At the Blue Lion we take dining seriously and for customers to enjoy our food is certainly our main aim. Surrounded by the splendour of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and nestled in the heart of iconic Wensleydale the historic 18th century The Blue Lion encapsulates the finest elements of traditional rural England.
After rumbling across the original cobbled driveway, enter the Inn and relax in our homely surroundings. Warm up beside our roaring log fires in one of North Yorkshire's most iconic pubs, before collecting your cricket ball key to one of our fifteen bedrooms. If a shorter visit is more for you, then unwind with a newspaper and enjoy a sumptuous meal from the chalked up menu boards or pop in for lunch/dinner on a day out exploring.
After rumbling across the original cobbled driveway, enter the Inn and relax in our homely surroundings. Warm up beside our roaring log fires in one of North Yorkshire's most iconic pubs, before collecting your cricket ball key to one of our fifteen bedrooms. If a shorter visit is more for you, then unwind with a newspaper and enjoy a sumptuous meal from the chalked up menu boards or pop in for lunch/dinner on a day out exploring.
Services
The Blue Lion was originally built as a shooting lodge and evolved into a coaching inn around 1840. The hotel was run by the same family for 3 generations from 1856 to 1989, until the previous landlady (Bessie Fletcher) died.
Bessie Fletcher's reputation was well known around Wensleydale, with beer being served in a jug straight from the barrel in a back room - although only available Monday to Saturday (that was if she liked the look of you!), as on Sundays, Bessie was the organist at the parish church and the pub was closed - no exceptions!Paul and Helen Klein took over the Blue Lion in 1990 to make it what it is today, including installing its first bar!
Bessie Fletcher's reputation was well known around Wensleydale, with beer being served in a jug straight from the barrel in a back room - although only available Monday to Saturday (that was if she liked the look of you!), as on Sundays, Bessie was the organist at the parish church and the pub was closed - no exceptions!Paul and Helen Klein took over the Blue Lion in 1990 to make it what it is today, including installing its first bar!
There are fifteen English country-styled rooms at The Blue Lion, all a testament to the original character of this Yorkshire Inn. Both of these rooms have double beds, with the rooms positioned at the rear of the Inn, one with views across Wensleydale. Whilst they are our smallest rooms, they are both homely for a relaxing stay.
At the Blue Lion we take dining seriously and for customers to enjoy our food is certainly our main aim. You'll be spoilt for choice by the Blue Lion's freshly prepared seasonal menu that sources the best Yorkshire produce to be found -we've been lucky enough to win the Dining Pub of the Year Award three times.
From the foothills of the Austrian Alps to the classic Loire Valley, we've got the perfect accompaniment to any meal or just as a celebratory treat. We're proud of our vast selection of wines, many of which you'll have heard, some of which you won't! Pop in for a glass, maybe two or a bottle - it's good to share!
We have two dining rooms, with their log fires and candle lit atmosphere, which between them offer very flexible seating options for weddings, anniversaries, family gatherings, birthday celebrations or business events. Our wonderful chef Jon and his team can create a delightful feast whatever your occasion.
Reviews (11)
Hollie Shepherd
Jan 01, 2022
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Fab place!
Great location for local walks. Room was lovely, clean, bright had lovely beams & with everything you needed. (We stayed in the garden room) and very reasonably priced for the standard.
The restaurant was like stepping back in time almost, candle lit room, log burning fire, staff in traditional black and white with waistcoats and bow ties.
Staff lovely - the main guy was eccentric, possibly with a foreign twang I’ve seen review saying he was rude he really was not!’ Very reserved but happy to do anything for you. He can also make a smashing espresso martini which wasn’t on the
Great location for local walks. Room was lovely, clean, bright had lovely beams & with everything you needed. (We stayed in the garden room) and very reasonably priced for the standard.
The restaurant was like stepping back in time almost, candle lit room, log burning fire, staff in traditional black and white with waistcoats and bow ties.
