The Marton Arms in Thornton-in-Lonsdale has a tale to tell in numbers. The place has its origins in the 13th century, it’s landlady Sue Stephenson’s first pub, and it currently offers 15 real ales and ciders and 272 malt whiskies. To top it off it is now the season’s “No 1” according to The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Situated on the old Skipton to Kendal turnpike road in a picturesque part of North Yorkshire, the pub has built a reputation as a centre for real ale, hearty pub fare and a warm Yorkshire welcome.
The CAMRA award for Pub of The Season (Summer) is in recognition of its impressive range of cask conditioned beers and the management’s achievements in reviving the pub’s fortunes. Presenting the certificate at a special event attended by regulars and many CAMRA members, Lunesdale CAMRA Vice Chair Jenny Greenhalgh paid tribute to Sue Stephenson’s qualities as “a landlady who makes a point of talking to all her customers and who runs an excellent team.”
Accepting the award, which she described as “absolutely fantastic”, locally-born Sue Stephenson thanked her “great staff” as well as friends and family for their work in helping to make the Marton such a success. She paid particular tribute to her friend Fleur Smith for her invaluable support and assistance in running the pub.