Pub of the week: The Old Hill, Chapel-le-Dale.

MORE than any other pub in Yorkshire, the Old Hill Inn’s customers arrive with walking boots, trekking poles and rucksacks, or they are mountain-bikers or potholers or paragliders in need of refreshment after a long day of exertions, or perhaps people supporting walkers or runners who are doing The Three Peaks.

Its location at the hamlet of Chapel-le-Dale is faultless, with table-topped Ingleborough as the backdrop and Whernside, Yorkshire’s highest mountain, overlooked at the front.

Originally a farmhouse, the earliest part of the building dates back to 1615 and at some point it became a drover’s inn for shepherds bringing sheep and cattle along the B6255 connecting Ingleton with Hawes.

You can tell it’s been extended several times over the last 150 years as roads improved and its food, drink and shelter became more in demand. The most famous guest is said to be Winston Churchill.

The bar is solidly built from exposed limestone and venerable timber, which may sound spartan, but after a long walk the Hill Inn is as comfortable as you could wish for, especially on a chill autumn or winter evening when the wood burning stove exudes a warm glow and chef Colin Martin’s great food is being served.

A quirky feature is the fine porcelain-like sugar sculptures Colin labours over when not sending out plates of homemade soups, casseroles, steaks and more exotic dishes.

His wife Sabina looks after the front-of-house duties, serving pints of beer from Dent Brewery, Black Sheep, Theakstons and Timothy Taylors and answering questions from walkers on the best routes around the Old Hill Inn.

THE VERDICT

Welcome*****

Drinks selection***

Atmosphere*****

Food****

Prices***