THE INN WAY - the Ultimate Pub Walks

ITV WALK - Breath of Fresh Air

2012-01-18T08:18:00.000-08:00

ITV WALK - Breath of Fresh Air

with Mark Reid & Jon Mitchell

We filmed our latest ITV Yorkshire walk this week, around the beautiful valleys of the Yorkshire Wolds. We started at the village of Thixendale, and then followed the Wolds Way to Wharram Percy via Water Dale, Back Dale and Deep Dale. After exploring this fascinating deserted medieval village, we followed the Centenary Way back via Court Dale.

These dry, grassy valleys are supremely beautiful and wonderfully quiet, whilst the Cross Keys at Thixendale at the end of the walk was wonderfully warm with its log fire.

This walk will be shown on ITV Yorkshire at 6pm this Friday, 20th January 2012.

Or click here to view it after this date http://www.innway.co.uk/itv-yorkshire-walks-a-breath-of-fresh-air.html

Tripsdale, North York Moors

2012-01-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

Northern Echo walk
Tripsdale, North York Moors

Went out for a superb winter's walk yesterday to secluded Tripsdale, a side-valley off Bilsdale near Chop Gate.

From Chop Gate, a brisk climb leads up from William Beck Farm onto Nab Ridge, where they were burning the heather. From there, a tracks leads along the ridge before descending past the Bride Stones then round into hidden Tripsdale. This is a superb and dramatic valley, with crags and cliffs, thick woodland and a vast expanse of heather moorland. The setting sun was particularly good from the top of this moorland, with a classic Mackerel Sky (not long dry), as proved to be the case.

To view this walk in the Northern Echo, click here (available to view between 19th & 26th January 2012). www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/

What's your New Year resolution?

2012-01-03T13:49:00.000-08:00

What's your New Year resolution?

Spend more time here...

Or here?

Discover the Great Outdoors in 2012 with TeamWalking

Wild Camping weekends
Mountaineering weekends
Navigation Skills weekend courses
'The Inn Way' guided walks
Corporate Team Building & Away Days

plus much more...

TeamWalking website

Craven Arms, Appletreewick

2011-11-28T03:37:00.000-08:00

Walkers' Pub Review
Craven Arms, Appletreewick

published in the Yorkshire Post 26/11/11

Read my review HERE

To find out more about my 'Inn Way' walking books - the Ultimate Pub Walks - visit HERE

Crafts for Christmas - Yorkshire Showground

2011-11-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

Crafts for Christmas - Yorkshire Showground

Just to let you know that I will be at the Crafts for Christmas fair at the Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate this weekend (Thursday 9th - Sunday12th November), where I will have a stand with my Inn Way and Walking Weekends books.

If you visit the fair, then pop by and say hello...

Cheers,

Mark Reid

Howgill Fells - map and navigation skills

2011-10-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

NNAS Silver award
Navigation skills weekend in the Howgill Fells.

The Howgill Fells are a superb range of hills that are perfect for walking. We also included 2-hours of night navigation at the end of the walk (poor visibility) to help focus the skills learnt over the day.

Based the course from the Black Swan at Ravenstonedale - great pub.

If you are looking to improve your map, compass, navigation and hill skills then we offer the complete skills courses for walkers! http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/navigation-skills-courses.html

1-day Navigation Skills - Malham

2011-10-13T04:22:00.000-07:00

1-day Navigation Skills course
Malham, Yorkshire Dales

Mark Reid held a 1-day Navigation Skills course at Malham yesterday. It was a very wet and exciting day with the streams and rivers in spate, several bridges and paths impassable and the waterfalls in spectacular full force. Our route took in Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove.

If you are interested in attending a navigation skills or map reading course, visit here

ITV Walk - Upper Wharfedale

2011-10-13T04:18:00.000-07:00

ITV Yorkshire - Walk of the Month
Upper Wharfedale

Mark Reid and ITV Yorkshire's weatherman Jon Mitchell recently explored the upper reaches of Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales, and the three pubs along the way!

Watch the TV walk here

Stag and Hen Parties with a difference

2011-10-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

Stag & Hen Parties with a difference

Do you know someone who is trying to organise a stag or hen party, but are stuck for ideas?

Perhaps they want something different from the usual pub crawl and nightclub?

We now offer a range of fantastic weekends:

Hill-Walking
Mountaineering
Wild Camping
Pub Walks

Click here for more details

Wild Camp expedition - Coniston Fells

2011-09-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Wild Camping Expedition

Coniston Fells, Lake District

17th & 18th September 2011

2-day wild camping expedition across the Coniston Fells, with a wild camp beside Blind Tarn. There were 4 people on this expedition - Mark Reid (Mountain Leader), Bill, Jason and Mark.

ROUTE - Day One

Coniston, Miners Bridge, Boulder Valley, Levers Water, Brim Fell Rake, Old Man of Coniston, Goat's Hause, Goat's Water and Blind Tarn. Wild Camped at Blind Tarn

ROUTE - Day Two
Brown Pike, Buck Pike, Dow Crag, Goat's Hause, Black Crag, Levers Hause, Swirl How, Prison Band, Levers Water and the Coppermines Valley.

The weather on Saturday was pretty grim - persistent rain, with some heavy downpours and a very heavy hailstorm as we reached the summit of the Old Man. The paths becamse streams and the streams were in spate. We set up camp at 6pm in the rain, and then didn't leave our tents until the next morning. However, Sunday was a different story, with a magnificent dawn....

DAY ONE
Boulder Valley - I only took one photo on the first day, as it poured down all day.

DAY TWO

Blind Tarn - dawn breaks...

Climbing Dow Crag

Goat's Hause, looking back towards Dow Crag

Summit of Swirl How

Back down towards Levers Water

TeamWalking - Wild Camping Expeditions

Would you like to try wild camping?
Don't have the right kit, or worried about how to do it?
Looking to improve your mountain skills?

We offer 2-day wild camping expeditions with Mark Reid (author of 'The Inn Way' guidebooks and experienced Mountain Leader). Not only do we take you on a 2-day mountain expedition, but we also supply all camp kit and camp food, including tents, sleep-mats, stoves, waterproofs etc.

Improve your mountain skills, learn camp craft, explore the mountains in confidence and get out of your comfort zone!

Visit our website for more details

Our next wild camping expeditions are:

8th & 9th October 2011 - Patterdale
27th & 28th October 2011 - Great Langdale

Breath of Fresh Air - ITV walk

2011-09-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

Breath of Fresh Air
ITV Yorkshire walk

Filmed my latest walk around Upper Wharfedale with Jon Mitchell, ITV Yorkshire's weatherman. We did the classic 'round' taking in Hubberholme, Scar House, Cray and Buckden Rake.

This TV walk should be shown on ITV Yorkshire in early October

To view the Breath of Fresh Air walks archive, visit my website

NetWalking - next event 5th October 2011

2011-09-15T04:14:00.000-07:00

netwalking
http://www.netwalkinguk.com/

The inspirational way to grow your business

As featured in Yorkshire Life magazine
Read the article here

"...now imagine you are barefoot on a mossy hillside with sheep milling about aimlessly around you, skylarks leading each other a merry dance above your head and undulating acres of Yorkshire’s northern-most dale laid out before you"

NetWalking is the inspriational way to grow your business. Enjoy tea/coffee and bacon sandwiches when we meet in the morning, followed by a full morning's hill-walk with Mark Reid, author of 'The Inn Way' guidebooks and Mountain Leader, followed by a delicious lunch of soup & sandwiches at the fabulous Inn at Hawnby. All this for ONLY £39 per person!

NEXT NETWALK
5th October 2011
Inn at Hawnby, North York Moors

WHO'S ATTENDING

Investment Advisor
Travel & Tourism
Accountants
Bespoke Interior & Event Design
Corporate Team Building & Activity Days
Insurance Broker
Print, Mailing & Fulfilment
Alternative Board

PAY ONLINE
click here

LINKEDIN
Have you joined yet? Network with 50 other business people on LinkedIn
click here

VISIT OUT WEBSITE

NetWalking

Boots and Beer Walking Festival 2011

2011-09-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

Boots and Beer Walking Festival
9th - 11th September 2011
Wensleydale, Yorkshire Dales

Boots and Beer Walking Festival last weekend, with the Yorkshire Dales at their blustery best!

400 walkers, 15 superb walks and 20 great pubs.

13 out of the 15 walks were self-guided with checkpoints (and pubs) along the way (all of the routes were researched by me). I took a guided walk on a 'moorland navigation day' on Friday up onto Drumaldrace and then I took another group over Great Shunner Fell to the Farmers Arms at Muker on Saturday. Roll on next year!

TeamWalking now on FACEBOOK

2011-09-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

TeamWalking now on FACEBOOK

Updated regularly with photos from navigation courses, events and courses, as well as updates as to availability on our courses.

Navigation Skills
Outdoor Experiences
Adventure Days
Corporate Team Building
Guided Walks

Navigation Skills weekend - Osmotherley

2011-08-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

Navigation Skills weekend - Osmotherley
20th & 21st August 2011

National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) - Bronze Award

TeamWalking's latest navigation skills weekend was held in the beautiful village of Osmotherley in the North York Moors.

Whether you are a novice or experienced walker, our navigation skills courses will give you the skills to plan your own walks and explore further with confidence.

Benefits:

Learn how to plan and undertake your own walks in the countryside
Feel more confident outdoors
Gain 'skills for life'
Gain a National Award
Our courses are aimed at adults
Enjoyable, informative
Maximum outdoor-based training
Small group sizes
Pub based - sociable courses
Experienced instructors

Feedback from this Osmotherley course

What were your objectives for the weekend? To gain more confidence with a compass.
Were these objectives met? Certainly.
What did you enjoy? I enjoyed the whole experience, meeting like minded people.
What would you have liked to have been done differently? Nothing it all worked very well due mainly to your patience with us all.
Any further suggestions or comments? None.

Further information
We have courses in September, October and November in the Yorkshire Dales. For more information visit: http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/navigation-skills-courses/navigation-skills.html

Photos from the Osmotherley course

TeamWalking autumn 2011 BROCHURE

2011-08-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

Autumn 2011 Brochure

now available

download here: http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/Brochure.html

Get outdoors this autumn, with TeamWalking

Wild Camping - Lake District

2011-08-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

Wild Camping - Lake District
7th & 8th August 2011

Eskdale, Lake District

Just returned from a 2-day wild camping trip in the Lake District. Unfortunately, the weather was worse than forecast and so the original plan of climbing Scafell had to be curtailed somewhat! We walked from the Woolpack Inn at Boot up onto Eskdale Moor, passing old peat huts along the way - peat was used as a fuel in Eskdale until the mid 20th Century. We then explored the prehistoric stone circles on Eskdale Moor before heading over to Burnmoor Tarn (and the eerie Burnmoor Lodge), where we had a brew. We then set off to climb up onto the lower southern flanks of Scafell to pitch our tents, but as we were climbing up onto Great How, the weather came in with heavy rain, strong winds and 50 metre visibility. We decided to head back down to lower ground below the cloud base to pitch our tents, in a more sheltered spot on the vast expanse of Eskdale Moor.

As the weather was still bad the next morning, we then headed back down to Boot via Eel Tarn.

TEAMWALKING WILD CAMPING TRIPS
http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/mountain-expeditions-wild-camping.html

Nine Standards Rigg and High Seat

2011-07-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

Nine Standards Rigg and High Seat

View my latest walk to the summit of Nine Standards Rigg (662m) and High Seat (709m)

VISIT WEBSITE

WILD CAMPING TRIPS - this summer and autumn

2011-07-21T03:41:00.000-07:00

WILD CAMPING - Lake District

Watch the sunset and sunrise across the Lakeland mountains.

2-day journey through Lakeland, with a 'wild camp' up on the mountains. A simple concept that offers rich rewards...

Explore the Lake District like never before with a Mountain Leader

Perfect for

Group of friends - a weekend away with a difference
Father & son "away time" together in the Great Outdoors
Getting away from it all and "out of your confort zone"
Personal development & achievement
Improving your navigation skills and hill-craft
Gaining knowledge and skills for wild camping

Explore the mountains in confidence with Mark Reid, author of 'The Inn Way' guidebooks and qualified Mountain Leader.

