.
The Camembert itself though didn’t quite hit the spot, I can’t put my finger on why, it tasted a little strong and I thought the rosemary maybe over powered it slightly. Perhaps some honey or chilli would’ve gone nice in there, but I let this slide because maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. My missus did agree and say it didn’t hit the spot too.
Mains we both went for the steak. I’ve seen people on here complaining about the fact the flat iron has to be medium, in my eyes this is standard practice for a flat iron, I know for a fact Cut and Craft do this. The steak was cooked beautifully, blushing pink, incredibly tender, well seasoned, 10/10. No complaints on the peppercorn sauce either. The mushroom and tomato were nice additions, for £17 or whatever not bad.
The sad bit came with the triple cooked chips, again I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, didn’t taste quite right. I’m not sure if it was they tasted a bit starchy, or the oil perhaps needed changing? I’m no chef but it just didn’t seem quite right. The mixed salad had a rather strong type of dressing on it, it was quite a few flavours all at once. Had the chips been good though, overall I think it would’ve been a nice main. A shame! I didn’t bother complaining, as I’ve written here the overall experience was still a nice one and I’m not that fussy.
As I’ve mentioned previously I’ve had great experiences here, even in recent ish times, the seafood platter I’ve found to be excellent value for money and very tasty. I’ll be back but hopefully see a few improvements😊
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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