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The Red Lion - Burnsall

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Stunning pub-with-rooms in the Yorkshire Dales

Deep in the heart of Wharfedale, part of the gorgeous Yorkshire Dales, is the pretty village of Burnsall, where time appears to have stood still. Nestling cosily under the dramatic Burnsall Fell and looped by the sleepy River Wharfe, the stone cottages and beautiful five-arch bridge are picture-book perfect.

In the middle of all of this is the village pub, which, in true Yorkshire tradition, is as welcoming a place as you could hope for. But this is no place for spit n’ sawdust – The Red Lion has become a cosy, yet luxurious bolthole for guests and locals alike. The smart bar, traditionally paneled and floored with oak, is a popular place to grab a locally-brewed ale or sample some of the Lion’s award-winning food, while the cosy restaurant is perfect for a romantic meal a deux.

The inn’s bedrooms are stylish, yet squishy, with comfy beds, sumptuous soft furnishings, gleaming en-suite bathrooms and glorious views of the village and the fells beyond. Modern tastes are well catered for, with DVD and CD players, Molton Brown toiletries and fluffy dressing gowns, while some rooms even have their own log fires – you can’t get cosier than that.


Elsewhere in the village, a two-second walk from the pub, is The Manor House, owned by the Red Lion and offering identically gorgeous bedrooms and comforts. The views from here are similarly spectacular and spot on for that ‘rural chic’ retreat.

Where is it?

Burnsall is perfect for walkers, with the Dales Way running right through the village. It’s pleasingly secluded, away from many of the Dales’ tourist traps, and surrounded on all sides by dramatic Wharfedale scenery. The pretty River Wharfe, which runs around Burnsall, is also great for fishing – The Red Lion offers private fishing for guests on its own stretch.

If you fancy an adventure on foot, a good place to aim for is Troller’s Gill, a sinister little ravine two miles from Burnsall. Legend has it that this narrow limestone gorge is the haunt of Scandinavian trolls, evil bloodsucking gnomes, flesh-eating boggarts, hideous gargoyle-like rock sprites, deranged goblins, predatory pixies and maliciously twisted imps, all of whom are supposed to have a fondness for hurling rocks at passing strangers. Think Leicester Square on a Friday night... Other walks might take you to the magical ruins of Bolton Abbey, a favourite with the Brontes, the dramatic peak of Simon’s Seat or the improbably cute village of Appletreewick. If you’re craving civilisation, the pretty town of Grassington is a ten minute drive from The Red Lion, a bustling haven of cobbled streets, speciality shops, country clothes emporiums, galleries, tea shops and restaurants.

Or you could venture a little further to the impressive market town of Skipton – ‘the gateway to the Dales’. Watched over by its famous 11th century castle, Skipton has loads going on, from great, boutique-y shopping to a cruise on the Leeds to Liverpool canal (www.canaltrips.co.uk Tel: 01756 790829), or a ride on a steam train to Bolton Abbey (www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk Tel: 01756 710614).

Where can I eat?

The award-winning menus at The Red Lion are fantastic, and offer enough variety to keep you going all weekend. The restaurant menu includes local produce wherever possible to keep things fresh and vibrant – locally-shot woodpigeon and Wharfedale lamb are just two specialities. In the bar, lunchtime brings some real pub classics, including a superb ploughmans, and in the evening you can sample The Red Lion’s take on comfort eating, with shepherd’s pie made with local lamb and crispy pork belly with Yorkshire black pudding and apple sauce. Yum.

If you fancy a trip out, Skipton has a healthy selection of restaurants, including Le Caveau (www.lecaveau.co.uk Tel: 01756 794274), a tiny restaurant down a small flight of stone steps in what was once a town gaol. As its name suggests, French dishes are a speciality, sitting happily alongside local British counterparts and an extensive wine list. But it’s the romantic, candlelit setting that is really special.

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In the middle of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales is this luxury pub-with-rooms, which, in true Yorkshire tradition, are as welcoming a place as you could hope for.