Choice of 1 or 2-person backpacking tents
Start from a Lakeland village, with parking, pub and accommodation
We will walk around 8 miles per day, with plenty of rest stops.
Camp kit and food provided (except boots and sleeping bag)

Choice of dates and locations throughout the Lakes, including Patterdale, Borrowdale, Eskdale, Glenridding and Great Langdale.

http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/outdoor-experiences/mountain-expeditions-wild-camping.html

'The Inn Way' walking experience - June 2011

2011-07-01T04:36:00.000-07:00

'The Inn Way' walking experience

A historical journey of exploration in the Yorkshire Dales

23rd & 24th June 2011

In late June, I guided a wonderful group of people along Stages 3 & 4 of 'The Inn Way... to the Yorkshire Dales'

DAY ONE

From the Kings Arms at Askrigg, we climbed up onto Askrigg Moor before dropping down through Oxnop Ghyll to Ivelet Bridge, where we looked at the old coffin stone and talked about the legends associated with this ancient packhorse bridge. The haymeadows were in full bloom as we walked across fields to Gunnerside and lunch at the Kings Head (superb food). The afternoon saw us walk across more meadows, then past a spectacular waterfall along Haverdale Beck before climbing up onto Harkerside, with beautiful retrospective views across Swaledale. The final section of the walk took us alongside the Swale to Grinton, where we stayed at the Bridge Inn - great food and beer! The day's weather was a mixture of sharp showers and sunny spells.

DAY TWO

From Grinton, we climbed up across Grinton Moor, through old lead mines to reach Greets Hill, from where a track took us into hidden Apedale and the shooters' hut at Dent's Houses (complete with visitor's book). The sun was now shining so we did some barefoot walking across the moors. A slight incline took us up onto Black Hill and then a long descent, with wonderful views across Wensleydale, to the incredible fortress of Bolton Castle. After refreshements, delightful field paths took us to Carperby (Wheatsheaf Inn) and then along Oxclose Road (the old road through Wensleydale) to Woodhall and Worton, where we had a final drink at the legendary Victoria Arms before crossing a couple of fields back to Askrigg. A wonderful day of warm sunshine.

We walked around 14 miles each day and managed to visit five pubs.

Thanks to Mark, Tony, Marie, Linda, Terry, Tony, Brian and Jo for joining me on this walk.

Why not book onto our next guided walk in the Lake District?

'The Inn Way' walking experience
15th & 16th September 2011

A historical journey of exploration in the Lake District
www.teamwalking.co.uk/inn-way-walking-experience.html

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT MARK REID 2011

Canadian Gold Medal Plates

2011-06-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

An Olympic Gold Medal Winner, a Comedian & 40 Canadians visit the Yorkshire Dales

Mark Reid ('The Inn Way' author & Mountain Leader) and Richard Tarran (Expedition & Mountain Leader) hosted 40 Canadian guests for a week's hill-walking throughout the Yorkshire Dales at the beginning of June.

The Canadians had bid for this trip at special gala dinners throughout Canada last autumn to support their Olympic athletes. Accompanying them was well-known Canadian comedian Ron James and 2010 Winter Olympics Men's skeleton Gold Medal winner Jon Montgomery.

We had a fantastic week of great walks, food, accommodation, beer and laughter. We stayed for three nights at the CB Inn (Arkengarthdale) and three nights at Simonstone Hall, and walked around Muker, Reeth, Great Shunner Fell and Askrigg. We also visited several pubs to sample some local ales...

TeamWalking
Would you like us to organise a bespoke walking event for you, your friends or your company? We know the paths and pubs of the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Peak District and North York Moors like the back of our hands! Visit http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/ for more information

Farmers Arms, Muker

Fremington Edge, Arkengarthdale

Mark Reid (L) with Jon Montgomery (R)

Red Lion, Langthwaite

Muker, Swaledale

Roman Road, Wensleydale

Crackpot Hall, Upper Swaledale

Mark Reid - ITV 'The Dales'

2011-06-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

Mark Reid, author of The Inn Way, featured on ITV's The Dales on Monday 6th June.

Mark Reid, 'The Inn Way' author and Mountain Leader, met Jackie Stubbs, landlady of the George & Dragon pub at Hudswell, last summer and then took Jackie's mum Margaret for a day's walk from the pub to Richmond and back. We enjoyed lunch sat beside the river beneath the castle ramparts at Richmond, and then walked back along the riverside path through Hudswell Woods before climbing the infamous steps back up to the village!

This walk was screened on ITV1 on the 6th June. ITV 'The Dales' website

Read about it in Country Walking magazine (May 2011)

Visit Mark Reid's website The Inn Way

Financial Times Travel Feature

2011-06-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

The Inn Way... to the English Lake District

Financial Times

1-page travel feature - Saturday 4th June 2011

"I stumbled lonely as a cloud"

Read Tim Moore's feature about walking Stages 1 & 2 of 'The Inn Way' here: Financial Times website

WALK THIS ROUTE WITH MARK REID
15th / 16th September 2011
Ambleside - Rosthwaite - Braithwaite

2-day guided walk with Mark Reid along Stage 1 & 2 of 'The Inn Way' (as featured in the Financial Times).

Includes:

2-days guided walk with Mark Reid (Mountain Leader)
Tea/coffee when we meet on Monday morning
Signed copy of 'The Inn Way... to the English Lake District'
Bus transfer back to Ambleside at the end of the walk
Use of our Berghaus gear, if required

Numbers strictly limited to 12, over 18s only.

BOOK NOW

Mountain Expeditions, wild camping, 'The Inn Way' walks

2011-06-02T02:16:00.000-07:00

NEW - Outdoor Experiences for summer 2011

Mountain Expeditions, wild camping, 'The Inn Way' walks

TeamWalking website

Choose from:

2-day 'Inn Way' guided walk with Mark Reid - Yorkshire Dales (June)
2-day 'Inn Way' guided walk with Mark Reid - Lake District (Sept)
2-day Mountain Expedition, with wild camp (August & October)
2-day navigation skills courses (NNAS)
Night Navigation Experience

AS FEATURED IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES (The Inn Way to the English Lake District)

ITV Yorkshire Walks - Breath of Fresh Air

2011-05-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

ITV Yorkshire Walks - Breath of Fresh Air
Roseberry Topping

Recently filmed my latest walk for ITV Yorkshire with weatherman Jon Mitchell, which should be screened on Friday 3rd June on ITV Yorkshire's 'Calendar' programme.

We did a superb 6-mile walk from Great Ayton that took in Aireyholme Farm (where Capt Cook grew up), Roseberry Topping and Easby Moor. The weather was superb with great visibility, although very windy.

This is the 21st walk that we have done over the last 3 years in the Yorkshire region. To watch these TV walks, please visit http://www.innway.co.uk/itv-yorkshire-walks-a-breath-of-fresh-air.html

Here's some photos from our walk...

The Inn Way - 2 day walk

2011-05-28T03:12:00.000-07:00

The Inn Way
2-day walk with Mark Reid
23rd & 24th June 2011

Join Mark Reid for a 2-day walk through Wensleydale and Swaledale, along Stages 3 and 4 of The Inn Way... to the Yorkshire Dales.

Spend 2 days walking through the Yorkshire Dales with Mark Reid
Enjoy relaxed pub lunches at traditional Dales inns
Visit unspoilt Dales pubs
Enjoy a game of quoits on the village green
Explore Bolton Castle
Stay overnight at Grinton in Swaledale

ONLY £79 PER PERSON

Price includes:

2-days guided walk with Mark Reid
Baggage transfers
Signed copy of 'The Inn Way'
Tea/coffee when we meet
Game of Quoits on the village green
10% discount off accommodation at Bridge Inn, Grinton (double/twin room)

For further information: http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/inn-way-walking-experience.html

Limited availability. Over 18s only.

Mountain Leader assessment - Plas y Brenin

2011-05-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

Mountain Leader assessment - Plas y Brenin
9th - 13th May 2011

Spent last week at Plas y Brenin (National Mountain Centre) in Snowdonia where I successfully completed my Mountain Leader (summer) assessment.

PYB is a great venue, with top instructors. The week was quite challenging, both physically and mentally, as you had to not only think about group management, the environment, navigation and steep ground but also had to always know precisely where you were on the map.

Monday - micro navigation day on Moel Siabod
Tuesday - steep ground day on the North Ridge of Tryfan
Wednesday to Friday - 3 day expedition on Snowdon, with 2 nights wild camping, as well as emergency ropework.

The weather was a mixture of blustery showers, low cloud and the occasional hail storm.

If you are looking for a guided mountain walk, 2-day wild camping expedition or a corporate team building day in the hills or mountains then get in touch http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/

The Inn Way... to the English Lake District

2011-05-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

The Inn Way...to the English Lake District

NEW 2nd Edition OUT NOW
Completely updated, re-walked and revised, this new edition features more information, text and revised route descriptions (with Grid References) as well as an 8-page colour photograph section.

BUY NOW

This book will soon be featured in the Financial Times... watch this space!

West Coast of Ireland, 8th - 11th April 2011

2011-04-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Connemara, West Coast of Ireland
8th - 11th April 2011

Two days of walking with seven friends: me (Mark), Giles, Chris, Tony, Luke, Nick, Dean and Stuart. A weekend of mountains walks during the day, and Guinness at Matt Molloys bar, Westport in the evening. Perfect.

Glencoaghan Horseshoe, Twelve Bens, Connemara

Challenging walk in the heart of the Twelve Bens mountain range, taking in five peaks including Derryclare, Bencorr (711m), Bencollaghduff (696m), Maumina (563m) and Benbreen (691m). The walk took us almost 8 hours to complete. Although only about 10km in distance, the walk included around 1,500m of ascent. The entire day was spent either climbing up or down rocky mountains, as there are very few flat sections along this walk. The main challenge was steep ground, with several very steep scree runs or rocky scrambles to negotiate. There was also one narrow and steep ridge to descend from Bencollaghduff, as well as a long and steep scree run from Benbreen. We then turned east from the col between Benbreen and Bengower back into Glencoaghan. A superb mountain day. Map and compass essential to ensure the correct line of ascent/descent as the walk is pathless in places and the route is bounded by some serious cliffs.

Glenlaur Horseshoe, Sheeffry Hill, County Mayo

A gentler walk (relatively speaking!) up onto the broad ridge of the Sheeffry Hills in Co Mayo. Parked near Sheeffry Bridge and then walked up into Glenlaur before striking south up onto the col on the southern arm of the horseshoe. Two quite steep climbs then ensued, with a long, flat and quite narrow ridge in between, up onto the broad summit plateau. This plateau is dissected by small streams, ponds and peat hags that was reminiscent of Kinder Scout. No paths whatsoever, so a compass bearing was essential to hit the small cairn that marks the 742m spot height. And what a view from this cairn, with Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay in the distance. From the summit, headed east to reach the brow of the steep and fairly narrow ridge that leads down into a narrow col on its northern arm. Then continued over a slight rise of land before a long and steep descent topick up a stream that took us back into Glenlaur. A total contrast from yesterday's walk - grassy/boggy underfoot, only one major climb and navigationally slightly more difficult because of the sprawling summit plateau.

Photographs copyright Giles Rocholl Photography http://www.gilesrocholl.com

GLENCOAGHAN HORSESHOE

GLENLAUR HORSESHOE

Photographs copyright Giles Rocholl Photography http://www.gilesrocholl.com

Snowdonia Wild Camp

2011-03-31T04:10:00.000-07:00

2-day Expedition - Snowdonia, March 2011

Cwm Eigiau Horseshoe, Carneddau
Wild Camp (summit of Pen Yr Helgi Du)

2-day mountain expedition and wild camp around the Cwm Eigiau Horseshoe.

Route - set off lunchtime Monday; returned lunchtime Tuesday. 2 people (me & Nick).

DAY ONE - Cwm Eigiau car park (SH 732 663). Track to Cedryn, then ascended by old quarry workings onto Pen Llithrig Y Wrach, then followed ridge onto Pen Yr Helgi Du. Wild camped on summit of Pen Yr Helgi Du (830 metres). Warm during day, cold at night. Reasonable visibility, light winds. Rain shower at 5am.

