Julie Smith
17 January 2022
What’s a holiday without indulging in some delicious food and heading out to a local gastropub? It’s the perfect way to sample some top-notch local produce in characterful surroundings.
Luckily, Yorkshire has lots of wonderful dining pubs dotted around the Dales, Moors, Coast and Wolds and, with gorgeous holiday cottages close to many of them, you won’t have too far to travel for your tasty meal.
From traditional coaching inns to dining places with a Michelin star, here are some of the best Yorkshire gastropubs to visit and nearby cottages where you can rest your head during your foodie getaway.
The Wensleydale Heifer in West Witton
This 17th-century inn is nestled in West Witton, a pretty Wensleydale village that’s a popular calling point for walkers thanks to proximity to Penhill, a Yorkshire Dales peak with stunning views from the top. The Wensleydale Heifer is a dog-friendly Yorkshire Dales gastropub and restaurant that specialises in stunning local seafood with dishes like lobster, hake and classic fish and chips on the menu.
Stay at: The Old Reading Room
Just across the road from The Wensleydale Heifer is The Old Reading Room, a stylish holiday home with a private hot tub in the garden and a feature double wood burner to keep the property toasty and warm whatever the weather outside. Other property highlights include a spectacular glass staircase leading to two en-suite bedrooms and a large open-plan living room with a dining area and a sleek modern kitchen.
The Lister Arms in Malham
You’ll find award-winning cask ales and famous homemade pies on the menu at The Lister Arms, a dining pub which is located in the lovely Yorkshire Dales village of Malham. A gorgeous beer garden looks out over the village green and Malham Cove which was famously featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, one of the many Yorkshire film and TV locations that you can visit.
Stay at: Dugdales Barn
Dugdales Barn is a 19th-century stone cottage in nearby Settle with dramatic double-height living space, original oak beams and a sleek contemporary kitchen/diner. One of the bedrooms at Dugdales Barn features a floor-to-ceiling arched window that leads onto a private cobbled courtyard.
The Blue Lion in East Witton
The fabulous Blue Lion is one of the finest dining pubs in the area and is surrounded by lovely Wensleydale countryside. An original cobbled driveway leads from the East Witton village green to this quintessential Yorkshire coaching inn where top-notch food can be enjoyed in front of a roaring fire.
Stay at: Boutique 39
Boutique 39 is a chocolate-box stone cottage in East Witton that has a handsome double frontage and interiors that could have come straight from a 5-star boutique hotel.
With two beautiful en-suite bedrooms, an original stone fireplace and a beautiful rear garden that looks out over Wensleydale, this is a truly special holiday cottage.
The Punch Bowl Inn
Nestled high up in the very lovely Swaledale village of Low Row, you’ll find the well-renowned Punch Bowl Inn gastropub which dates back to the 17th century and offers top-notch, locally sourced food in a stunning setting. The pub is close to the famous Buttertubs Pass which is one of the highest roads in the Yorkshire Dales and you can tuck into classic dishes with a modern twist as you enjoy the spectacular surrounding scenery.
Stay at: Laykin Cottage
Laykin Cottage has an elevated position on the side of a hill with some of the best views of Swaledale around. The open-plan kitchen/diner makes this four-bedroom holiday cottage a great choice for families and there’s outside space where you can sit and make the most of your location.
The Fat Badger in Harrogate
The Fat Badger is a traditional English pub with two AA Rosettes located in Harrogate’s trendy Montpellier Quarter close to the town’s historic Valley Gardens. It’s a top choice for a Sunday lunch with all the trimmings and the a la carte menu features everything from sandwiches and pizzas to something a little fancier which you can wash down with a cocktail and enjoy while looking out over The Stray.
Stay at: Mushroom Cottage
Mushroom Cottage is a romantic retreat in a leafy Harrogate suburb with beautiful original features such as exposed beams and a stone fireplace. A charming courtyard garden is perfect for sitting out with an evening drink after your meal at The Fat Badger and the lovely king-sized bedroom is just right for a restful night’s sleep.
