Swiss-born Jürg, his wife Jane, their Son D’Arcy and Daughter-in-law Anna took over The Malt Shovel in the summer of 2006.

Jane and Jürg ran The Old Deanery Restaurant in Ripon between 1967-1988 and it was here that they brought up their six children. When the children had flown the nest, they moved on to create the hugely successful Bleikers Smokehouse but returned as restaurateurs when D’Arcy and Anna made the move up from Lewes.

With Jürg as Head Chef the family has worked together to create a restaurant that they are extremely proud of. Their individual inputs are borne of years of passion for food and wine and their pride and enthusiasm for this little restaurant in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside is evident from the second you walk through the door. Imbued with all the personal touches you would expect from a family-run affair, it is an establishment which values its local drinkers, embraces the rustic oak-beamed building it inhabits and goes that extra mile to ensure their customers leave knowing that they have found a little gem!

From the moment you enter this 16th-Century building in the heart of Brearton, you will be confronted by the ancient oak beams, big leather chairs, flag stone floors and wonderful open fires that give this country pub its character. With the original bar that was created from old church panelling, fireplaces that were rediscovered and brought back to life in 2006, and pianos that get to accompany the finest singers, The Malt Shovel is crammed with unique character and charm.