Best British Drives – Leeds to the Tan Hill Inn
The Road from Yorkshire's Biggest City to Britain's Highest Pub
Jul 7, 2009
Yorkshire is renowned for its scenic countryside, with mile upon mile of dales and moors greening the county around cities, towns, mountains, rivers and waterfalls to the west of the east coast's traditional seaside resorts. This is especially true to the north of Leeds, where the Dales and North Moors national parks straddle the A1 road.
Market Towns and Dales Village to the North of Leeds
After leaving the suburbs of Leeds and joining the A1 off the A64 it is about thirty miles to Bedale and then another ten to Leyburn. Both towns are quite sizeable and have historic buildings and amenities. You are now in the 680 square miles of Yorkshire Dales National Park.
West of Leyburn, the B6270 road takes travellers on a scenic route over wild desolate Swaledale hills to the village of Reeth, which is visible in the valley below from miles away.
Bolton Castle, Askrigg and Aysgarth Falls
There are several tourist sites within a few miles of Reeth.
Six miles south of Reeth is Castle Bolton, a medieval fortress built over 600 years ago which was besieged during the Civil War in 1645 and housed the captive Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1569.
Colourful gardens below the castle look out over miles of green fields and hills. A small church above the castle, and stocks to the side, are further reminders of its interesting past.
Seven miles west of Bolton Castle is the cobbled village of Askrigg, where All Creatures Great and Small, the famous 1970s British drama series about a veterinary practice was set.
Just below Askrigg is the Aysgarth Falls, with its triple flight of steps the most popular spot to view the River Ure as it drops ninety feet through lower Wensleydale.
Tan Hill: Britain's Highest Inn
A fourteen mile journey north through Swaledale to the Tan Hill Inn takes you to the edge of the national park, with Swaledale meeting Arkengarthdale and the Yorkshire-Cumbria county border nearby.
Tan Hill Inn is Britain’s highest altitude inn at 1732 feet. It also has great views for miles, a warm cosy interior, local beers, tasty food, a big TV screen and lots of animals.
The inn runs a bed and breakfast, has a barn to bed down in, and also allows camping in the grounds.
Nine Standards of Rigg
A rugged but scenic three or four hour hike from the Tan Hill Inn is the Nine Standards of Rigg: nine giant stone cairns whose origin is unknown.
They sit atop an 1800 feet hill with views to the Lake District fells above and the Pennines below.
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