Visit A Proper Country Pub

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A few years ago, Castleton - in the high North York Moors - had it's own pub crawl for those on foot - with the village being home to four bars.

There was the Moorlands Hotel at the top end of the village High Street; the Downe Arms in the middle of the village; the Robin Hood at the bottom of the High Street; and then the Eskdale, on its own in the Valley of the River Esk near the train station.

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Castleton is Surrounded by the Stunning Scenary of the North York Moors.

Nowadays, only the Downe Arms and the Eskdale survive.

I reviewed the Downe Arms last week (view the review here); so today is the turn of a drive to the Eskdale Inn.

The Eskdale Inn

The Eskdale remains a real "authentic" country pub.

And it is very popular with local farmers, game keepers and other's who work the land on the North York Moors around Castleton.

It may be a little bit "spit and sawdust" for the taste of some potential patrons; but none the worse for that in my view.

Besides being a popular "local" for the folks in Castleton, the Eskdale is also a popular meeting place for walkers and cyclists who are exploring the Moors.

Dog owners, day-trippers, and families out for a meal are all also made welcome.

Eskdale Inn

The Eskdale Inn in Castleton.

On Summer evenings, you'll often see the local Castleton cricket team and their opponents from other Moorland villages in attendance after a game.

And in Winter, you'll sometimes be faced with the pack of hounds from the local hunt, with horses and hunters in the car park.

In between, there are the darts teams and pool competitions which keep many-a-local going through these lean economic times.

It all makes for an interesting mix!

So the Eskdale is not some pretentious gastropub with cheesy music.

It's the real deal; offering a couple of hand-pulled Ales and simple home-cooked food with decent Yorkshire portions at reasonable prices.

They also have a nice beer-garden overlooking the River Esk which is always popular on days with the sun out.

The Eskdale is bacically open all day, every day and serves food all day too.

For people wanting to stay, they also offer a couple of rooms on a B+B basis.

For information and bookings telephone Karen at the Eskdale on 01287-660234.

Getting to the Eskdale

The Eskdale Inn (postcode = YO21 2EU) sits next to the Train Station in "Castleton Moor" on the Middlesbrough to Whitby line; so you don't even need to drive if coming from those directions.

For nearly everyone else, you'll find the pub at the bottom of Castleton Bank; and accessed from the A171 with a turn-off at Lockwood Beck Reservoir.

Castleton is about 10-miles distant from Rosella Cottage here in Rosedale Abbey.

Eskdale Sign Castleton

From Rosella Cottage, Just Follow the Sign for Castleton.

Take the New Way to the Blakey Road and turn right at the T-junction near Young Ralph's Cross.

Head down hill all the way to Castleton, and turn left just after passing the Downe Arms.

Cross the New Bridge over the River Esk and the pub is on your left before the railway bridge across the road.

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