The White Swan
The White Swan has been welcoming guests to Ampleforth for generations — a place to gather, refuel, and enjoy good company.
We are proud to carry that tradition forward, serving thoughtful, seasonal food made with the best local ingredients and a generous helping of Yorkshire hospitality.
The Restaurant
Whether you’re joining us for a long lunch, a special evening out, or a Sunday roast with the family, the restaurant at The White Swan offers a warm welcome and food that’s worth slowing down for.
Led by Michelin-trained chef Kieran Duffy, our menus change with the seasons — celebrating the best local produce, classic flavour combinations, and confident, creative cooking. Expect thoughtful takes on pub favourites, beautifully balanced small plates, and desserts you’ll want to save room for.
Our dining spaces are relaxed but refined, with cosy corners, generous tables, and a friendly atmosphere that’s perfect for everything from date nights to group get-togethers.
Pair your meal with something from our carefully chosen wine list, a pint of local ale, or even just a great cup of coffee — and let us take care of the rest.
We recommend booking, especially at weekends — but there’s always space at the bar while you wait.
The Bar
You can always expect a warm welcome at the bar at The White Swan. While the restaurant draws visitors from far and wide, the bar remains the beating heart of our village pub — a place for locals to catch up, share a story, and put the world to rights over a proper pint.
Our team are always on hand to pour you something great — whether it’s a pint of local ale, a glass of something cold, or a soft drink for the designated driver. We’re proud to serve Yorkshire favourites including Helmsley Brewery and Theakston’s, all perfect alongside our seasonal plates and bar snacks.
On chillier days, grab a seat by the fire and settle in. When the sun’s out, our patio area is the perfect place to relax with a drink and good company.
Our wine list is carefully chosen to complement the food — but available throughout the pub, with a wide choice by the glass. And if you’re just passing through, we serve freshly brewed coffee to enjoy in or take away.
We are proudly a dog-friendly pub — four-legged friends are always welcome.
Kieran
Co-Owner & Head Chef
Kieran is classically French-trained and has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants across the UK and abroad, including time spent in France as a young chef. His passion? Creating exciting, vibrant food that brings people together.
With experience in some of the world’s most acclaimed kitchens, Kieran blends classical technique with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients – reimagining pub classics with finesse and creativity.
His vision for The White Swan is simple: to create a warm, welcoming space where genuine hospitality meets exceptional food.
Jamie
Co-Owner
Jamie’s journey in hospitality began right here at the White Swan in Ampleforth, where he took on his first job and quickly discovered a love for food, wine, and cocktails. A true foodie with a natural curiosity, he followed his passion abroad, studying wine in Australia and New Zealand and deepening his knowledge of global hospitality.
His career has taken him across the world, from the cocktail bars of Manly, Sydney to hatted restaurants in New Zealand, with experience also gained in Auckland, Queenstown, and Amsterdam. Along the way, travel and culture played a huge role in shaping his approach to warm, guest-focused service and quality-driven food and drink.
Jamie returned to Ampleforth with the ambition to revive The White Swan — a pub he had long admired — and to restore it as a community hub and dining destination. Inspired by the region’s rich history of award-winning pubs and local producers, he teamed up with Michelin-trained chef Kieran Duffy to bring the venue back to life.
Previously, Jamie also worked at The Star Inn in York, further grounding his experience in Yorkshire’s food scene.
