Tuesday Treats 120: The Orange Tree Hotel & Freehouse

Your once-a-week dose of retail therapy from Singletrack’s Premier Dealers, stockists and advertisers:

Tuesday Treats gives you a quality serving of independent bike retailing and a chance to win big in this week’s prize draw!

This week, we revisit The Orange Tree & Freehouse.

Today, we’re revisiting one of those amazing places, inclusive of quality setting, a warm welcome, MTB friendly accommodation and they serve their own beers! Kirkby Lonsdale’s The Orange Tree provides the update and some very generous, reader exclusive offers! …

We are a social hub in the town of Kirkby Lonsdale, offering riders (and non riders of course), a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy, eat and be refreshed whether to savour one of our superbly brewed beers with mates, our traditional pub fayre, or staying over for a night or two.

What’s changed in the last year?

We have been very focussed on making our MTB Biking Breaks (ride, refresh, relax, stay, ride … repeat) a big part of future plans, by investing in bike wash and storage facilities for staying guests.

In addition, our in-house guide is British Cycling Level 2 Mountainbike Leadership qualified, with outdoor first aid training dusted for any adverse eventualities. We have extensive knowledge of the area for guided rides, or can map you for exploring at your leisure. Everything you need to know is here, so get planning your perfect trip with us.

Our surrounding landscape is perfect for all riding types

Being based in a central location for the Lakes/Dales/Pennines, we offer superb and varied terrain riding from the doorstep or other options just a short drive away. We also have a range of tourist destinations close by, including White Scar and Clapham Caves, Ingleton Waterfalls walk, with Devils Bridge and river walk in Kirkby Lonsdale itself.

Had any notable visitors drop in lately?

You can be sure you’re among friends here and you don’t need to take our word for it. The riding and hospitality is so good around here, we’ve recently had World Enduro Champ Tracy Moseley drop in for a pint 😉

How do you think you are able to retain that special customer care?

We’re gradually building a solid reputation as the go to place for visitors to the town. Part of the appeal we think is that as we are a family run affair, with Plug (the old man) Stu (the son) and Kate (the daughter) at the helm, there is a clear ethos to how we do business. We have been running the ship since 1996 which is pretty unusual in this day and age of increasing shutting down and reopening pubs. We employ a young team of staff (except Elvis the bar manager), to help us keep all our customers happy.

Main man Stu in his ‘other’ natural habitat

We are known locally for our awesome burgers, fandabidosie sizzling steaks… mmmm and our wide range of beers. We serve four beers in rotation from our very own Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery and guest beers from around the country.

What’s the latest, all things Kirkby?

We’re over on Facebook and Twitter and if the social media doesn’t get to you, what with the joys of living in a small town everyone knows everything about everyone here, it’s only a matter of time.

Is there a regular shop ride or forthcoming event you think our readers should know about?

We have a regular ride out on a Thursday night with a group of between 5-10 of us, who get out in our local area, rain or shine and with the all essential liquid carbs to finish back in The Orange Tree. It might be nice to get that video out again just to show off the locality! (O.K then, Ed.)