05/12/24 - Yarnbury Mines, Hebden Beck for the Grassington Pubs

Christmas Cake.... with Cheese

Day 2 in North Yorkshire and another cracking half day walk.

We leave Grassington Civilisation to head upwards, discovering iron age ruins and the location of the original village.

Today's Playground

Yomping on to Yarnbury

Yes, a slight navigational error was made. I should have been further west, but we got a feel for the ancient field systems and we arrived where we needed to be. Yarnbury, for a quite delightful beck-side drop through the mine workings.

Easy navigation home

One small problem.... the overnight rain has the beck in spate. We were meant to cross at stepping stones, which are just about visible under 9" of water. As ever, the trail will provide.

Unorthodox

Too early for the Clarendon Pub in Hebden but only a couple of miles along High Lane to re-enter Grassington.

A tea-shop sounds about right. Christmas Cake sounds like an accompaniment treat. Being asked if I would like a slice a Wensleydale reminds me why this is God's Country.

Now Then..... Tea, with a Chef's Swoosh

But we read the blog for the pubs, I hear a couple of blogfans cry? Well, I've been and blogged before but here is last night's summary, with this morning's photos.

The Devonshire is a posh Timothy Taylors gastropub. When busy, it feels great. When quiet a little soulless. The beer is perfectly kept and Bolt Maker is now edging it in their range for me.

The Devonshire

The Black Horse Hotel is now in the Good Beer Guide (as is the Foresters), providing an unexpected tick. Black Sheep House, and the seasonal Blitzen was in fine condition. They have a special on the food menu. Roast Turkey and all the trimmings with Christmas Pudding to follow. I ask for the Christmas Fayre and the waitress responds with "what, like a circus?". Apparently, Christmas Fayres are not national. Good food, good service, good beer and lovely internal Christmas decorations.

Fayre Enough

We expected The Foresters to be closed, having spotted on Facebook that the long term patrons had held a leaving party last week. The new management team are already in. The earthiest pub in Grassington and filled with proper pub goers. The Landlord was still £5.40 a pint.

'Ow Much! I believe the correct response to be.

Earthy Pubness

Walk Details

Distance - 6 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Mark Reid's Walking Weekends in the Yorkshire Dales, Walk 10

Geocaches - 2

04/12/24 - River Wharfe, from Grassington to Burnsall

Return to the First Inn Way Finale

It's good to be back in this part of the world. 8, nearly 9 years since I completed my first Inn Way (to the Yorkshire Dales) at the Fountaine Inn, Linton. The exact place where this walk - from Mark Reid's Walking Weekends - also finishes.

An easy out ramble along the River Wharfe. 

Linton Mill

River Wharfe

Loup Scar

Burnsall Bridge - the head back point

The Red Lion strategically place next to the bridge, and thankfully a pre-midday opener. A decent Dark Horse Brewery, Hetton Pale Abbey the reward.

Such handsome, solid pubs in this part of the world

The return is across ancient field systems for an all body work out. So many walls, with stone stiles and little swing gates to cross.

Yorkshire Adventure Playground

Linton, with the Fountaine Inn, provides the next stop - a mere half a mile from Grassington. Move on to the Craven Bitter from Dark Horse for liquid symmetry. 

Lovely to see the Inn Way sign still resplendent on the outside of the pub. Apparently, one of the few with the book stamp clicker still attached.

From Fontaines DC to Fountaine Inn

Number 26.... and the end of an odyssey

Walk Details

Distance - 8.5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Mark Reid's Walking Weekends in the Yorkshire Dales, walk 9 

Geocaches - 1