The Farmers Arms in Muker
With a spectacular location in Muker above the famous hay meadows of Upper Swaledale, you can enjoy wonderful views as you dine at The Farmers Arms. This classic country pub serves hearty home-cooked food with ingredients from local Yorkshire Dales suppliers and has an on-site microbrewery producing beers such as Crackpot Beyond the Pale IPA and Gundog Black Velvet.
Stay at: Brookside
Brookside is a traditional dog-friendly cottage in the heart of Muker with stone floors that are warmed by underfloor heating and a characterful inglenook fireplace at the heart of the holiday home. You can gather around the wood burner in the living room for a cosy night in or head out to the enclosed courtyard garden for an evening under the stars.
The Star Inn at Harome
It’s hard to imagine a more quintessential chocolate-box country pub than the Star Inn at Harome, a characterful 14th-century coaching inn near Helmsley that comes with a thatched roof, chunky white walls and beamed wooden ceilings. Many ingredients on the menu come from The Star Inn at Harome’s own kitchen garden and the excellent food has earned this Yorkshire gastropub a well-deserved Michelin star.
Stay at: Rose Cottage
This bright and contemporary townhouse is tucked away behind the market square in Helmsley, a popular North York Moors market town that marks the start of the Cleveland Way walking route and has lots to see and do with a historic castle, gorgeous walled garden and lots of independent shops to visit. Rose Cottage has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a cosy snug to go along with the main living area.
The Golden Lion in Osmotherley
This 18th-century honey-hued stone inn looks out over the market cross in the picturesque North York Moors village of Osmotherley. Head inside this Yorkshire dining pub and you’ll find whitewashed walls, cosy nooks, old pew benches and romantic candlelit tables. The menu at The Golden Lion changes regularly to make the most of local seasonal produce.
Stay at: Isla Cottage
Isla Cottage in Osmotherley has been beautifully renovated into a warm and welcoming holiday home for couples or small families. There’s a crackling wood burner in the lounge for colder evenings and a hot tub in the courtyard garden to add a little extra indulgence to your Yorkshire getaway.
The Queens Arms in Litton
The Queens Arms in Litton is a traditional Yorkshire Dales Inn that dates back to the 17th century and is Alistair Sawday recommended. With traditional open fires and wood burners, it’s a great choice for a Sunday Lunch and they even do fish and chips that you can take away. The white stone pub is as pretty as a picture, especially as it’s surrounded by the peaceful Yorkshire Dales countryside of Littondale.
Stay at: Elbeck Barn
Elbeck Barn is just a few short steps from The Queens Arms and this 300-year-old property is nestled idyllically on the banks of the River Skirfare. It’s an immaculate two-bedroom (and two-bathroom) holiday cottage which ticks all the boxes for a classic country retreat with a wood burner, exposed stone walls and spectacular views on all sides.
The Pipe and Glass in South Dalton
This former coaching inn is located on the historic Dalton Estate in the rolling Yorkshire Wolds and has held a coveted Michelin Star since 2010. It’s up to you whether you grab a sandwich and a beer in front of the roaring fire or tuck into a hearty Yorkshire Dales lamb in the Pipe and Glass dining room. There’s an extensive cellar of award-winning wines at this gourmet gastropub to wash down your food and a gorgeous garden to relax in after your meal.
Stay at: The Old Brickworks Cottage
The Old Brickworks cottage is a cosy cottage with a wood burner that sleeps up to four people and two dogs so is ideal for couples or small families. It’s tucked away in the peaceful Yorkshire Wolds village of Lund with the elegant Georgian town of Beverley close by and the Pipe and Glass either a short drive or a gentle walk away.
The White Swan in Gilling West
Located in the pretty village of Gilling West, close to the market town of Richmond at the top of the Yorkshire Dales, The White Swan is a modern gastropub with fresh seasonal produce at the heart of everything they do. An on-site butcher prepares the locally sourced meat with tapas options, steaks and regular burger nights.
