Kings Arms Hotel, Leyburn

On my previous day's visit to West Yorkshire, my favourite pub of the day was the last pub. However, my favourite in North Yorkshire was this, my first stop on a trip across the Dales. We were hoping that at least one of Askrigg's 3 village pubs would be open before midday on our Saturday visit. Sadly, none of them were. So, we contented ourselves on a stroll around the parish church before heading back to the Kings Arms. Walking through the entrance gateway, we were met by quite a strong smell of wood smoke emanating from a couple of real fires inside. Indeed the fireplace in the main bar is quite a grand affair with a large painting of a local society above it. What looked like butchers hooks line the ceiling (although the previous reviewer is probably correct) and the walls show pictures from the All Creatures Great And Small series, as the pub featured in them as the Drovers Arms. Other rooms include a dining room at the front and a games room at the rear. Beers are mainly from the local Yorkshire Dales Brewery - Askrigg Ale, King's Blonde & Drovers Arms. Theakston Best Bitter & Old Peculier were also on. Just a couple of other customers (both drinkers at the bar) were in throughout the duration of our visit. However, I guess these village pubs earn much of their revenue in the busy summer months. Wifi was available. A lovely pub in a great Dales village that is well worth a visit.

As described earlier,this is a comfortable stonebuilt former coaching inn in a solid stonebuilt Dales village,largely focusing on dining, but with two welcoming bars and a games room in the former cellars.The collection of hooks hanging from the bar ceiling hints to a past life as a stables. Flag stone floor,impressive open fire,pictures of local worthies, and a shrine to All Creatures Great and Small,On the bar, in addition to Theakston's and Black Sheep, three house beers from the local and noted Yorkshire Dales Brewery-a Blonde, a dark 'un and a Bitter. On our late October lunchtime visit,the Blonde won the laurels. Substantial meals, and a friendly landlady.