A beloved village inn is set to reopen its doors with an entirely new vision.
The Royal Oak in Haworth, formerly known as Mill Hey, has for years drawn locals, tourists, and railway enthusiasts in West Yorkshire. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has purchased the venue and plans to return it to operation as a community-owned establishment managed entirely by volunteers.
The upper level, previously used as living accommodation, will house administrative offices for the railway group, while the ground floor will function once more as a bar operated by volunteers.
Sam MacDougall, a volunteer with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, stated that since the railway restarted services in 1968, The Royal Oak had served as their customary gathering place. The snug near the entrance displayed railway pictures and memorabilia, so they were all greatly dismayed when it closed so suddenly. The organisation views its railway as central to Haworth and the wider Worth Valley area. Restoring The Royal Oak as a community pub represents their method of thanking the village that has been fundamental to their survival.
The Royal Oak was initially managed by the Halifax-based Websters brewery before passing into private ownership.
The venue even suffered substantial flooding before shutting its doors without warning in 2024.
The revival comes at a difficult time for the hospitality industry yet marks an unusual success story for the sector.
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has already built up experience in hospitality through The Old Parcels Office, its acclaimed restaurant located above the platforms at Keighley station, renowned for its cuisine and beers produced in the region, while also serving as a community venue.
For over 50 years, locally-brewed cask ales have been offered on the railway’s buffet coaches, and catering outlets at Oxenhope and Oakworth stations emphasise obtaining supplies from the local area whenever practical.
The reopening of The Royal Oak offers another boost for Haworth, one of Yorkshire’s most popular visitor destinations, and illustrates that with imagination and community commitment, cherished pubs can still look forward to a bright future.