DAY TWO - Bwlch Eryi Farchog (narrow and steep ridge, with some scrambling), Penywaun-Wen, Carnedd Llewelyn (1064 metres) then down into the saddle of Gwaun y Garnedd before striking eastwards across the broad plateau to reach the steep ground above Melynllyn (reservoir). Continued NE across the broad ridge skirting above the crags/outcrops above Llyn Eigiau before descending towards Cerrig Cochlon and back to the parking area.

This is spectacular route through remote mountains with a variety of terrain including moorland, mountain plateau, several mountain summits, narrow ridges (scrambles) and steep, rocky terrain. In poor visibility, precise navigation will be essential to safely find your way, particularly across Carnedd Llewelyn - OS Explorer OL17 and compass essential. The narrow ridge requires a head for heights and would be difficult/dangerous in high winds or poor weather.

When wild camping - wild camping is tolerated in most mountain regions, but follow these simple rules: ask permission to camp (if possible), keep your group size small, camp high (amongst the mountains) above the intake walls and away from paths, pitch late and leave early, protect water supplies, no fires and leave no trace whatsoever.

Fancy a Wild Camping Mountain Expedition as a company team building day? Visit http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/ for more information.

Lake District Wild Camp

2011-03-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

2-day Expedition - Lake District, March 2011
Kentmere Horseshoe, Wild Camp (Small Water)

2-day mountain expedition and wild camp around the Kentmere Horseshoe.

Route - set off lunchtime Monday; returned lunchtime Tuesday. 4 people (me, Chris, Giles and Stu).

DAY ONE - Kentmere, Kentmere Reservoir, Ill Bell NE ridge (very steep in places), Ill Bell, ridge north to High Street, Nan Bield Pass, descend to Small Water for camp (just as it was going dark). Low cloud and dense mist, cool, no rain (damp due to mist) but gusty winds.

DAY TWO - Mardale Ill Bell E ridge (Piot Crag), High Street, Ill Bell ridge all the way to Garburn Pass and return. Decided to re-walk this section as the mist/clouds lifted and we wanted to see the views and also experience this spectacular, long ridge walk.

Fancy a Wild Camping Mountain Expedition as a company team building day? Visit http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/ for more information.

BBC Countryfile magazine

2011-02-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

BBC Countryfile magazine
March 2011

Mark Reid has written a 2-page feature for BBC Countryfile magazine (pages 92 - 93, March 2011) about HOW TO USE A COMPASS.

BBC Countryfile also recommends Mark Reid's 2-day navigation courses in the Yorkshire Dales. Here's what they say...

Create your own countryside routes

Team Walking offer two-day walking courses in the Yorkshire Dales allowing participants to learn the basic map and navigation skills along with hill safety and access, whilst gaining either bronze or silver National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) levels. After completion you will be able to plan and follow your own walks in the countryside.

BBC Countryfile website: http://www.countryfile.com/navigation

TeamWalking website: http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/navigation_skills_weekends.html

Whernside (736m)

2011-02-09T06:55:00.000-08:00

Whernside (736m)

View photo diary of this walk here:
http://yorkshiredales600s.blogspot.com/2011/02/whernside-736m.html

Ingleborough (724m) & Simon Fell (650m)

2011-01-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

Ingleborough & Simon Fell

View photo diary of this walk here:
http://yorkshiredales600s.blogspot.com/2011/01/ingleborough-724m-simon-fell-650m.html

Ale and Hearty - Pub Walking in Northumberland

2011-01-08T02:01:00.000-08:00

Ale and Hearty: Pub walking in Northumberland

The Inn Way... to Northumberland

Featured in today's Guardian (Saturday 8th January 2011)

www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/jan/08/walking-pubs-northumberland

" 'It's about appraising your place in the world. Artificial light is not natural, office light is not natural; walking is what we're meant to do." Well-trodden words for sure, but utterly convincing in the salty air – and when spoken by Mark Reid, the man behind the successful Inn Way long-distance walking and pub guides."

Click the link above to read the article

To buy the book, please visit http://www.innway.co.uk/

'The Inn Way' Completers

2011-01-07T02:37:00.001-08:00

'The Inn Way' Completers List

'The Inn Way' Completers List is now online

Have you walked all 5 routes?

www.innway.co.uk/the-inn-way-walking-books/the-inn-way-completers-list.html

Northern Echo walk

2011-01-04T05:29:00.000-08:00

Northern Echo Walk
Reeth, Apedale, Swaledale

11 miles / 5 hours
Map - OS Explorer OL30
Start / Finish - Reeth, Swaledale
Refreshments - Two moorland shooting huts along the way, and the Buck Hotel at Reeth at the end of the walk.

From Reeth, walked to Grinton then followed the moorland road up across Grinton Moor before cutting off across an area of old lead mines to reach Greets Hill. A moorland track then took us down into secluded Apedale, where we found a superb shooter's hut (Dent's Houses) open for lunch. We then followed the track (bridleway) all the way to the head of the valley (Apedale Head), before dropping down across the flanks fo High Carl (superb views across Swaledale) then down across Harkerside Moor all the way down to the Swing Bridge across the Swale and back up into Reeth.

The name of Apedale is either derived from a Viking personal name 'appi' or from the word for bees. It is certainly away from it all, a valley of stark beauty with disused lead mines and far-reaching views.

Photos (copyright Mark Reid) - the photo-files are named.

New Year resolution - Get fit in the Great Outdoors

2010-12-31T05:52:00.000-08:00

Is your 2011 New Year's Resolution to get fit and healthy?

Head out to the 'green gym' this New Year!

Do you want to...?

Get fit and healthy in 2011
Maintain your new physical activity regime
Learn new skills that will last a lifetime
Enjoy exercise in a sociable way
Be surrounded by inspirational landscapes and greenery
Save money on expensive gym memberships

There is nothing better than a long walk in Britain's beautiful countryside - you not only burn off calories (up to 400 an hour!), but you also give your body a total workout - physically, mentally and spiritually; walking in the Great Outdoors is simply great for your mind, body and soul.

But do you have the skills to plan your own walks and then navigate safely (using a map and compass)?

We offer 1 & 2-day Navigation Skills Courses in the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and Peak District throughout 2011, including National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Gain a national award!

Explore further and step out with confidence in 2011!

2-day NNAS courses: www.teamwalking.co.uk/navigation_skills_weekends.html

1-day courses & Outdoor Experiences: www.teamwalking.co.uk/outdoorexperiences.html

ONLY £99 per person for our 2-day courses or £49 for our 1-day courses.

Northern Echo Christmas walk - Ingleby Greenhow

2010-12-22T03:49:00.000-08:00

Northern Echo Walk - Christmas 2010

Ingleby Greenhow, North York Moors.

4 miles / 2 hours.
OS Explorer Map OL26
Start/Finish - Ingleby Greenhow, near Great Ayton, North Yorkshire
Refreshments - Dudley Arms, Ingleby Greenhow

Ingleby Greenhow is a delightful village that lies just within the boundary of the North York Moors National Park. It is dominated by the great arc of the Cleveland Hills that sweep round in sinuous curves to the east and south of the village, sheltering it from easterly winds. The name of the village may be derived from the Danish words ‘Ingleby’ meaning ‘village of the English’ and Greenhow meaning ‘green hill’ – it is certainly surrounded by green hills, although the day I walked this route everything was completely white with snow. On the edge of the village stands St Andrews Church, a beautiful low, stone building that dates back to the 12th Century when it belonged to the monks of Whitby Abbey, although a church may have stood on this site in Saxon times. It was largely rebuilt in 1741.

This walk heads into the deep recess known as Greenhow Bottom that cuts into the Cleveland Hills creating an impressive amphitheatre of hills around a basin of fields and a scattering of farms that rarely see sunlight in the winter months. Field paths and quite lanes lead into Greenhow Bottom before a path drops down over a footbridge across Ingleby Beck then up to join a track along the foot of the steep escarpment of Ingleby Bank. Remarkably, this track was once a railway line that was built in 1861 by the North Eastern Railway Company to transport ironstone from Rosedale in the heart of the North York Moors to Teesside. This amazing feat of engineering followed the contours of the hills perfectly for eleven miles from the moors above Rosedale, around the head of Farndale to Incline Top above Ingleby Greenhow from where loaded goods wagons were lowered down a 1-in-5 incline from the escarpment of the Cleveland Hills to join the main line at Battersby Junction. At its height during the 1870s over 300,000 tons of iron ore was transported by rail to Teesside annually, peaking at over 560,000 tons in 1873. The mines closed following the General Strike of 1926 and three years later the last train was lowered down the Incline. Our route joins this old railway about a kilometre north of the foot of the Incline and then follows the track-bed for almost two kilometres to reach Bank Foot. Bank Foot was once an important location along the ancient highway between Kirkbymoorside and the villages of Cleveland via the moorland ridge of Rudland Rigg; above these farms this old ‘Coach Road’ winds steeply up Ingleby Bank onto the Cleveland Hills from where it headed south across Rudland Rigg.

For route details, visit the following website between the 23rd and 30th December 2010 (as the website is updated with a new walk every week) http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/

Photos (copyright Mark Reid) - the photo-files are named.

ITV YORKSHIRE TV WALK - Holme Valley

2010-12-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

ITV YORKSHIRE TV WALK
Holme Valley - Christmas 2010

Yesterday, Jon Mitchell (ITV's weatherman) and I went out to Holme in the upper reaches of the Holme Valley, near Huddersfield, to film our latest TV walk for ITV Yorkshire.

We walked a 5-mile route, taking in Brownhill and Marsden reservoirs as well as Cliff Road. It was a picture-perfect Christmas walk with loads of snow on the ground, as well as waist-deep snow drifts as we found out on the moors around Cliff Road. The walk was finished off at the Fleece Inn at Holme (great village pub in the heart of the Yorkshire Pennines), where the local brass band greeted us with Christmas carols.

Tune in either next Thursday (16th Dec) or Friday (17th Dec) on ITV Yorkshire between 6pm and 6:30pm to watch our walk, or log on to our website to watch this clip (after the 17th December) or any of our archived walks www.innway.co.uk/itv-yorkshire-walks-a-breath-of-fresh-air.html

Outdoors Show, Excel, London, 13 - 16 Jan 2011

2010-12-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

TeamWalking goes to the Outdoors Show

TeamWalking will be at the 2011 Outdoors Show at Excel, London between the 13th - 16th January.

We will be on the Welcome to Yorkshire stand.

TeamWalking offers:

2-day Navigation Skills courses (NNAS)
1-day introduction to map & compass courses
Compass skills days (open access walking)
Night navigation experiences
'The Inn Way' 2-day walking experience

plus

Corporate team building and team bonding days
Corporate activity days in the Great Outdoors

Spend an inspirational day in the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, North York Moors or Peak District

www.teamwalking.co.uk

navigation skills course - Grassington

2010-11-26T10:10:00.000-08:00

Navigation Skills course - Grassington, Yorkshire Dales
NNAS Bronze award

2-days walking in Wharfedale, based at the Devonshire Hotel, Grassington.

The course includes:

route planning
weather forecasts
map skills
navigation skills
compass skills
relocation
gear & equipment
food and water
emergency procedures

Our 2011 courses are now available online, with two courses per month between March and November in the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and Peak District.

Gain a national navigation award!

www.teamwalking.co.uk/navigation_skills_weekends.html

Northern Echo Walk - Shacklesborough

2010-11-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

Northern Echo Walk
Shacklesborough, Baldersdale, North Pennines

4.75 miles / 3 hours.
Open Access Land (no dogs) - OS Explorer Map OL31

Cotherstone Moor is a vast expanse of predominantly grassy moorland, punctuated by small, rocky and very distinctive flat-topped hills, of which Shacklesborough is the most dramatic. This moorland rises up to the south of Baldersdale, and forms part of a much larger stretch of moorland that separates this tributary of Teesdale from Stainmore to the south; it is a wide, wild and windswept place! From Balderhead Reservoir, a stony track leads up to Water Knott (outdoor centre), from where a grassy quad bike track takes you across grassy moorland (Open Access Land) to the foot of the steep slopes of Shacklesborough via Galloway Rigg and a sheepfold. It is then a short, sharp and rocky climb to the top with its Trig Point and large cairn, from where there is a magnificent panorama across the North Pennines. From the Trig Point and cairn on this flat-topped tor of more resistant gritstone there are far-reaching views across the hills of the northern Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and, on a clear day, the Lakeland mountains and the North York Moors on the horizon. This is a wonderful spot, a place to sit awhile and take in the wonderful views. In fact, Shacklesborough is a hill that I have wanted to climb for many years, and it did not disappoint.

