Dine like a Yorkshire local

You can’t visit Yorkshire without eating a Yorkshire pudding or tasting Wensleydale cheese. Here are our suggestions reaped from our ‘Yorkshire Born and Bred’ knowledge.

The following are personal selections.

Eating Locally

The Blue Lion, East Witton

01677 624273

If you only eat out once during your stay at a Dalesend Cottage, this is the pub to choose. Reputed to be Prince Charles’ favourite pub when he stays in the Yorkshire Dales, it deserves the praise it receives. Great food, including Sunday lunches with exceptional Yorkshire puddings.

We recommend eating in the bar areas for the great atmosphere. In the winter there’s a real fire and it’s where the locals pop in, sometimes even the actor Daniel Craig. This pub is a left turn off the A684 after Constable Burton. Then just follow the road direct to East Witton. About 7 miles from us. Open for lunch and dinner.

The Blue Lion Website

The Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton

01969 622322

Beyond Leyburn on the A684, you pass through the picturesque village of West Witton. This has recently had an upmarket revamp and is perfect for a celebratory lunch or dinner. Noted for its fish dishes. A well-known and popular pub in this area. Guests have given great feedback too.

About 11 miles from us. Open for lunch and dinner.

Wensleydale Heifer website

The Queen’s Head, Finghall

01677 450259

This local village pub is just up the hill after The Friar’s Head, Akebar. Make a left turn off the main A684 and go up the hill to Finghall. Many guests write in our cottage guest review book that they are happy with this pub. We find it quite “traditional”. Open for lunch and dinner.

The Queen’s Head website

The Friar’s Head, Akebar Park

01677 450201

Friendly and the closest local to Patrick Brompton. It had a makeover to send it into the twenty first century in the nicest way. When we last went pre-lockdown, it had leather sofas, sheepskin and white washed walls along with a revamped menu. However, we haven’t visited since the new takeover so please let us know what you think? They have a large conservatory dining room and a west wing. It’s cosy in winter too with the real fire, and ales.

They always try to fit you in, but it’s getting so popular we advise you to book, especially for Sunday lunch. They did do a great Yorkshire pudding here… To drive there, stay on the A684 as you leave Patrick Brompton and you will see the pub about 1.5 miles on the left. Open for lunch and dinner.

The Friar’s Head website

The Wyvill Arms, Constable Burton

01677 450581

On the A684 going towards Leyburn 4 miles from Dalesend Cottages. The owner cooks and serves the gourmet food. The steaks are good, as are the fish dishes. It is a decent local option, maybe good for a cheeky lunch too.

Wyvill Arms website

The Sandpiper Inn, Leyburn

01969 622206

This pub is in a thatched cottage type building and gets good feedback. Probably the best pub to choose if you are in Leyburn which is a great market town itself.

We ate here a while back in the dining room and were impressed with the gourmet meal and attentive hosts.

There’s a notable market on a Friday, a great food shop called Campbells and quirky shops and cafes. Take a stroll along the Shawl which runs from the top of Leyburn town along the hill behind. This will give you fabulous views of Wensleydale whilst you walk off a good lunch.

The Sandpiper Inn website

Eating Further Afield

Vennells, Masham

01765 689000

We’ve eaten in Vennells, Masham, and love the food here. Inventive menus and good service. This is the best-kept secret of this area and Vennells is our second favourite after the Blue Lion. The chefs have reinvented their offering to provide you with a takeaway dine in style meal. You can collect and bring back to your cottage. Just 7 miles away.

Vennells of Masham website

Panettis, Bedale

01677 425270

Some of our guests have eaten in this bistro and liked it. There are also some very good tea shops in Bedale.

Panettis website

La Piazza, Richmond

01325 825008

Richmond has a good Italian that always looks busy when we drive past in the evening. We’ve also heard good feedback about it. Open for dinner.

La Piazza website

The Black Horse Inn, Fleetham

01609 749010

This is one of our favourite pubs to meet friends for dinner. It has good food and atmosphere. It almost has a feel of a Southern counties pub with its blackboard menu, lovely seating and decor. This is the other side of Bedale to Dalesend Cottages – on the Northallerton side, about 8 miles from us. Open for lunch and dinner.

The Black Horse Inn website

King Richard III, Middleham

01969 623240

We love the King Richard III pub for its food, ambience and décor. Locals come here and the Sunday lunch is definitely homemade. Service is slowish, but enjoy the beer and wines whilst you wait for a home-cooked meal.

King Richard III Hotel website

Frenchgate Hotel, Richmond

01748 822087

Try gourmet dining here. Open for dinner.

The Frenchgate website

Masham – The Bruce Arms or The White Bear,

01765 689372 & 01765 689319

The White Bear is one of our favourites. Masham is about 6 miles from us and is a pretty market town. It isn’t a large place but has a market on a Wednesday and some quaint shops. Open for lunch and dinner.

The Bruce Arms Facebook page & The White Bear website

Spice, Bedale

01677 424243

This is getting good reviews for the Indian food they serve. You must book Spice due to its popularity.

Spice Restaurant website

Richmond Station Cafe

01748 823062

The former Station at Richmond is a gem; arts, books, food, cinema, a mini centre of culture. We’ve also loved their café. It’s open every day except Thursdays, from 10am weekdays and 9am weekends for café food. Good for eating before a film too.

Station Cinema website

Tea rooms

Some suggestions, all rather good and some exceptional

High Parks Tearooms, Newton le Willows

1.1 miles from Dalesend Cottages – go here for a cooked breakfast if you feel like one! Excellent. Very popular and it serves food all day 10am – 5pm.

It is child-friendly but they tend to congregate in the ‘play area’ leaving discerning couples in peace in another area.

High Parks website

Betty’s Tearooms and Cafe, Northallerton

If you know Yorkshire well, you may already have Bettys on your ‘must-visit’ list. Bettys is the home of the Fat Rascal speciality scone and much, much more. You may have to queue. Also to be found in Harrogate, York and Ilkley.

Bettys website

Berry’s Farm shop and cafe, Swinithwaite

You can eat here during the day and buy delicious local produce from meat, veg and bread etc to bring back to your cottage.

Berry’s Farm website

Holiday cottages close by

If you’re looking for more than just a meal out, we can help. We have four luxury holiday cottages for couples near Bedale.

Our Hayloft Cottage has a wood burner and a luxurious free-standing bath at the foot of the bed. If you’d like a hot tub, you may want to consider Tack Room Cottage. For cottages with two rooms rather than open plan, there are Groom’s Rooms Cottage and Head Lad Cottage.