“An English village could never be mistaken for an American one: the outline against the sky differs; a thatched cottage makes a very wave line on the blue above”. Or, at least, this was the consensus when Maria Mitchell visited England in the 19th century. Nowadays, the English village roofs are typically slate. In reality, the outline of most English and American villages against the sky is nearly indiscriminate. A hunt for a thatched cottage is a relative challenge. However, in the small Northern village of Harome, a gastropub welcomes visitors with an open green door and the shelter of a proudly traditional thatch roof intact.

On the border of the Nork York Moors National Park, the country village of Harome lies a couple of miles from the market town of Helmsley. Helmsley’s attractions bring in many visitors. Popular sites include attractions such as Helmsley Castle, Helmsley Walled Garden, and the historic ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. However, those looking for divine, Michelin-starred dining seek the solace of the quieter, rural area of Harome. Here, visitors will find The Star Inn – a luxurious gastropub that prides itself on delivering the finest culinary experiences.

The 14th century, thatched-roof building immerses beholders in a traditional British atmosphere at first sight. Its whitewashed stone exterior casts a striking image – an aesthetic nod to the inn’s Yorkshire locale. Although, the restaurant’s allure is far from rooted in the history of long-past centuries. For the past 25 years, The Star Inn Harome has climbed the ranks of renowned dining with chef and patron Andrew Pern at the helm. Andrew has seen the inn earn a Michelin star and deserved spot in the Michelin Guide, amongst many other esteemed awards. A visit offers guests a golden ticket to one of the UK’s most highly revered restaurants.

Upon seating, guests can expect a creative a la carte menu – naturally seasonally themed with fresh, local produce in mind. For those who pre-book, a tasting menu will guide you through the restaurant’s delicious culinary options, with a choice to add thoughtful wine pairings to accompany. Begin with a carefully crafted starter, such as the ‘Loose Birds’ Confit Duck Lollipop, which comes served with wild allium, shallots, and jerky. Gradually progress to main dishes – including the ‘Thyme-roasted Milk Fed Squab Pigeon with Smoked Almond, Celeriac and Sauce Periguex,’ which the Wine Consultant suggests you sample with the French wine Along Came Jones Sleeping Beauty. To finish, consider an optional cheese course or progress straight to the selection of mouth-watering desserts. Indulge in the ‘Yorkshire Rhubarb Souffle’ and the ‘White Chocolate and Cep Magnum’, which comes drizzled with The Star Inn’s own bee’s honey.

Of course, guests who do not opt for wine pairings can still expect expert guidance when navigating the drinks list. A personal note from Andrew Pern welcomes guests to the “little Country Inn” in the digital drinks menu. The chef suggests a carefully selected array of favourite beverages from the drinks menu, offering guidance with singular pairings in mind. “If my menu choice was more carnivorous,” Andrew says,” I’d go for the Cabernet Franc Zuccardi Apelcaion or the Rioja Reserva, which is easy drinking and a good middle of the road wine to suit all palates dining on red meats, some lighter game and poultry too”.

And, aside from the high-quality dishes and drinks that await, the dining locations offer perfect flexibility for individual preference. Opt to dine al fresco in the fresh air and privacy of the restaurant’s garden area. Here you will find outdoor seating of soft pastel green, with table umbrellas for a private spot of shade on sunnier days. And you needn’t worry that a spell of rain may impact your dining experience. If the famed Yorkshire drizzle and cold creeps in, the restaurant interior welcomes diners with the warmth of roaring stone fireplaces and padded cushion seating. Guests can dine under the traditional exposed beams while watching the elements through the safe barrier of the windows.

Before or after dining, you may wish to indulge in a high-calibre tipple at the inviting, wood-panelled bar. The Star Inn Harome also welcomes guests solely looking to sample the bar snacks and a drink or two. The bar snack menu is not to be overlooked – a merely smaller selection of the culinary delights seen in the main dining menus. Tuck into a ‘scrambled village hen’s egg’, complete with herring caviar and chives – perhaps opting for the added treat of an accompanying Edwards 1902 Yorks Wolds vodka. The Lindisfarne oyster is another firm favourite, lavishly served with ‘bubble ‘n’ squeak, raw kale, cured ham and straw potato’.

In terms of fine beverage selection, knowledgeable bartenders are happy to guide guests to the drink of their taste. For champagne lovers, the Tattinger Comtes de Champagne is a delicious rose with flavours of ‘wild strawberries, morello cherries, blackcurrants and almonds’. For those wanting to indulge a little further in The Star Inn Harome’s in-house creations, the York Gin Old Tom is a must-sample. The drink is created from the restaurant’s signature ‘The Star Inn Gin’, served infused with a kitchen-made rose, herb, fennel, and star anise syrup.

Aesthetically, The Star Inn Harome is a snapshot of English village hospitality in a century-long gone. In service and dishes, the inn pushes the top calibre of Michelin venues in the world today. The Star Inn expertly performs an intricate balancing act – highlighting its glowing status as a given right. For a 21st century taste of traditional English village hospitality, look no further than a trip to Harome.