There are two ways back from the top; either re-trace your steps along the quad bike track or strike north across the boggy tussock grass to pick up some small streams and quad bike tracks that take you back to Water Knott via Low Round Sheepfold and Gill Sike, albeit with wet feet and trousers! A memorable walk in the North Pennines.

Photos (copyright Mark Reid)

Add years to your life and life to your years

2010-11-04T03:07:00.000-07:00

ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE, AND LIFE TO YOUR YEARS

Yesterday, I took a group of 10 business professionals out NetWalking in the Yorkshire Dales.

NetWalking is a unique networking concept that provides uninterrupted “talk time” whilst surrounded by inspirational landscapes.

After breakfast at the Red Lion at Burnsall, we set off across fields and pastures to the hidden village of Thorpe from where a track took us to the top of Barden Fell, a wonderful expanse of heather moorland. After a snack at a shooters' hut, we walked to a ciarn high above Burnsall from where there were spectacular views before heading back down to the Red Lion for lunch.

The main purpose of the day was to get to know like-minded business professionals in an informal yet highly effective way, where you can build strong relationships during a 3-hour walk through the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

So, if you are a business professional that wants to meet some great people, clear your mind and get some good exercise, NetWalking is for you.

http://www.netwalkinguk.com/

Read what others say about NetWalking
www.inntravel.co.uk/Blog/September-2010/Netwalking.aspx
catapultcreativeblog.co.uk/?p=370

2010-10-22T04:18:00.000-07:00

ITV YORKSHIRE WALKS - HAWORTH

My latest ITV walk with weatherman Jon Mitchell is now online.

This month, we head up onto the moors above Haworth in search of Wuthering Heights.

www.innway.co.uk/itv-yorkshire-walks-a-breath-of-fresh-air.html

Great Whernside (704m)

2010-10-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

Great Whernside - 704 metres

See photo diary here http://yorkshiredales600s.blogspot.com/2010/10/great-whernside-704m.html

Mountain Leader Training - Plas y Brenin

2010-10-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

Mountain Leader Training - Plas y Brenin

4th - 8th October 2010

Spent last week at Plas y Brenin (National Mountain Centre) in Snowdonia where I completed the Mountain Leader (summer) training course. Superb venue, magnificent mountains, great food/accommodation and very knowledgeable and experienced instructors. I learnt a great deal, which I'll now put into practice before going back to Plas y Brenin for my ML assessment in spring next year.

Mountain days included: Moel Siabod, Glyder Fawr (via Y Gribin) and a 2-day expedition and wild camp across the Moelwyns.

PIC: Y Gribin & Tryfan from Glyder Fawr

PIC: Glyder Fawr

PIC: View from Moel Siabod

PIC: Moelwyns wild camp

PIC: Moelwyns

PIC: Cnicht summit

The Inn Way to the English Lake District

2010-10-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

The Inn Way to the English Lake District
NEW 2nd Edition due out in late autumn 2010

Completely updated, re-walked and revised, this new edition features more information, text and revised route descriptions (with Grid References) as well as an 8-page colour photograph section and a new cover, re-branded as The Ultimate Pub Walks.

Publication date: late autumn 2010
RRP £10:95

Christmas Pub Walk & Lunch

2010-09-22T04:39:00.000-07:00

Christmas Pub Walk & Lunch
with Mark Reid, author of 'The Inn Way' guidebooks

Just imagine it... a crisp December morning, a wonderful winter walk in the Yorkshire Dales, mince pies on the hillside, crackling log fire and a 2-course Christmas lunch at the Devonshire Hotel, Grassington.

WEDNESDAY 15th DECEMBER 2010

Welcome tea & coffee (9am)
Leisurely, enjoyable and informative guided walk with Mark Reid (9:30am - 1pm)
Mince pie break on the hillside
2-course Christmas lunch - turkey & all the trimmings and Christmas pudding (1pm - 2pm)
Use of our Berghaus gear if required.

Limited places. Once payment has been made a Booking Form will be sent to you. Over 18s only. Tea/coffee and Christmas Lunch at the Devonshire Hotel, Grassington.

ONLY £39 per person

To book your place: www.innwayshop.co.uk/acatalog/Christmas_Pub_Walk___Lunch.html

ITV Yorkshire Walks

2010-09-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

ITV YORKSHIRE WALKS

My two latest ITV Yorkshire walks with Jon Mitchell (ITV's weatherman) are now available on my website

Todmorden & Stoodley Pike

Castleton & Mam Tor

http://www.innway.co.uk/itv-yorkshire-walks-a-breath-of-fresh-air.html

Boots and Beer Walking Festival

2010-09-14T02:49:00.000-07:00

Boots and Beer Walking Festival 2010

Pic: Looking across to Hawes from Sedbusk

Another great Walking Festival last weekend. Over 430 walkers came up to Wensleydale to enjoy a weekend of great walks, classic pubs and evening entertainment.

After a very wet Friday, the weather improved with sunshine and squally showers. There were 14 self-guided walks to choose from, varing from 4 to 15 miles in length, and everyone who set off came back safely having had a great time. But there again, you can not help but be impressed by the stunning landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. We also raised over £800 for Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, who were on standby over the weekend (but thankfully were not called upon!).

I researched and wrote all of the walks - over 120 miles of paths - which took me the best part of the summer.

On Friday I took an Open Access navigation skills walk up to the summit of Dodd Fell (668m), which was challenging due to the weather and terrain, but hugely enjoyable.

Here's a photo of us on the summit

Pic: Summit of Dodd Fell (668 metres)

I hope to see you at next year's event, which will be our 10th Walking Festival http://www.bootsandbeer.com/

Cheers

Mark Reid

NetWalking

2010-09-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

NetWalking - 01/09/10

Inn at Hawnby, North York Moors

Spent yesterday morning with a group of business professionals in the North York Moors. Had breakfast at the Inn at Hawnby, then went for a 6 mile walk across the heather moors and finished back at the pub for lunch. There was time to talk, think and network with like-minded people. Just started a NetWalking group on LinkedIn as well, which will help everyone keep in touch.

For more information http://www.netwalkinguk.com/

Navigation Skills weekend

2010-08-16T04:39:00.000-07:00

Navigation Skills weekend - Reeth

National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) SILVER AWARD
www.teamwalking.co.uk

I ran a NNAS silver course this weekend based at Reeth in Swaledale. This included a day's navigation training on Saturday learning about moorland walking, compass skills and route simplification. We went up onto Grinton Moor and Hight Harker Hill. This was followed by a night navigation exercise on Saturday night on Grinton Moor, followed by a moorland walk assessment on Sunday on Calver Hill

The heather is blooming so it was a great time to be out on the moors above Swaledale.

If you want to learn navigation skills then visit http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/

Gilmonby Moor

2010-08-16T04:34:00.000-07:00

NORTHERN ECHO - walk of the week

Published 12/08/10

Bowes, Gilmonby, Gilmonby Moor, Eller Beck Rigg, The Combs, Farewell Barn & Quarry Hill

5.75 miles / 3 hours (including Open Access Land)

Photos of the walk (in order)

Bowes Castle
Gilmonby Moor
Eller Beck
Spanham Scar

Photos copyright Mark Reid 2010

New Website

2010-07-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

NEW 'INN WAY' WEBSITE LAUNCHED

If you love walking and pubs, then visit our NEW WEBSITE

http://www.innway.co.uk/

Interactive forum
Full details of The Inn Way routes
Walking with Elvis
Gallery from all of The Inn Way routes
ITV Yorkshire walks

plus much more

Great Shunner Fell

2010-07-26T10:31:00.001-07:00

Great Shunner Fell walk

See photo diary here
http://yorkshiredales600s.blogspot.com/2010/07/great-shunner-fell-716m.html

Night Navigation

2010-07-10T13:35:00.001-07:00

Night Navigation, Muker, Swaledale
27th June 2010

As part of the National Navigation Award Scheme silver award, I took the group out on a night navigation. Obviously, being the end of June it didn't go dark till 10:30pm. So we went out up onto the moors above Swaledale until 1:30am. The full moon was beautiful and it was a lovely balmy evening. I also rescued a lamb stuck down a shake hole; it would have certainly died if we hadn't walked past it.

For more information about Navigation Skills courses visit http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/

Can you use a compass?

2010-06-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

HALF OF US HAVE NEVER FISHED OR USED A COMPASS
Telegraph 09/10/10

www.telegraph.co.uk/family/7811198/Half-of-us-have-never-fished-or-used-a-compass.html

A recent study has shown that..."A third of the 3,000 people surveyed said they had never done any of the following 'great outdoors' activities: fished, started a campfire, ridden a horse, used a compass, gone hill walking, swum in natural water or stood on top of a mountain."

"The research found that 59 per cent of those who admitted they had never undertaken an outdoors activity said it was because they had never been given the opportunity, while a third said they had been too scared to try. "

Now's your chance!

Here at TeamWalking we take groups out hill-walking, teach people navigation skills (including compass work) and get people to experience the Great Outdoors in a fun and inspirational way

http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/

Chris Connor - ELVIS

2010-05-26T02:20:00.000-07:00

Chris Connor - ELVIS

As you may know, I'm a BIG Elvis fan. I have always dismissed every Elvis Tribute Act as a poor imitation of the real thing - no-one has ever got close, in my opinion, to looking and/or sounding like Elvis.

I have changed my mind.

I went to see Chris Connor last week and was totally amazed - he looks, sounds and moves just like Elvis in 1970 (from the classic 1970 Elvis documentary 'That's The Way It Is'). For much of the concert I had to keep telling myself that I was not watching Elvis! Chris has got Elvis' voice, mannerisms and moves to perfection.

If you're an Elvis fan, go and see Chris Connor...

http://www.chrisconnor.org/

NEW RECORD SET AT YORKSHIRE'S SMALLEST BAR

2010-05-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

The Inn Way... to the North York Moors

2nd EDITION BOOK LAUNCH - Sunday 16th May 2010

NEW RECORD SET!!!

The 'old' record of 27 people and a dog squeezed into Yorkshire's smallest bar (8-ft x 6-ft) - the 'Little Bar' at the Birch Hall Inn at Beck Hole - has stood since the launch of the 1st Edition of The Inn Way... to the North York Moors back in 2000.

Yesterday, Mark Reid decided to re-launch the new 2nd Edition of his North York Moors book at the Birch Hall Inn once again and broke this long-standing record, with 30 people shoulder to shoulder in the 'Little Bar' of the Birch Hall Inn.

The Birch Hall Inn is one of England's classic country pubs, and features along Mark Reid's long distance route The Inn Way... to the North York Moors - 6 days, 89 miles, 31 pubs.

BOOK LAUNCH

2010-05-15T03:48:00.001-07:00

THE INN WAY TO THE NORTH YORK MOORS

Book Launch - Sunday 16th May

12 Noon, Birch Hall Inn, Beck Hole, nr Goathland

see you there!

Buckden Pike walk

2010-05-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Buckden Pike walk - 702 metres

Click here to view photos from my latest walk up Buckden Pike in Wharfedale

The Yorkshire Dales 600s

The Inn Way to the North York Moors

2010-05-10T04:55:00.000-07:00

The Inn Way... to the North York Moors

2nd Edition OUT NOW

Fully revised, updated and re-walked with an 8-page colour photograph insert that brings the route alive.

