6 Rosedale Abbey
Pickering, Y018 8RA
North Yorkshire, UK
This day out makes for a particular fun activity if the weather is inclement during your visit to the North York Moors; as most of the time can be spent indoors in Eight of our most historic country Inns.
The New York Times Recommended Yorkshire as the Best Place for Good Beer in the World!
But it is also lovely on a nice day because of all the fantastic scenary, points of interest along the way; and of course, some fantastic outdoor beer gardens!
Please note: the journey is not recommended in snowy or icy conditions as the high-moorland roads can be treacherous in Winter.
And please act responsibly - if there is to be the consumption of alcohol, you'll need a "designated driver" for this day out.
This 20-mile circuit drive takes you from Rosedale Abbey across the high North York Moors and through Farndale and Rosedale - two of the most scenic and spectacular Dales in the whole of Yorkshire.
The circuit starts and finishes from Rosella Cottage in the pretty hamlet of Rosedale Abbey (postcode = YO18 8RA) and can be completed in either direction.
The Pub Tour Takes in Seven Inns in Rosedale Abbey, Farndale, Hutton-le-Hole, Lastingham & Hartoft.
You'll get to visit the Lion Inn at Blakey, the Feversham Arms in Farndale, the Crown in Hutton-le-Hole, the Blacksmith's in Lastingham and the Blacksmith's in Hartoft; and the Coach House Inn, White Horse Farm Inn and Milburn Arms Hotel - all in Rosedale Abbey.
If you're fit and keen, the route can also be followed on a bicycle.
The first part of the route takes you to the Lion Inn (known locally as "the Blakey") way up above Rosedale on Blakey Ridge.
Leave Rosedale Abbey via the New Road heading up hill in a NNE direction.
The road twists and turns uphill for a couple of miles before emerging onto the high Moorland of the North York Moors.
After several miles, you'll arrive at a T-junction at Young Ralph's Cross and need to turn left here onto the Blakey Ridge Road.
It is worth a stop as there are fantastic 360° views from high up here on the Moors.
Ralph's Cross Sits on the High Moorland at Blakey Ridge above Rosedale Abbey.
A couple of miles further on you'll arrive at the Lion Inn on your right.
This pub is hundreds of years old; and standing at over 400 metres altitude; it is one of the hightest Inns in England.
After your visit, turn right out of the car park towards Hutton-le-Hole.
After about a mile on the Blakey Ridge Road, you'll turn right, following the sign for "Church Houses" and head steeply downhill descending Farndale Bank.
You'll drop down into the beautiful valley of the River Dove in Farndale for a visit to the Feversham Arms at Church Houses.
This is a lovely traditional country pub and a family favourite ever since my Aunty July and Uncle Andrew were landlords here in the 1970s.
The walk along the valley bottom from the Pub is World Famous for its show of yellow daffodils every Spring. Highly recommended!
From here, you'll drive virtually the whole length of Farndale to the tiny hamlet at Low Mills; and then leave the valley to come back to the high road across Blakey Ridge and drop down to the pretty village of Hutton-le-Hole.
Drive into Hutton-le-Hole for a visit to the award-winning Ryedale Folk Museum which makes a very interesting interlude.
Hutton-le-Hole is a Lovely Village and Home to the Ryedale Folk Museum.
You can also make am extra visit to the Crown Inn in the centre of the village.
After you've visited Hutton-le-Hole, you'll need to retrace your steps back to Moor Lane and follow the signpost towards Lastingham.
The Blacksmiths at Lastingham is a fantastic pub offering great bar food.
There is also a very interesting and historic old Church (St Cedds) directly oposit the Pub which is well worth a visit.
After a visit to Lastingham, you need to take Ings Lane and head towards Hartoft.
At the T-junction with Birk Head Lane, turn right; and then left after 200 metres to arrive a T-juntion with Moor Lane.
Turn left here to take you to another "Blacksmith's" - this time the Blacksmith's Arms at Hartoft.
The Blacksmiths at Hartoft offers a Great 'Fine Dining" Restaurant. Well-worth a Visit.
After your visit to Hartoft, turn right out of the carpark of the pub on to Pry Hills lane to take you up the valley of Rosedale and to arrive back into Rosedale Abbey.
You can now park the car or bike and take in the remaining three country pubs on foot; since all are close-by Rosella Cottage in the village.
Here you'll find the Coach House in the flat part of the valley on your right as you enter the village.
Turn left and head up the very steep Chimney Bank to arrive at the White Horse Farm Inn about half-way up.
There are tremendous views over the North York Moors from the beer garden of the White Horse.
Great Views from the Beer garden of the White Horse Farm Inn.
To complete your day out; walk back down into the village and pay a visit to the Milburn Arms Hote which will re-open for business after a renovation at Easter 2014.
This Inn is directly opposite Rosella Cottage; and so makes an ideal place for a night-cap before bedtime!
10 Rose & Crown Yard
Off Flower Gate, Whitby
North Yorkshire, Y021 3BE