BLUE LION
Yorkshire Dales coaching inn with top-notch cooking
STEP BACK IN TIME at this 18th century coaching inn, which mixes the traditions of a country pub with the feel of a mellow home.
Set in the heart of Wensleydale, the stone-built Blue Lion draws locals and visitors alike. Old-fashioned comfort and charm is the keynote here, with plenty of stripped wood, flagstone floors and shuttered windows. Old sporting prints, rustic bric-a-brac and ham hooks decked with sheaves of corn help set the tone in the bar, with its high-backed settles and Windsor chairs.
Sizzling log fires and polished bar taps positively encourage lazing over the papers with a pint of hand-pulled real ale. The 12 bedrooms – recently perked up by owners Paul and Helen Klein – are individually decorated with dark wood furniture, pleasing colours, country-floral fabrics and old prints. Choose between the olde-time charm of rooms in the inn (creaky floorboards included) or beamed ceilings and pine in the newer stables.
Hit the Spot
In the pretty Yorkshire village of East Witton
Bedtime
Choose between the olde-pubbe feel of the inn, or the newer rustic rooms of the stables
Be Savvy
You might even rub shoulders with an HRH – Prince Charles enjoys dining here
Be Smitten
Top-notch cooking and Yorkshire pub charm.
Meccas for foodies
The candlelit restaurant, with its picture-covered walls, apron-clad waiters and chalk board menus, has won a string of culinary awards, making this a mecca for foodies. Chef John Dalby puts the focus firmly on fresh local game and fish. Tuck into traditional roasts and delicious puds.
The Blue Lion was reviewed for Room for Romance by Tim Treyman
Set in the heart of Wensleydale, the stone-built Blue Lion draws locals and visitors alike. Old-fashioned comfort and charm is the keynote here, with plenty of stripped wood, flagstone floors and shuttered windows. Old sporting prints, rustic bric-a-brac and ham hooks decked with sheaves of corn help set the tone in the bar, with its high-backed settles and Windsor chairs.
Sizzling log fires and polished bar taps positively encourage lazing over the papers with a pint of hand-pulled real ale. The 12 bedrooms – recently perked up by owners Paul and Helen Klein – are individually decorated with dark wood furniture, pleasing colours, country-floral fabrics and old prints. Choose between the olde-time charm of rooms in the inn (creaky floorboards included) or beamed ceilings and pine in the newer stables.
Hit the Spot
In the pretty Yorkshire village of East Witton
Bedtime
Choose between the olde-pubbe feel of the inn, or the newer rustic rooms of the stables
Be Savvy
You might even rub shoulders with an HRH – Prince Charles enjoys dining here
Be Smitten
Top-notch cooking and Yorkshire pub charm.
Meccas for foodies
The candlelit restaurant, with its picture-covered walls, apron-clad waiters and chalk board menus, has won a string of culinary awards, making this a mecca for foodies. Chef John Dalby puts the focus firmly on fresh local game and fish. Tuck into traditional roasts and delicious puds.
The Blue Lion was reviewed for Room for Romance by Tim Treyman
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Dining in
The restaurant serves modern British cuisine in a traditional setting with open fires, candlelight and polished wood floors. Favourite dishes include warm salad of baked goat’s cheese with chorizo, tomato and courgettes, sautéed fillet of John Dory with confit of baby fennel, tarragon and tomato, and fresh raspberry puff pastry and vanilla cream mille feuille.
Dining out
Other good eateries include the White Swan in Middleham or the Wensleydale Heifer in West Witton.
Where?
The Blue Lion
What’s cooking?
Try moules marinière, pan fried breast of chicken stuffed with vignotte and sage, and a piquant raspberry sorbet and orange salad.
Dress the part
Dress up or down, as you like
Top table?
By the fireside in winter
See & Do
Explore Middleham Castle and Jervaulx Abbey. For an adrenaline rush head to York races, have a go at clay pigeon shooting or play a round of golf. There is a tennis court 100 yards away, and fishing and clay pigeon shooting within five miles.
Shop
Head to York for a feast of good stores.
After dark
Make an evening of dinner and a few chasers in the bar.
Dates
May
Buy your squeeze a unique bouquet at York’s Flowers Weekend.
The restaurant serves modern British cuisine in a traditional setting with open fires, candlelight and polished wood floors. Favourite dishes include warm salad of baked goat’s cheese with chorizo, tomato and courgettes, sautéed fillet of John Dory with confit of baby fennel, tarragon and tomato, and fresh raspberry puff pastry and vanilla cream mille feuille.
Dining out
Other good eateries include the White Swan in Middleham or the Wensleydale Heifer in West Witton.
Where?
The Blue Lion
What’s cooking?
Try moules marinière, pan fried breast of chicken stuffed with vignotte and sage, and a piquant raspberry sorbet and orange salad.
Dress the part
Dress up or down, as you like
Top table?
By the fireside in winter
See & Do
Explore Middleham Castle and Jervaulx Abbey. For an adrenaline rush head to York races, have a go at clay pigeon shooting or play a round of golf. There is a tennis court 100 yards away, and fishing and clay pigeon shooting within five miles.
Shop
Head to York for a feast of good stores.
After dark
Make an evening of dinner and a few chasers in the bar.
Dates
May
Buy your squeeze a unique bouquet at York’s Flowers Weekend.
GETTING THERE
Location
East Witton, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4SN
Parking
There is free guest parking.
Trains
Northallerton station – 15 miles
Taxis
GBP 40 from the station.
Airport
Durham Tees Valley – 35 miles
Rooms and suites
15 rooms
Special features
All rooms are individually decorated with an olde-inn feel.
Also…
All have DVD players and some have Freeview.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 80 - 120
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Late risers are well catered for: breakfast is served until 2pm.
Room service
None
Children
Welcome
Pets
Dogs are allowed in some rooms.
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English, French and Italian.
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Paul and Helen Klein – owners
Location
East Witton, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4SN
Parking
There is free guest parking.
Trains
Northallerton station – 15 miles
Taxis
GBP 40 from the station.
Airport
Durham Tees Valley – 35 miles
Rooms and suites
15 rooms
Special features
All rooms are individually decorated with an olde-inn feel.
Also…
All have DVD players and some have Freeview.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 80 - 120
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Late risers are well catered for: breakfast is served until 2pm.
Room service
None
Children
Welcome
Pets
Dogs are allowed in some rooms.
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English, French and Italian.
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Paul and Helen Klein – owners