The Inn Way website

Travel article wins top award

2010-05-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

Ian Belcher wins top travel award for article about The Inn Way

Ian Belcher has been named VisitEngland's 'Travel Writer of the Year'. He won the award for his article that appeared in The Guardian last April entitled 'It will all end in beers', which charted his walk along 'The Inn Way to the Yorkshire Dales'. Mark Reid accompanied Ian on this walk, along with three Canadian brothers - the Eagar Brothers - who were filming the walk for their adventure travel TV show.

Read Guardian article here

The Inn Way to the Yorkshire Dales

TV Walk - Wensleydale

2010-04-02T07:13:00.000-07:00

ITV Yorkshire TV WALK - Askrigg, Wensleydale
screened 1st April 2010

Watch the latest ITV walk where Mark Reid, author of The Inn Way guidebooks, and ITV's weatherman Jon Mitchell head out on a 5-mile walk around Askrigg in Wensleydale, taking in Mill Gill Force, Bainbridge, Worton Scar and Nappa Hall, finishing back at the Kings Arms at Askrigg, AKA the Drovers Arms from James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small

Watch the clip here
http://www.itv.com/yorkshire/breath-of-fresh-air65658/

This walk is featured in "The Inn Way to Black Sheep Pubs" by Mark Reid (£7:95)

Northern Echo, Esk Dale walk

2010-03-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

NORTHERN ECHO - walk of the week

Published 18/03/10

Egton Bridge, Hall Grange Farm, Delves, Arncliff Wood, Beggar's Gridge, Glaisdale, Rake Farm, River Esk, Underpark Farm and Lealhom.

5 miles / 2.5 hours (linear walk - catch the train back to Egton Bridge)

Photos of the walk (in order)

Egton Bridge
Delves cottage
Arncliffe Wood
Beggar's Bridge
Old Mill, Glaisdale
Rake Farm, Esk Dale
Lealhom

Photos copyright Mark Reid 2010

View route description and map at
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/

Please note: This web page is updated every Thursday with a new walk

Northern Echo - Drumaldrace walk

2010-03-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

NORTHERN ECHO - walk of the week

Walk published 04/03/10

Hawes, Burtersett, Roman Road, Drumaldrace, Wether Fell and Gayle

For full details of this walk and photos, visit: http://yorkshiredales600s.blogspot.com/2010/03/drumaldrace-wether-fell-614m.html

Northern Echo, Roseberry Topping walk

2010-02-21T04:10:00.000-08:00

NORTHERN ECHO - walk of the week

Published 25/02/10

Guisborough Forest & Walkway, Bousdale Forest, Hanging Stone, Newton Moor, Roseberry Topping and Bousdale Farm.

6 miles / 3 hours

Photos of the walk (in order)

Guisborough Forest visitor centre
Old railway line
Bousdale Forest
Climbing up to the Hanging Stone
View from the Hanging Stone
View of Roseberry Topping from Newton Moor
Heading towards Roseberry Topping
Roseberry Topping summit
Heading down from Roseberry Topping
Forest below Bosdale Farm
Sunset

Photos copyright Mark Reid 2010

View route description and map at
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/
Please note: This web page is updated every Thursday with a new walk

Navigation Skills

2010-02-18T02:15:00.000-08:00

Mark Reid's Navigation Skills weekends - featured in the Telegraph (18/02/10)

My Navigation Skills weekends (NNAS) are featured in today's Telegraph

Read the article here
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/outdoors/7258275/Map-out-a-walking-adventure.html

Find out more about the courses
http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/navigation_skills_weekends.html

Northern Echo, Middleham Walk

2010-02-17T03:26:00.000-08:00

NORTHERN ECHO - walk of the week

Published 18/02/10

Middleham, Cover Banks, Hullo Bridge, Braithwaite Hall, Bird Ridding Wath, Tupgill Park and Middleham Low Moor.

6.25 miles / 3 hours

Photos of the walk (in order)

Middleham Castle
Leaving Middleham
Hullo Bridge
View from Hullo Bridge
Braithwaite Hall
Lane through Coverdale
Looking across Coverdale
Bird Ridding Wath
First snowdrops of 2010
Tupgill Park
Low Middleham Moor

Photos copyright Mark Reid 2010

View route description and map at

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/

Please note: This web page is updated every Thursday with a new walk

Northern Echo, Barningham walk

2010-02-09T08:40:00.000-08:00

NORTHERN ECHO - walk of the week
Published 11/02/10

Barningham, Barningham Park, Park House Farm, Barningham Moor, Bragg House, Low Lane

4 miles / 2 hours

Photos of the walk (in order)

Barningham Water Fountain
Barningham Park
Woodland Path
Deer Park Wall plaque
Deer Park Wall
Park House Farm
Barningham Moor
Snow storm on the moor
Snow clears away
Bragg House
Low Lane

Photos copyright Mark Reid 2010

View route description and map at

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/
Please note: This web page is updated every Thursday with a new walk

Northern Echo, Horse Head Moor walk, Yorkshire Dales

2010-02-02T02:56:00.000-08:00

NORTHERN ECHO - walk of the week

Walk published 04/02/10

Yockenthwaite, Horse Head, Beckermonds, Langstrothdale

For full details of this walk and photos, visit: http://yorkshiredales600s.blogspot.com/2010/02/horse-head-609m.html

NORTHERN ECHO, Upper Wharfedale walk, Yorkshire Dales

2010-01-27T03:52:00.000-08:00

NORTHERN ECHO - walk of the week
Published 28th January 2010
Buckden, Hubberholme, Scar House, Chapel Fell, Crook Gill, Cray and Buckden Rake

5 miles / 2.5 hours

Photos of the walk (in order)

Buckden
Hubberholme Church
Langstrothdale
Scar House
Overlooking Scar House
Upper Wharfedale from Chapel Fell
White Lion at Cray
Wall ascending to Buckden Pike
Snow drifts on Buckden Rake
Tractor ruts on Buckden Rake
Descent to Buckden

Photos copyright of Mark Reid 2010

View route description and map at
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/
Please note: This web page is updated every Thursday with a new walk

NORTHERN ECHO, Rosedale Abbey walk, North York Moors

2010-01-20T04:58:00.000-08:00

Northern Echo - Walk of the Week
Published 21st January 2010
Rosedale Abbey, Thorgill, Thorgill Beck, Sheriff's Pit, Rosedale Ironstone Railway, Bank Top

5 miles / 3 hours

Photos of the walk (in order)
Wall near Thorgill
Thorgill and Rosedale
Head of Thorgill Beck
Rosedale Ironstone Railway
Looking down towards Rosedale Abbey
Ironstone Railway
Ironstone Kilns
Steep road from Bank Top

View route description and map at
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/
Please note: This webpage is updated every Thursday with a new walk

The Inn Way... to the North York Moors SECOND EDITION

2010-01-12T10:27:00.001-08:00

The Inn Way... to the North York Moors

NEW Second Edition due out at the end of February

Updated text, 8-page colour photograph section, re-walked route.

RRP £10:95

NORTHERN ECHO Leyburn Shawl walk, Yorkshire Dales

2010-01-12T06:32:00.000-08:00

Northern Echo - Walk of the Week

Published 14th January 2010

Leyburn Shawl, Keld Head lead mine, Wensley Park and Wensley village.

5.5 miles, 3 hours.

Photos of the walk (in order):

Leyburn Shawl

Leyburn Shawl path

Keld Head lead mine

Wensley

Wensley Church

Sheep in snow

Wensleydale railway

View route description and map at http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/

Please note: This web page is updated every Thursday with a new walk

NORTHERN ECHO Rievaulx Abbey walk

2009-12-28T11:02:00.000-08:00

Northern Echo - Walk of the Week
Published: 31/12/09

Rievaulx Abbey, Bow Bridge, Tylas Barn, Ashberry Farm and Rievaulx Bridge.
5 miles, 3 hours.

Photos of the walk (in order):
Rievaulx Abbey
Rievaulx Abbey footpath
misty Ryedale
The Inn Way signpost
Tylas Farm
Rievaulx from Tylas Barn
across Ryedale
misty Rievaulx Abbey

View the route description and map at http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/mindbodysoul/walks/

Please note: this web page is updated every Thursday with a new walk.

Let it snow...

2009-12-17T03:06:00.000-08:00

Snowing in Swaledale

The Yorkshire Dales are covered with snow, and there's more on the way. Time to get your winter gear on and head out to the hills.

PIC: Arkengarthdale

walk of the week

2009-12-09T03:04:00.000-08:00

Walk of the Week

Cold Kirby and Scawton, North York Moors

4.75 miles, 2 hours, 1 pub

Route: Cold Kirby, Flassen Dale, Scawton, Stocking House, Nettle Dale, Flassen Dale, Low Field Land.

Highlights: Deep steep-sided valleys, a pub built by the monks of Rievaulx and countless pheasants.

FREE walking weekend route pack

2009-12-06T04:38:00.000-08:00

FREE Walking Weekend route pack.

Buy any book from our on-line shop http://www.innway.co.uk/ and get a FREE walking weekend route pack. This walking weekend route pack will change on the first of every month, with 12 walking weekends to collect throughout the year.

The walking weekend pack will contain two walks from a village in either the Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, North York Moors, North Pennines or Lake District. It will be sent as a PDF document via email.

See our on-line shop for full details.

Cheers!

Mark Reid

Walking Weekends Lake District

2009-12-06T04:33:00.000-08:00

WALKING WEEKENDS: LAKE DISTRICT

My latest walking guidebook is now in the shops, after 18 months research and writing. This book features 24 circular walks from 12 villages, with a mountains walk and a low-level walk from each village - ideal for a weekend break.

5p from every copy sold will be donated to the 'Fix the Fells' appeal - and £75 has already been donated! The 'Fix the Fells' appeal raises money to help repair and maintain eroded upland paths in the Lake District, thus ensuring this beautiful landscape is passed on to future generations in good order.

Walking Weekends: Lake District

2009-10-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

Langdale Pikes from Esk Pike

Thornthwaite Beacon (near High Street)

Gamlin End, above Buttermere

View from High Spy, above Borrowdale

Walking Weekends: Lake District
At last! After 18 months of walking over 250 miles of Lakeland paths, researching and writing, this book is finally at the printers being printed! I've enjoyed every moment of my time in the Lake District (around 40 days' walking) in all weathers and all seasons; my favourite time is autumn because there are less people, the colours are wonderful and the pubs warm and welcoming.

My best experiences? Staying at the Royal Oak Hotel at Rosthwaite (wonderfully old fashioned country hotel where dinner is served at 7pm prompt by sounding a gong!), wild camping beside Angle Tarn, my Sigg water bottle frozen solid on the summit of Helvellyn when it was minus 10 degrees, the lakeside path around Ullswater on a May evening, snowdrifts on Skiddaw in February, dense mist of High Stile and relying totally on compass bearings, a pint of two of Coniston Bluebird Bitter and having the summit of Great Gable all to myself on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in late March!

Last weekend (Friday to Monday) I re-walked four of the mountain routes to check accuracy as, when I originally walked them, it was winter and there was low cloud and strong winds, so I went back to make sure they were OK. They were fine (one or two minor 'tweaks' to the text), which was very reassuring!

I again stayed at the Royal Oak at Rosthwaite, and then walked up High Spy ridge (12 miles) above Borrowdale on Friday, High Stile ridge (9 miles) above Buttermere on Satruday, High Street (12 miles) on Sunday and finally Bowfell (9 miles) on Monday. The weather on Monday was perfect - cool, clear, still and amazing visibility.

The book will be out in about 3 weeks time (RRP £9:95), featuring 24 walks from 12 villages throughout the Lake District (Walking Weekends: Lake District, by Mark Reid).

I'll miss the Lakes...

Best walking gadget?

2009-08-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

My favourite walking gadget?

I'm often asked what is my favourite piece of walking kit or, at Christmas or birthdays, is there something I would like as a present?

