Three Pigeons, Halifax

Unremarkable from the outside, this town centre pub’s interior is astonishing – it bristles with original Art Deco detail; geometric patterning in the octagonal lobby’s terrazzo floor, metal ribbon signage on the tap room and bar lounge doors, oak paneling and ornate fire surrounds.

Grade 11 listed, it’s one of the UK’s top ten ‘Most Architecturally Important Pubs’ according to CAMRA. Build in 1932 for Samuel Webster & Son, one of Halifax’s leading brewers it was bought by Ossett Brewery a decade ago and has recently had a very sympathetic brush-up – most significantly, two back rooms have been created from old kitchens, and cheery manager Tina Winterbottom tells me they’re in regular use by all manner of folk for meetings; Halifax Antiquarians, the Green Party and once a month, the poetry group. There’s a terrific range of real ales on offer; choose from Yorkshire Blonde, Silver King, Beyond the Pale and Big Red to name but four out of nine, all of which rotate regularly. Food comes in the form of pork pies. But not just any old pies. Barry the Pie Man from Southowram delivers the likes of cheese & pickle, black pudding, steak and ale and as a nod to the modern, pepperoni. I can report that they’re magnificent, the perfect accompaniment to a cheeky half of Pale Gold.

There’s no distracting musak and your canine chum is welcome; what with nicely kept beer and delicious pies this extraordinary pub has gone straight into our top ten.