The Green Dragon at Hardraw’s leaseholders, Chris Robinson and Ann Rennoldson, informed the building’s owner, local businessman Mark Thompson, on August 29 that they were ceasing to trade.

The pub appears as The Drovers Arms in the most recent series of All Creatures Great and Small.

The Green Dragon dates back to the 13th century and is known for its well-preserved Georgian interiors, which were chosen by Channel Five location scouts for their authenticity. It sits beside Hardraw Force waterfalls and visitor centre, which Mr Thompson, who ran the pub until 2016, also owns.

Mr Robinson and Ms Rennoldson were first-time publicans who took over The Green Dragon in spring 2021, following a period when it had been open only intermittently under the previous tenant.

The couple told The Yorkshire Post that they had committed to opening seven days a week to get locals back on side and began renovating the pub’s accommodation and function room – it has capacity to sleep 80 guests in a series of en-suite rooms, 'bunkhouse' dormitories and self-contained apartments.

They had succeeded in attracting motorcycle clubs and classic car rallies to stop at The Green Dragon, had rejuvenated traditional music nights and were hoping to capitalise on red squirrel sightings in the car park.

However, they had struggled to recruit staff and last autumn were only able to operate at 50 per cent capacity, despite being able to offer live-in accommodation.

The Green Dragon at Hardraw: Yorkshire Dales pub which appears in All Creatures Great and Small closes suddenly