Apart from the basics which you should always carry (boots, waterproofs, rucksack, map, compass, headtorch, first aid kit, bivvy bag etc), the five top walking gadets / pieces of kit that I find most useful are:

i-pod nano - for listening to classical / Frank Sinatra (who sings at walking speed) / jazz whilst I'm out walking on my own.
Iron Oxide hand warmers - I use these in winter. They're like teabags that are full of iron filings that oxidise when exposed to the air, which then produces heat. Perfect for putting in your winter mitt gloves to keep your fingers lovely and warm.
Thermos flask - I know it sounds a bit 'red socks and bobble hats', but you can't beat a cup of hot chocolate whilst sheltering behind a stone wall on a rain-lashed moorland. The first sip transports you back to somewhere warm, dry and cosy!
Group Shelter - I've got three sizes of group shelter -2 person, 4-6 persons and 8-12 persons. I've used these several times 'in anger' when some people in the walking group have been cold and there's no shelter. Within seconds you're warm, out of the wind and rain. The only downside is that the warmth is damp body heat, which makes the inside rather like a sauna, and the trick is to be very quick packing it away as you soon get cold again. Potentially a real life saver if you have an injury in a remote location.
Gaiters - some walkers love them, some hate them. Try walking through wet heather or bracken without them.

GPS? I never use mine. I've got one, but it sits at the bottom of my rucksack for that moment when I don't know where I am, which has not happened yet! If you have good map and compass skills then you'll never need one. And a GPS is useless unless you have good map and compass skills! For me, a major part of the enjoyment of walking is navigation, and that means reading and interpreting the landscape around you, which you can only do with a map. If you're thinking of buying one, then spend your money on a navigation course instead. Have I mentioned that I run weekend navigation courses in the Yorkshire Dales?

Cheers

Mark Reid

Navigation Skills weekends

2009-08-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

NAVIGATION SKILLS

This year's Navigation Skills (NNAS bronze level) have proved popular, with almost all of the monthly courses now sold out.

These weekend courses not only teach navigation skills, but route planning, weather forecasts, essential gear & equipment, emergency procedures plus much more, which are just as important as being able to safely find your way through the countryside.

I will be posting details of next year's courses on http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/ in autumn. Myself and Richard Tarran will be running monthly NNAS bronze and silver level courses throughout 2010.

The Inn Way waterproof route descriptions

2009-08-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

This summer, I've bumped into several people walking my Inn Way routes who suggested producing the route descriptions seperately, as they found carrying the book with them whilst route finding (in a map case!) was a problem when it was raining!

With this in mind, I have now reproduced the route descriptions from my Inn Way long distance routes on waterproof, tear-resistant paper.

Lightweight, clear, precise and waterproof - ideal to use in conjunction with The Inn Way guidebooks and OS maps

Wasdale weekend

2009-05-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

Wasdale walking weekend - 8th to 10th May 2009

This weekend I'm heading up to Wasdale with 13 mates to celebrate my pending 40th birthday with a weekend of walking and drinking! We're staying at the Strands Inn at Nether Wasdale and on Saturday we're planning to walk from there up to Haycock, Pillar, Black Sail and down to the Wasdale Head Inn for about 3pm. This is an 11-mile walk that should take us 6 hours. The weather forecast isn't good with heavy rain showers and winds of up to 50 mph, which should make it interesting walking across the top of Pillar! We'll then have a couple of hours at the Wasdale Head Inn during the afternoon to sample some of the beers from the Great Gable Brewery - I particularly like Illgill Head - before heading back to Nether Wasdale. So, if you're going to be in Wasdale this weekend, pop into the Wasdale Head Inn and say hello!

Picture: dropping down from Illgill Head back into Wasdale

Meugher

2009-05-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

Walk of the Week - 05/05/09

Yarnbury, Grassington Moor, Meugher (575 metres), Sandy Gate, Mossdale and Bare House. 10 miles / 6 hours.

Meugher is said to be the most remote fell in the Yorkshire Dales. It is certainly the least visited (until I wrote this walk up for the Northern Echo!). It rises up on the lonely watershed between Wharfedale and Nidderdale, surrounded by miles of rolling moorland, with few landmarks or features, which makes this whole area a navigational challenge!

However, this is a walk of stark beauty that heads up through the abandoned lead mines across Grassington Moor before steadily climbing to eventually reach the rounded grassy summit of Meugher. The views from this summit are expansive with Great Whernside, Little Whernside and the Nidderdale moors clearly visible. Meugher is surrounded by peat hags, deep gullies and thick tussock grass that saps your energy. From Meugher, the route headed west to pick up the bridleway at Sandy Gate that leads down into unfrequented Mossdale and back to Yarnbury. Map, compass and good knowledge of how to use them essential. If you are unsure, then sign up for one of my navigation skills courses - http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/

Fremington Edge

2009-04-23T02:39:00.000-07:00

WALK OF THE WEEK - 23/04/09

8 miles / 4 hours. Reeth, Swing Bridge, Grinton, Marrick Priory, Marrick, Fremington Egde and the White House.

Fremington Edge rises sheer above the confluence of Arkengarthdale and Swaledale, a vast wall of screes and crags that affords a superb view of Reeth far below. The walk across the top of the broad ridge is one of the finest in the Dales, and if you combine it with a riverside walk from the Swing Bridge, through Grinton to the historic remains of Marrick Priory, then you will be rewarded with a memorable walk.

Upper Teesdale

2009-04-13T03:43:00.000-07:00

WALK OF THE WEEK - 13/04/09

12.5 miles / 6 hours. Bowlees, High Force, Cronkley Fell, Upper Teedale, Raven Crag, Forest-in-Teesdale, Dirt Pit.

The upper reaches of Teesdale stand as England's last wilderness, a vast landscape of open fells, moors and sweeping valleys. Here you will find the Teesdale Assemblage, a unique and rare collection of arctic-alpine plants that have survived since the last Ice Age. The path across Cronkley Fell is known as the Green Trod, an ancient cattle drove road across the fells from Teesdale to Dufton. The views are superb, including this photo of the start of the descent down into Upper Teesdale.

The Guardian - travel feature

2009-04-12T00:52:00.000-07:00

The Guardian - travel feature, 11/04/09

IT'LL ALL END IN BEERS

Mark Reid's 'Inn Way... to the Yorkshire Dales' was a 2-page travel feature in The Guardian on Saturday 11th April 2009.

In late February 2009, Ian Belcher accompanied Mark Reid and the three Eagar Brothers from Canada, who were filming an adventure travel TV programme for Canadian TV as well as for National Geographic. We walked 5 out of the 6 stages of 'The Inn Way' walk.... read all about the ensuing adventures on the Guardian website...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/apr/11/yorkshire-walking-holidays-uk

BUY 'The Inn Way... to the Yorkshire Dales' NOW: http://www.innway.co.uk/acatalog/The_InnWay_Titles.html#a4

PHOTO: Antony Cake

The Ale Trail - pub reviews

2009-01-23T09:13:00.001-08:00

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews, as featured in the Yorkshire Post

By Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooksOn the trail of Yorkshire’s great country pubs, where walkers are welcome,beer is in tip top condition and the food is hearty and wholesome.

Feversham Arms, Church Houses

There’s more to Farndale than daffodils. It is a beautifully verdant valley of patchwork fields, scattered farms and meandering river sheltered by trees. Wonderful walks abound through the valley and across the surrounding moorland, although pick your times carefully for around 40,000 people visit Farndale during March and April to marvel at the display of wild daffodils that carpet the riverside pastures. There are many stories as to how these daffodils came to be in this valley, some say that they were planted by the monks of Rievaulx or by the community of Friars who settled in the valley during the Middle Ages.

Of course, crowds of people are not a problem in January. A touch of frost still lingered in the shadow of the walls and the sun was trying to break through the morning mist as I set off from Low Mill. The path is a delight as it meanders alongside the river. 40-minutes later and I was in the hamlet of Church Houses; I had hardly warmed up, let alone built up an appetite for lunch at the Feversham Arms. I know this pub well as it lies along the route of my North York Moors ‘Inn Way’ walk, but it changed hands 18 months ago and I had yet to meet the new licensees. After all, a pub is all about the people who run it.

The first thing that surprises you is the fact that there is a pub here at all, for Church Houses is a remote hamlet tucked away in the heart of the North York Moors. The second thing that surprised me was the warmth of the welcome as the landlady behind the bar was really friendly and cheerful. I ordered the homemade Tomato and Tarragon soup (£2:95) and a pint of Black Sheep Best Bitter (£2:50 a pint) and was assured it really was homemade. The beer was in excellent condition with a pronounced dry hoppiness characteristic of Black Sheep’s ales. The cosy stone-flagged bar was busy with people eating and when I sat down a lady at the table next to me exclaimed “that was delicious, absolutely fantastic!” as the landlady cleared their plates. This boded well. My soup was excellent, plenty of it and unmistakably homemade and the landlady even brought a dog chew out for Elvis who had been eyeing up my bread baguette.

The Feversham Arms is unashamedly a walkers’ pub; unpretentious, unspoilt and wonderfully friendly, so much so that you don’t want to leave the warmth of the bar. I overheard the landlady talking to two of her customers about some walkers who knocked on the pub door at 5pm on Boxing Day. They thought they were in Westerdale and were looking for their car. Westerdale, the landlady explained, was a good three hour walk away over the moors in the next valley. As they looked tired, cold and wet she told them to hop in her car and she gave them a lift back to Westerdale. “That was kind”, I said, “Well, you’d hope someone would do the same for you.”

Contact:
Feversham Arms, Church Houses, Farndale, Kirkbymoorside: 01751 433206

Opening Hours:
12 – 2pm, 6 – 11pm (food served until 9pm in the evenings). Open all day during March and April.

Food
Extensive menu, generous portions, delicious food. Menu includes 10oz Sirloin Steak £12:95, Bangers & Mash £8:25, Steak & Kidney Pie £8:75.

Real Ales
Choice of two regular ales and one occasional guest, including Black Sheep Best Bitter and Tetley’s Bitter.

Accommodation
Three en-suite bedrooms, from £32:50 per person.

Walkers Welcome?
Stone-flagged bar where dogs and boots are welcome.

TEXT COPYRIGHT - MARK REID 2009

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews

2009-01-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

January is a time to reflect upon the year that has passed and look forward to the year ahead. But so often we are surrounded by the noise and distraction of everyday life that there is scarce opportunity to stop, think and reflect. What we need is inspiration, and it has to be on a big scale, preferably the top of a hill or mountain. It is the combination of fresh air, far-reaching views and open hills that offer a sense of space and freedom that works in mysterious ways to soothe, inspire and refresh. A walk across the Yorkshire moors helps clear your mind and allows escapism from everyday life. But most of all, it provokes thought, reflection and contemplation.

The upper reaches of Nidderdale offer dramatic scenery as impressive as Wharfedale or Swaledale but with the added attraction of two reservoirs. Cradled by high fells, the man-made reservoirs of Angram and Scar House stand out starkly against the wild and untamed landscape. You can only stand in wonder at the skill and effort it took to build the massive dam walls, with the scant remains of the workers’ village testament to their toil. From the dam, I followed an old track steeply up above Woodale Scar onto the open moorland of Scar House Pasture, the deep snow underfoot frozen and crisp lying sheltered by the north-facing crags. As I reached the moorland crest, a wonderful view unfolded along the length of Nidderdale with the waters of Gouthwaite Reservoir sparkling in the distance. Nature was starting to work its magic when I realised that it was almost three o’clock – on a Sunday as well – and there was over a mile to go to the Crown Hotel at Middlesmoor. Surely I had missed last orders. Perhaps the licensee would take pity on me. I decided to run. There is not much passing trade in Middlesmoor for this is one of the most remote villages in the Yorkshire Dales some 1,000-ft above sea level where the road ends, or starts. Windswept is a word that springs to mind.

I reached the front door of the pub at ten past three and was surprised to find it open, but not just that, it was full. Sometimes things come together at the right time to create a memorable moment, and this was one of them. Outside the snow was beginning to freeze as the afternoon sky turned a pale orange, whilst inside a mix of farmers, gamekeepers and locals sat around the bar, their contented chatter and laughter filling the room. I perched my rucksack on the spare table beside the fireplace with its cast-iron stove radiating heat. Elvis, my German shorthaired pointer, was also in luck as one of the gamekeeper’s Springer spaniels took a shine to him, although, for once, the warm fireside took preference. I sat down with my pint of Black Sheep Best Bitter (ABV 3.8%, £2.50 a pint) and soaked up the atmosphere. For me, an unpretentious village pub like this is as much a part of the Yorkshire Dales experience as the hills and valleys I had just walked across.