Staff lovely - the main guy was eccentric, possibly with a foreign twang I’ve seen review saying he was rude he really was not!’ Very reserved but happy to do anything for you. He can also make a smashing espresso martini which wasn’t on the
Craig Thompson
Dec 21, 2021
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Lovely staff and the room we stayed in was really nice. If you want proper pub grub or your more normal type food, at reasonable prices then this isn't the place for you. If you don't mind then you'll love it, food is always well presented and served nicely.
Otherwise, the location is a great base for exploring what is, in my opinion, the most beautiful part of the world.
Otherwise, the location is a great base for exploring what is, in my opinion, the most beautiful part of the world.
Kev Sampson
Nov 24, 2021
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Lesley Whitley
Nov 22, 2021
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The service was excellent.
I ordered a half cloudy cider and it was so nice I ordered a pint the next round.
Our party of four had a variety of main courses Duck, Beef, Pork and I had the Lamb.
All were delicious and beautifully presented.
The desserts were white chocolate and raspberry Bread and butter pudding.
Green apple souffle,Creme Brulee and I had Sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.
We all finished off with coffee which was hot and strong.
Above average prices but ideal for a special occasion.
The scenery on the drive there was stunning
I ordered a half cloudy cider and it was so nice I ordered a pint the next round.
Our party of four had a variety of main courses Duck, Beef, Pork and I had the Lamb.
All were delicious and beautifully presented.
The desserts were white chocolate and raspberry Bread and butter pudding.
Green apple souffle,Creme Brulee and I had Sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.
We all finished off with coffee which was hot and strong.
Above average prices but ideal for a special occasion.
The scenery on the drive there was stunning
Anita
Sep 26, 2021
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Thé blue lion is extremely friendly, it carries authenticity naturally and we had a lovely stay there. We would recommend an overnight stay and eating dinner there, booking is necessary - the choice was very varied and the service exemplary, we will be back and thank you for making our stay really lovely
Anita and Ivan
Anita and Ivan
Julie Douglas
Sep 25, 2021
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John Do
Sep 21, 2021
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The most brilliant lunch. Blue Lion provided details of a short walk before eating and then we sat outside in the September sunshine for an excellent meal. The twice baked Wensleydale souffle was a sublime treat and the queen scallops baked in gruyere mouth watering.The pork belly and duck dishes were equally succulent and delicious. Some days live in the memory for a long time. This will be one of them.
Alastair
Aug 14, 2021
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Ann Roberts
Jul 31, 2021
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Meal for 2. We booked hoping for the restaurant which is closed. We found the bar seating very uncomfortable, upright hard church pews not conducive to our comfort at all, poor seat padding. The meals were very good, fillet steak was a special option & was fabulous. A very varied choice of wines but expensive. We paid £125 for 3 courses & 2 rounds of wine/pint of bitter, which is what we pay at our local Michelin 1 starred restaurant. One member of staff seems overly officious, it is a pub after all, all other staff friendly & efficient.
Victoria North
Jul 30, 2021
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Laura B.
Dec 23, 2018
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21 Dec Friday night oh wow This is a superb village and hotel the menu is outstanding huge selection I mean huge
Carpaccio to start with was so soft and tasty like a cloud pomegranate sprinkled just beautif
husband had carbonara glistening with sauce just beautif ( running out of adjectives )
my main was smoked haddock in a light cheesy sauce with artichokes and sliced new potatoes and a perfect poached eg omg went very well with the new Zealand cab sauv mmmmm
no dessert just too full was awesome bill came to £82 well worth every penny
Carpaccio to start with was so soft and tasty like a cloud pomegranate sprinkled just beautif
husband had carbonara glistening with sauce just beautif ( running out of adjectives )
my main was smoked haddock in a light cheesy sauce with artichokes and sliced new potatoes and a perfect poached eg omg went very well with the new Zealand cab sauv mmmmm
no dessert just too full was awesome bill came to £82 well worth every penny
