It's a microbar with a not-so-micro name.

Given its full title, The Hugh Fitz-Baldric of Cottingham opened back in 2018 with huge anticipation. The pub, found in the heart of the village, has soon developed into one of the most popular spots in all of Cottingham.

But where did the mouthful of a name come from? Well, back in the 1400's the first Sheriff of Yorkshire hailed from the biggest UK village - a local man known as Hugh Fitz Baldric. That's the history lesson today. I spent an hour in the pub to see what it was like.

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Situated at 144 Hallgate, the pub is one of plenty in the area. Being a former shop unit, it may not be the biggest of pubs but even on a modest Thursday afternoon, the place seemed busy.

Though about as wide as a fruit and veg shop, the place went deep, and the bar length utilised that with plenty of different cask pumps and fridges. The signage on the outside had to sneakily add the "The" on the side to fit the full title, which made me smirk.

The pub was the branch winner of Village Pub of the Year back in 2023, and from the off, this place looked like a specialist in cask and cider. Each of the fridges had plenty of boxes of Lillies, and there were some other different breweries on draught.

I opted for the Burrows Blonde. It might've been the most expensive pint on at £4.20, but profits go to the MND charity, and I haven't tried the ale before.

Could this be the longest name for a pub in Yorkshire?
Could this be the longest name for a pub in Yorkshire?

There were plenty of seats in the area, but people opted to sit at the bar and speak to one another. Quite a common practice I've noticed visiting micro-pubs, and always a pleasant sight to see people talking.

Of course, there was only one thing on people's minds - the General Election - and conversations amongst different parties merged into one.

Whether this is a mix of micropub locals or the fact that The Hugh Fitz-Baldric of Cottingham (Hugh Fitz for short from now on) is a village pub, everybody knew everyone's name. The staff were on first-name terms with punters, punters knew everyone, but yet I never felt out of place because I'd get the appreciative nod my way.

In the following six years since opening, the place must've gone through its fair share of kegs. Old beer labels were used as decoration leading all the way through to the beer garden, something that I feel gives the place character. Old black and white photos of local sports teams were on the wall too, so as well as bearing the name of a 600-year-old sheriff we can see a 100-year-old cricket team. Nice touch.

Next time I'm around Cottingham, I'd definitely pop in to see what they have on draft. The pub keeps customers up to date on what's on next on their social media.

The Hugh Fitz-Baldric of Cottingham is open all week -

  • Monday - Wednesday, 3 - 10:30 pm
  • Thursday - 3 - 11 pm
  • Friday - Saturday - 2 - 11:30 pm
  • Sunday - 2 - 10:30 pm