Contact:
Crown Hotel, Middlesmoor, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire: 01423 755204

Opening Hours:
Winter - Sat & Sun all day, Tues & Fri 12 – 3pm, 7 – 11pm. Food available lunchtime and evening during opening hours. Open every day from Easter to October.

Food
Popular menu choices include Steak & Ale Pie £6:50, Nidderdale Lamb Chops £8:50 or Black Pudding, Bacon & Mash £6:50.

Real Ales
Choice of four hand-pulled local ales, including Black Sheep Best Bitter and Special, Wensleydale Brewery’s Semer Water and Well’s Bombardier.

Accommodation
Seven bedrooms, from £27:50 per person.

Walkers Welcome?
Flagstone bar where dogs and boots are welcome.

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews

2009-01-05T03:27:00.000-08:00

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews, as featured in the Yorkshire Post

By Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooks

On the trail of Yorkshire’s great country pubs, where walkers are welcome,
beer is in tip top condition and the food is hearty and wholesome.

New Inn, Eccup, Leeds

A pair of Red Kites soared above the rolling fields of the Harewood Estate, silently circling above woodland copse and hedgerows. These magnificent birds live and breed on the extensive farmland that surrounds Harewood House and Eccup Reservoir, just to the north of Leeds, for this is now one of the best sites in the country to see these birds of prey that, until quite recently, were extinct in England. Also hidden away on the Harewood Estate is the purpose-built Emmerdale village that is used for filming. The estate is criss-crossed by bridleways and footpaths, with routes passing near the fictional Emmerdale village as well as around Eccup Reservoir. And with a bit of careful planning, your walk may also pass the New Inn at Eccup.

An overnight heavy snowfall had given way to clear skies and a gradual thaw, ideal winter walking conditions. With cold fingers and toes, I arrived at the New Inn just in time – another minute spent watching those Red Kites would have meant no lunch for me. The first thing that struck me was the warmth, for just across from the bar was a glowing coal fire set in a stone fireplace; very welcoming. There was only one other couple in the bar, who told me that the pub is usually full of walkers. I ordered my soup and half of Tetley’s Bitter (£2.25 per pint) and sat down next to the fire. The beer was well-kept and flavoursome with the distinctive slightly sulphurous ‘Tetley’ tang quite noticeable. Tetley’s always tastes best in Leeds, and my first sip brought memories flooding back. When I left university back in 1990 I got a graduate trainee job with Allied Breweries and was based at Joshua Tetley & Son in Leeds. Those were the days when Leeds was Tetley’s heartland where almost every pub sported the famous huntsman logo. Horse-drawn drays delivered cask beer to the city’s pubs, and the bitter was probably the best of its kind produced by a national brewer. How things have changed. Leeds without Tetley’s Brewery? Unthinkable, but by 2011 a reality.

Whilst I was waiting for my soup the dance music coming from the speakers suddenly changed to Christmas carols. I would have preferred some peace and quiet whilst I lamented Tetley’s demise. My bowl of homemade mushroom and chestnut soup (£2:25) soon arrived, piping hot and extremely thick – I could almost stand my spoon up in it! It had a subtle mushroom flavour, and an even more subtle chestnut flavour, but was hot and filling, especially with the half baguette that came with it. A specials board by the bar offered plenty of choice in addition to the lunchtime and evening menu, all reasonably priced.

It is a friendly and traditional country pub that even boasts a tap room, a rarity nowadays. The decor is a tad tired, but I felt quite at home in my walking gear and boots sat by the coal fire with my Tetley’s and soup.

Contact:
New Inn, Eccup Lane, Leeds, LS16 8AU. Tel: 0113 288 6335

Opening Hours:
Open Mon – Fri 12 ‘til 3pm, 5pm ‘til 11pm; Sat & Sun all day.
Food served Mon – Fri 12 ‘til 2pm and 6 ‘til 9pm, Sat 12 ‘til 9pm, Sun 12 ‘til 5pm.

Food
An extensive and reasonably priced menu including homemade steak & ale pie (£7:45), haddock in homemade batter (£7:45) and 16oz T-bone steak (£11:45)

Real Ales
Choice of three hand-pulled ales including Tetley’s Bitter (ABV 3.7%), Timothy Taylor’s Landlord (ABV 4.3%) and Old Speckled Hen (ABV 4.5%).

Walkers Welcome?
Walkers and dogs welcome (in the tap room). Outside, there is a large patio and children’s play area.

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews

2009-01-05T03:25:00.000-08:00

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews, as featured in the Yorkshire Post

By Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooks

On the trail of Yorkshire’s great country pubs, where walkers are welcome,
beer is in tip top condition and the food is hearty and wholesome.

Cover Bridge Inn, East Witton, Wensleydale

Looking for a great Christmas pub walk? Look no further than the Cover Bridge Inn, one of Yorkshire’s great walkers’ pubs. The 7-mile circular walk from the pub along the banks of the river Cover and then the Ure to the romantic 12th Century ruins of Jervaulx Abbey, over Kilgram Bridge to Thornton Steward and back passing the ancient Church of St Oswald, the oldest in Wensleydale, offers a magnificent combination of inspiring landscapes, monastic ruins and a welcoming pub at the end. It is the layers of history that surround you, and a keen eye to spot them, that bring the landscape alive. The monks of Jervaulx began cheese-making back in the 1100s, the recipe for which has remained in the area ever since and is now known as Wensleydale Cheese. The village of Thornton Steward was once the home of the steward of Alan the Red of Britanny, Norman earl of Richmond and nephew of William the Conqueror. The Cover Bridge Inn stands between the ancient fords across the Cover and Ure along a road that probably dates back to Roman times.

After an early start, I arrived back at the Cover Bridge Inn at lunchtime, my appetite well and truly whetted by muddy paths and ecclesiastical history. I have been to this pub many times before and it never changes, which is part of its charm. The first hurdle for any newcomer is actually getting into the bar, for the door latch takes a bit of fathoming out, much to the amusement of the locals. I bagged the table beside the inglenook fireplace, which was well stoked up with coal and logs, and then I began the difficult task of choosing one of the seven real ales on draught. The landlord obviously takes great pride in his beer with local brews on sale and eight framed CAMRA awards behind the bar. Well, when in Rome... I chose a pint of Yorkshire Dales Brewery’s Butter Tubs (ABV 3.7%, £2.50 a pint), brewed in Askrigg a few miles up Wensleydale. Excellent condition, just the right temperature with a rich amber colour and dry hoppy flavour that preceded a lingering bitterness. But I wasn’t just here for a liquid lunch, so I ordered the famous Ham & Eggs - as seen on TV, as the sign outside proclaims. The bar had a very relaxed atmosphere with a handful of locals at the bar and a party of walkers in the adjoining dining room. It was then I noticed the stone carved bust of a strange horse-like creature in the alcove. This was the legendary Kelpie, whose name is derived from the Celtic word for ‘water horse’, an evil spirit that is said to rise from the foaming waters at the confluence of the rivers Cover and Ure at dusk to stalk its victims before pursuing them into the water. I think I’ll stay put by the fire!

Contact:
Cover Bridge Inn, East Witton, Leyburn, North Yorkshire: 01969 623250

Opening Hours:
Bar open all day; food available 12 – 2pm, 6 – 9pm.

Food
Excellent food and generous portions, including Ham & Eggs (£10), Homemade Steak Pie (£8:25) and Ploughman’s Lunch (£7).

Real Ales
Choice of seven hand-pulled local ales, including Theakston’s Best Bitter and Old Peculier, Black Sheep Best Bitter, Salamander Brewery’s Gold Dust, Bradfield Brewery’s Farmer’s Blonde, Wensleydale Brewery Rowley Mild, Yorkshire Dales Brewery Butter Tubs and John Smith’s Bitter.

Accommodation
3 en-suite rooms, from £27:50 per person.

Walkers Welcome?
Dogs welcome in the bar, but muddy boots should be left in the porch.

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews

2009-01-05T03:23:00.000-08:00

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews, as featured in the Yorkshire Post

By Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooks

On the trail of Yorkshire’s great country pubs, where walkers are welcome,
beer is in tip top condition and the food is hearty and wholesome.

Lister Arms, Malham, Malhamdale

Malham is undoubtedly one of Yorkshire’s most popular tourist honey-pots, up there with Haworth and Fountains Abbey. The reason people flock to Malham in their tens of thousands each year is to see Malham Cove, one of England’s natural wonders. In fact, as the keen geographers amongst you will know, the Malham area boasts the finest glacio-karst landscape in this country. In other words, there are some pretty spectacular limestone cliffs and valleys that were shaped by glacial meltwater during the last Ice Age. The immense rock face of Malham Cove was formed by movements in the earth's crust along the Mid Craven Fault millions of years ago which vertically displaced an immense slab of Great Scar Limestone over seventy metres upwards. After the last Ice Age, torrents of meltwater poured over the lip of Malham Cove to create an incredible waterfall higher than Niagara. As the ice melted and the ground warmed, this river found a new subterranean route thus leaving Watlowes valley ‘high and dry’. It is no wonder that so many people visit Malham, and the best way to see all of this is on foot.

I had arranged to meet two American travel writers to show them the sights. We sometimes take our countryside for granted, but when you experience it with someone who has never visited England before then it makes you very proud. I knew all would be well as I approached the Lister Arms, for this 18th Century coaching inn oozes character, with its ivy-clad facade and coat of arms above the door. We met at the bar and sat at a table near the log burning stove, whilst Elvis (my dog) sat attentively sniffing the air as food was served at nearby tables. It all felt very comfortable. The Americans had only been introduced to English ale two nights before and loved the complex flavours and, with four hand-pulled ales from Thwaites of Blackburn on offer, they asked my advice. As we were going for a walk, I recommended a pint of Wainwright (ABV 4.1%, £2.75 a pint), a light and fruity ale that is named after the great Lakeland fell-walker, whilst I plumped for a pint of Nutty Black (ABV 3.3%, £2.35 a pint), a deliciously dark mild ale packed full of roasted malt flavours. The minestrone soup (£3.95) arrived quickly; tasty and homemade with strands of spaghetti in it and topped by grated cheese; a meal in itself. Lunch over, we set off towards Malham Cove then followed the stone staircase steeply up to its top. The afternoon sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon, its faltering rays slanting across the valley far below highlighting an intricate web of fields and walls. We stood there in quiet contemplation taking in the view, for this was the English countryside at its very best.

Contact:
Lister Arms, Malham, North Yorkshire. Tel: 01729 830330

Opening Hours:
Open all day. Food served 12 – 3pm and 6 – 9pm during the winter months, all day Easter to October.

Food
A good range of food including Game Pie (£10:50), Steak & Kidney Pudding (£9:50) and 10oz Rump Steak (£13:95).

Real Ales
Choice of four hand-pulled ales from Thwaites Brewery, including Nutty Black (ABV 3.3%), Original Best Bitter (ABV 3.6%), Wainwright (ABV 4.1%) and Lancaster Bomber (ABV 4.4%).

Accommodation
9 rooms, from £28 per person per night (pets welcome).

Walkers Welcome?
Walkers and dogs welcome, with three bar areas and a separate dining room. The bar boasts many original features including an inglenook fireplace.

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews

2009-01-05T03:20:00.000-08:00

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews, as featured in the Yorkshire Post

By Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooks

On the trail of Yorkshire’s great country pubs, where walkers are welcome,
beer is in tip top condition and the food is hearty and wholesome.

