The Red Lion: Unforgettable Escape to Burnsall Bliss

Bed And Breakfast | Country Pubs | Countryside | Dog Friendly | Family | Guest Article | Pub Accommodation | Romantic | Short Break | Staycation | Walking | Posted 2023.11.01

On the road to The Red Lion in Burnsall

As we drove to the The Red Lion – part of Daniel Thwaites – I was taken aback by how picturesque the scenery was. The winding roads which lead you to the pub are surrounded by a circle of magnificent fells, which make the journey all the more spectacular.

The pub itself is situated in Burnsall, a pretty little village in Wharfedale which lies on a bend of the River Wharfe. Although we arrived in the evening, I could tell the village had a quaintness to it, and I likened it to the ‘shire’ out of J.R.R Tolkien’s famous Lord of The Rings. Little stone houses and cafes dotted the streets, all of which were surrounded by the rolling hills in the background. The pub sat on the corner of the bridge with views across the green and river. Even from the outside, you could tell the pub had a cosy ambience, and we were eager to get inside and check the place out!

Accommodation at The Red Lion

We were greeted by Peter, General Manager of The Red Lion. He told us a little bit about the area and walked us to our room where we would be staying for the next two days. We stayed in the Signature Double Room in the newly refurbished Manor House, just around the corner from the pub entrance. Our room was beautifully decorated, and the interiors of the rooms reflected the colours of the surrounding Yorkshire landscape. The double room featured a large cosy bed with a brand-new smart TV, as well as tea and coffee making facilities. In the hallway of our suite was a modern bathroom featuring a large walk-in waterfall shower, complete with The White Company toiletries. Our toddler slept in the cot in the single room across the hallway, which featured modern bunk beds, a mini fridge, smart tv and dressing table. We were really impressed by how wonderfully designed the rooms were, considering both comfort and functionality.

Food at The Red Lion

Luckily, we had booked ourselves in for dinner on Friday night as the pub was already quite busy with hungry visitors by the time we arrived. We sat in one of the smaller dining rooms next to the bar which was heated by a cosy log-burning fire. I had been craving typical ‘pub grub’ all day and so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into my homemade steak and ale pie. My partner enjoyed sirloin steak with all the trimmings. We were both impressed at the children’s menu, as there was a selection of options for little and picky eaters – ranging from bangers and mash, tomato pasta, mini board, fish and fries and mini burger & chips.

In the morning, we were seated in the restaurant for breakfast. There was the option of Greek yoghurt, fruit and cereal, together with a selection of hot breakfast dishes. Breakfast is always my favourite part of going away, so I made the most of the yummy food on offer – starting with yoghurt and finishing with a full English breakfast. Whether you are a scrambled, fried or poached egg fan, you were given the option to have eggs however you preferred!

For our last meal at the pub, my partner and I both chose fish dishes off the menu. I had cod with boulangère potatoes off the Specials Menu which was absolutely delicious. Delicately cooked and served to perfection, I was thoroughly pleased with my choice. Our friendly waitress Jess gave us a warm and welcoming service throughout both mealtimes at the pub, whilst also suggesting ideas on things to see & do in the local area.

Exploring the local area

After breakfast on Saturday, we set off on a scenic walk to Applewick which is just down the road from the pub. As we had an all-terrain buggy, we decided to take the off-road route, and passed through open fields, woodland and over narrow bridges with views over the river. My daughter enjoyed seeing all the different farm life on route – passing sheep, cows, horses and donkeys!

Once we arrived to Applewick, we made a quick pitstop at The Craven Arms, a traditional 16^th pub overlooking Wharfedale. It was quite a cold day, so we welcomed the heat from the log-burning fires inside. Like many of the pubs in the area, there was a jolly atmosphere inside, and the pub was busy with ramblers and dog-walkers who had been on long hikes around the fells.

After a day of walking and exploring the local area, we were eager to head back to The Red Lion and enjoy a cold drink next to the roaring log fire in the snug area. We sat in the sofas next to the fireplace and made use of the numerous board games on offer at the pub.

A great dog-friendly pub

Whilst we don’t have a dog ourselves, it was clear to see why the pub was so popular among dog-owners. Four-legged friends were warmly greeted by all the staff at the pub, as well as given their own doggy beds to lounge on whilst in the bar and restaurant.

Review of our stay at The Red Lion

After a lovely two nights at the pub, we were sad to leave on Sunday. After another scrumptious breakfast, we checked out and embarked on our journey home. On our way back, we passed through Skipton, a historic market town not far from Burnsall. The cobbled streets are dotted with quaint cafes, shops, boutiques, and restaurants. However, the town is probably most famous for its 900-year-old Castle, which is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in England.

If you are considering a visit to the Yorkshire Dales, I would highly recommend a stay at The Red Lion in Burnsall. From the minute we stepped in, we were really impressed by the customer service we received at the pub. Everything from the friendly staff to the homecooked meals at breakfast and dinner. Our accommodation at The Manor House was nothing short of exceptional, evoking the kind of luxury you would expect to see at a boutique hotel. With the perfect blend of this charming pub and its idyllic setting, The Red Lion offers an ideal gateway to explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Dales for a few days.

 

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Written by Melanie Phipps

PR & Marketing Manager