Situated slap bang next door to the Royal Oak, the Golden Slipper, like it’s bed fellow, is another grade II listed boozer within the city walls.

The pub (apparently) takes its name from a slipper found by workmen doing some rennovation work within the pub in 1984, as by all accounts, it was a medieval tradition to place two shoes in the construction of a building to ward off evil spirits.

Whilst a pair of London Base loafers or some Rockports usually send the thepubsofyork.com running, your favourite pub review website has no such reservations about medieval boots, which is quite convinient as the Golden Slipper is a rather nice pub.

There’s always a good, solid selection of ale on offer and the last visit saw your authors sample a pint of Golden Tankard from the Wylam brewery in Northumberland. At 4% and with an extremely light, hoppy taste it was eminently drinkable. John Smiths Cask, Old Speckled Hen, Deuchars and Bombardier were also available should you fancy something a bit maltier.

As well as a decent selection of ale, there is a choice of rooms in which to sup your pint. The bar area in the middle of the pub leads into four sepearate rooms, the nearest of which with a TV and front aspect is generally used by locals, with the room opposite providing good views of the tourists trapesing up and down Goodramgate and is set up for diners.

The back room, complete with dartboard is less cosy, especially when comparing it to the snug over the corridor which somewhat strangely doubles as a mini library. As well a couple hundred of books, a more conventional provider of entertainment is the wall mounted juke box that stocks classics from several eras. Its impossible not enjoy ten minutes picking songs from this beauty whilst reading a Mills and Boon with your pint.

But no matter where you sit (or what you read) you’ll enjoy a friendly atmosphere and a good pint, just so long as you’re not an evil spirit.

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