The Moorcock Inn, Sedbergh

One of the most isolated pubs that I know, on the main road from Hawes to Sedbergh in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. So remote, indeed, that they were due to film scenes for a new production of Wuthering Heights. “Too much Japanese script on the signs in Haworth”the barman informed me with much pride. A typical Dales stone built house, the pub stands at the junction of the road from Kirkby Stephen, relatively close to Garsdale station and the famous Dandrymire viaduct on the Settle to Carlisle line. Inside, the decoration could be described as bohemian, especially so on our visit, when things were enlivened by the ghosties and whimsies of Halloween. The landlady was away, but her parents were holding the fort admirably,attending to a few locals and walkers. I was excited to see Scotts 1816 from my beloved Copper Dragon Brewery, together with Bitters from Theakstons and Black Sheep. Adding to the seasonal mood was Hobgoblin from Wychwood.The food that lunchtime was good and hearty: I had a proper Yorkshire pudding filled with game stew, complete with chestnuts. The gentlemen of our party were highly amused by the condom machine: alongside the weekend essentials was a slot dispensing tictac mints. Excellent pub, in grand walking and train watching country.

Simply superb in every way.