Stay at: The Culverhouse
The Culverhouse is part of a large country estate on the edge of Gilling West with an array of wildlife walks to try and a private courtyard with a sheltered hot tub where you can sit out and make the most of the cottage’s scenic spot. Inside the property are exposed timber beams and a characterful open fire for cosy nights with family or friends.
The Boar’s Head in Ripley
The Boar’s Head is a dog-friendly coaching inn that’s part of the Ripley Castle Estate and uses fresh produce from the castle kitchen to produce top-quality cuisine which can be enjoyed in either the cosy bar or formal dining room. The pretty village of Ripley is perennially popular – it’s based on a French model village and features elegant Georgian buildings, cobbled squares and a historic castle.
Stay at: The Platform
This stylish holiday home is set on a former Nidderdale railway platform which looks out over wildlife-rich ancient woodland and comes with a landscaped garden where you can sit out, relax and make the most of its lovely location. The open-plan living room includes a quirky feature wall filled with sporting memorabilia along with a wood burner for added cosiness.
The Bay Horse in Great Broughton
The Bay Horse is one of two great dining pubs in the village of Great Broughton (the other one is the Jet Miners Inn) and is a lovely traditional country inn. The food is a mix of traditional and contemporary and there’s a choice of ales to wash it down in either the warm and welcoming bar or a pretty beer garden. There’s lots of hearty pub classics on the menu along with an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu.
Stay at: Ivy Cottage
Ivy Cottage is a gorgeous hideaway for two with an open-plan living space, cosy wood burner, exposed beams, solid wood flooring and a beautifully romantic bedroom. A wet room with a monsoon shower means you can enjoy the perfect start to each day before heading out for a walk in the nearby North York Moors.
Patio doors from the hand-made kitchen lead straight onto a courtyard garden which is the ideal place for either a morning cuppa or an afternoon G & T before wandering to The Bay Horse.
The Wheatsheaf Inn at Egton
Just a few miles from the Yorkshire Coast, you’ll find the gorgeous little village of Egton near Whitby. It’s home to the oldest Gooseberry Fair in the country and the very good Wheatsheaf Inn. It has been the centre of village life since the 19th century and uses lots of fresh game, fish and locally grown vegetables in its regularly changing menu.
Stay at: Egton Cottage
Egton Cottage is a two-bedroom holiday cottage in the village with country-chic interiors and a gorgeous garden that looks out over the stunning North York Moors National Park. A lovely farmhouse kitchen is at the heart of the house and there is exposed stonework and exposed timber beams throughout this gorgeous property.
The Black Bull at Moulton
Nestled between the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, you’ll find the pretty village of Moulton and the Black Bull dining pub which is renowned throughout the region for its very high quality of food and service. It’s part of the Provenance Inns group and is a dog-friendly destination for a top notch meal - especially as much of the produce comes from a nearby kitchen garden in Mount St. John.
Stay at: The Artist’s Retreat
This double-fronted chocolate-box stone cottage in Moulton is owned by a local artist and colourful paintings adorn the walls to add splashes of colour to this elegant dog-friendly retreat. Both bedrooms at The Artist’s Retreat feature original fireplaces and outside the property a walled garden is the perfect spot for relaxing to the peaceful sound of birdsong during a summer getaway.
Plan your Yorkshire getaway
If you’ve been inspired to head to Yorkshire for a foodie getaway, this is just a small selection of gastropubs you can dine at during your stay. For even more inspiration, read our guide to dog-friendly pubs in the North York Moors and browse our complete collection of Yorkshire cottages.
From bijou barn conversions for couples or solo travellers to large properties where the whole family can stay, find the perfect base for your next break. Many of our Yorkshire cottages are dog-friendly too so four-legged friends can enjoy a wonderful holiday too.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.