Blue Bell Inn, Kettlewell, Wharfedale
If you, like me, love walking and pubs, then it doesn’t get much better than this. Kettlewell is perhaps the finest village in the Yorkshire Dales to indulge these two great passions. The village is surrounded by some of Yorkshire’s highest fells, including Great Whernside (704 metres) and Buckden Pike (702 metres), as well as the superb moorland ridge that separates Wharfedale from neighbouring Littondale. Classic routes radiate in every direction. Founded by a Viking chieftain over a millennium ago, its heyday was during the 18th and 19th centuries when lead mining flourished and the old stagecoach route from London to Richmond came this way. Thirteen inns helped slake the thirst of the market-goers, miners and travellers. Three inns have survived, whose names hark back to the romantic days of stagecoach travel, although I doubt whether the people travelling in the back of a horse-drawn coach being hauled up the notoriously steep hairpin bends of Park Rash behind the village would have viewed it as romantic travel; more bone-shaking and nerve-jangling.

I had just tackled the summit of Great Whernside, coming down via Great Hunters Sleets and Top Mere Road, the old monastic route used by the monks of Coverham Abbey to get to their lands around Kettlewell. After a knee-jerking mile along a track made up entirely of loose rocks, I was now in need of rest, recuperation and refreshment, and Elvis (my dog) was in need of a fireside snooze. But which pub should I choose? The exterior of a pub tells a story; if it is clean, well-maintained and weed-free then you can safely bet that the bar, cellar, toilets and kitchen will be pretty clean as well. And so I was drawn to the bright paintwork and hanging baskets of the Blue Bell Inn, an old coaching inn that dates back to 1680. It was quiet inside with just four other people, but there again it was 3:30pm on a Friday afternoon. I perched on a bar stool, whilst Elvis curled up beside the fire. The young lad behind the bar knew his Copper Dragon beers, which was a good thing for this is one of only a handful of pubs owned by the Skipton based brewery. Assured that it was their best seller, I ordered a pint of Copper Dragon Best Bitter (ABV 3.8%, £2:50 per pint) and a packet of crisps. No soup for me, as I had missed last orders for food by an hour and a half. I always think that country pubs should offer some type of food all day, something quick and easy such as pre-prepared sandwiches or soup. They are missing a trick. The beer was in good condition, full bodied and rounded with a rich amber colour, reminiscent of those classic Yorkshire bitters that used to be big name brands back in the 1980s and 90s, but long since closed down by some multinational brewer. And the crisps were, well, salty and crisp.

It was hard to leave the warm fireside, and even harder to drag a 30 kilo dog from his slumber but, tempting though it was, I could not justify sitting at the bar for two hours waiting for food service to resume. Judging by the steady trickle of people who came in to book a table for their evening meal, it is a popular place to eat. Perhaps next time I’ll plan my walk a bit better.

Contact:
Blue Bell Inn, Kettlewell, Wharfedale. Tel: 01756 760230

Opening Hours:
Open all day. Food served 12 – 2pm and 6 – 9pm.

Food
A good range of locally sourced food perfect for hungry walkers, including Steak & Copper Dragon Ale Pie £8:25; Local Shoulder of Lamb £13:95; Fresh Jumbo Haddock in homemade beer batter £8:50.

Real Ales
Choice of four hand-pulled ales from Copper Dragon Brewery at Skipton, including Black Gold (ABV 3.7%), Best Bitter (ABV 3.8%), Golden Pippin (ABV 3.9%) and IPA (ABV 4.4%).

Accommodation
6 rooms, £75 per room per night B&B.

Walkers Welcome?
Muddy boots and dogs welcome, with a cosy bar complete with quarry-tile floor, beamed ceiling and cast-iron stove set in a large stone fireplace.

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews

2009-01-05T03:15:00.000-08:00

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews, as featured in the Yorkshire Post

By Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooks

On the trail of Yorkshire’s great country pubs, where walkers are welcome,
beer is in tip top condition and the food is hearty and wholesome.

Bridge Inn, Grinton, Swaledale

I was coming to the end of a four hour walk across Grinton Moor, where the decaying remains of a once-flourishing lead mining industry lie abandoned across the rolling moorland with old workings and spoil heaps all around that tell of a time of great industrial activity, now forlorn and silent. Suitably tired and with fading light, I reached the village of Grinton beside the River Swale, where little windows of yellow light shone out from cold grey-stone cottages. What we needed now was rest and sustenance. I say we, as I was accompanied by Elvis, my German Shorthaired Pointer; hill-walker extraordinaire and pub fire aficionado. Do they, don’t they? The question went through my mind as I approached the door of the Bridge Inn. “We’re in luck, Elvis – muddy boots and dogs welcome.” After four hours traipsing through knee-high heather, the last thing I wanted to do was take off my walking boots and leave Elvis outside guarding them.

As I walked into the bar I was struck by how busy it was, for 6:30pm on a Monday evening. Several people were stood at the bar chatting away; a gamekeeper with his Labrador, a farmer and a couple of locals. I glanced round the bar. There were three or four tables of people waiting for food, a log fire glowed in the grate and there were a couple of other dogs masquerading as rugs lying flat out asleep on the carpet. I felt at home. Standing at right-angles to the bar I could not see the pump clips, so asked what beers they had. A local quickly interjected, “The Cereal Killer’s pretty good. It’s an organic wheat beer, brewed in North Yorkshire.” Well, how could I resist? But at 4.5% ABV I settled on half a pint (£1:40). The beer was well-kept and crystal clear with a sharp hop nose, but a little too bittersweet for my liking.

Now, I am of the firm opinion that you can judge the quality of food at a pub by its soup. Every pub sells soup, but not every pub serves really great soup. It’s a walker’s staple. Quick, warming, filling and reasonably priced – ideal food for the hills. Order placed, I found a quiet table near the fire for Elvis to warm himself and sat down, fascinated by the old photos on the walls. I was soon tucking into a bowl of homemade leek and celeriac soup (£3:50) and warm mini-baguette. The soup was piping hot and delicious, although the bowl could have been slightly bigger as I was left wanting more.

I had a wander around before I left. A door led through to a large dining room, with comfy leather sofas set around a coal fire, perfect for aperitifs, whilst on the other side of the bar steps led down to a traditional games room. This pub is geared up for walkers and wholeheartedly welcomes them. And there are a lot of them about, for Swaledale is a walkers’ paradise.

Contact:
Bridge Inn, Grinton, Richmond, North Yorkshire. Tel: 01748 884224

Opening Hours:
Open all day for food and drink.

Food
An extensive menu, all homemade using locally sourced produce, including Rack of Swaledale Lamb (£15:95), Belly Pork served on a stew of Lentils (£8:95), Steak and Ale Pie (£7:95) and Grinton Moor Grouse (£16:95), as well as homemade desserts (£4:50) including Liz’s Ginger Pudding and Rosé Wine Jelly.

Real Ales
Choice of four hand-pulled ales, including Jenning’s Cumberland Ale (ABV 4%) and Dark Mild (ABV 3.1%) plus two guest beers which, at the time of my visit, were Duchy Organic Ale (ABV 4.4%) and North Yorkshire Brewery’s Cereal Killer Organic wheat bitter (ABV 4.5%).

Accommodation
5 rooms, £72 mid-week and £76 weekends per room per night.

Walkers Welcome?
Muddy boots and dogs most welcome. Classic routes radiate in all directions, including Fremington Edge, Arkengarthdale, Marrick Abbey and Harkerside Moor. A number of long-distance routes pass this way including the Coast to Coast, Herriot Way and The Inn Way... to the Yorkshire Dales.

The Ale Trail - Pub Reviews

2009-01-05T03:11:00.000-08:00

The Ale Trail Pub Reviews, as featured in the Yorkshire Post

By Mark Reid, author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooks

New Inn, Appletreewick, Wharfedale

Most pub reviews celebrate the latest chic gastro-pub, with its pastel colours, place settings on all tables and ‘reduced jus’ menu blackboard. The vast majority of pubs don’t make the gastro-pub grade, but still offer excellent food and a warm welcome. And Yorkshire boasts some of the best country pubs in England; unique hostelries that are as much a part of the Yorkshire countryside as the hills and valleys. But all is not well. 36 pubs are closing every week in this country, and rural pubs are under threat as never before. Close the village pub and you rip the heart out of the community, with nowhere left to meet, celebrate or socialise and nowhere for visitors to experience local life. In order to safeguard this important part of our culture and heritage, it is a case of ‘use them or lose them’. So, I am on the trail of Yorkshire’s great country pubs, where walkers are welcome, beer is in tip top condition and the food is hearty and wholesome.

The sign outside proclaims ‘Hikers, Cyclists, Mountain Bikers, Horse Riders Welcome’, so it would be rude not to go in. After all, I’m on foot, it’s raining hard and I’m hungry. The New Inn at Appletreewick is geared up for the outdoor enthusiast, particularly if you’re into mountain biking for it is home to the World’s first mountain biking livery where you can safely store and repair your bike, ready to hit the trails of the Yorkshire Dales again. The walls of the pub are adorned with maps and snaps of mountain bikers, as well as fascinating old prints of ‘Aptrick’, as it’s known locally. The main bar is large and airy, with assorted tables and chairs, piped music and a smallish blackboard crammed with an extensive menu of snacks, mains and desserts, all reasonably priced. Sadly, the fire was not lit in the cast-iron stove, despite the onset of autumn outside; but still, the pub was warm and welcoming. I stood at the bar surveying the range of seven hand-pumps waiting patiently for service, when a local suggested I tap the bell. The barman instantly appeared and greeted me with a genuine smile. The beer selection was safe, reliable and local – no unknown micro beers here – and the barman knowledgeable. His description of Daleside’s Blonde (ABV 3.9%, £2:50 a pint), a light and hoppy brew with a hint of citrus, convinced me to try a pint, as well as a bowl of homemade roasted vegetable and tomato soup (£3:95). The beer was in excellent condition, just the right temperature and full of flavour, and before I’d had chance to blow the froth off my pint the soup arrived, piping hot, tasty and substantial. This is a genuine and unpretentious pub that is geared up for walkers and proud of its beer, where you feel comfortable even if dripping wet. I will be back, but next time I may just bike there.

Contact:
New Inn, Appletreewick, Skipton, North Yorkshire. Tel: 01756 720252

Opening Hours:
Open all day. Food served 12 noon until 9pm.

Food
An extensive range of food perfect for hungry walkers, including Home Roast Gammon Ham £9:95 and Local Kilnsey Trout £9:95. Choice of nine homemade desserts as well including Jam Roly Poly and Rhubarb Crumble, all £3:95.

Real Ales
Choice of seven hand-pulled ales from local brewers including Black Sheep, Daleside and Theakston’s as well as an extensive range of draught and bottled Belgium and Continental beers.

Accommodation
Six bedrooms - £65 per room per night.

Walkers Welcome?
Muddy boots and dogs welcome, with a tile and wood floor in the bar. Outside there is an extensive beer garden with views across Wharfedale. Appletreewick lies along the Dales Way, and great walks abound including Simon’s Seat, Troller’s Ghyll and riverside paths along the Wharfe.

WINTER OFFER

2008-12-26T10:43:00.001-08:00

WINTER OFFER - 2009

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As it's the season of goodwill, we are offering our customers 10% discount for orders over £15 and an amazing 15% discount for orders over £25 (excluding P&P charges - T&Cs apply, see website for details and discount coupon code).

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Upper Nidderdale, Yorkshire Dales, winter walk

2008-12-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

Upper Nidderdale

2 inches of snow overnight on Saturday transformed Upper Nidderdale in the Yorkshire Dales into a winter wonderland. At Pateley Bridge, just down the valley, the fields and hills were green, but beyond Lofthouse the snow gradually increased in depth to several inches on the high moors. It was a clear, cold day with great visibility and no-one else around.

We set off from the Yorkshire Water road near Lofthouse and climbed up to an old track at Thwaite House Farm, then followed this up through the valley, passing several old farms, to reach Scar House Reservoir dam. The water level was high and water was pouring across the overflow straight down the front of the dam wall - very impressive. That said, the riverbed was dry near Lofthouse, as the river almost always sinks at Manchester Hole and Goyden Pot unless there has been particularly heavy rain.

After crossing the dam wall, we followed the track up onto the moors before a gradual descent to Middlesmoor, with superb views down the valley towards Gouthwaite Reservoir. Got to the Crown at Middlesmoor at 3:10pm expecting it to be closed, but it was full of locals, the fire was roaring and the beer tasted great. Just a 30-min walk left in fading light back to the car.