We’re having a weekend at the Forest Holidays lodges above Pickering soon. Last time we did this we had a drive up Rosedale to come round to The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge. We could do that again as it’s an amazing spot, but in the interest of not repeating ourselves, any other suggestions.
Been going to the Lion Inn for over 40 years, hard to beat. I've got a photo of 1-year-old me sat on the stone lion outside the entrance. 😆
The Middleton Arms near Pickering gets a good rep. The Fox & Rabbit near Dalby Forest is ok too. The Feversham Arms in Church Houses is a great location although not tried the food there for a few times (last time was good though).
Last week we ate at the Feathers in Helmsey
We thought it was great. My son is a chef and his GF use to run front off house in the same restaurant. They were impressed too
Thanks everyone, Blacksmiths Arms looks good, and only a couple of miles from the lodges. Farndale is lovely when the daffodils are out, but too early in the season. We might just drive up to the northern moors around Castleton and Westerdale and come back over Chop Gate. We’ll see what the weather is doing on the day too.
The Buck in Chop Gate was always worth a stop in, but I haven't been for a while - it would be a good stop on your route, just bear in mind it's only open Wed - Sun
I'm not sure if you have driven that road before (Stokesley -> Helsmley) but at the top of Clay Bank there is car park worth stopping at with some great views.
I can't believe it's not been offered already -
The Slaughtered Lamb...?
Blacksmiths (as mentioned above) is one of my favourites in the area. Lastingham is lovely.
Feathers also is ace for food.
The Coach House Inn in Rosedale Abbey is a cracking pub. Lovely food, not a massive menu but what they do they do well. A decent ale selection too.
If you're going north my favourite is https://www.theeskdale.co.uk/
It's more of a restaurant and the food is really good, but works as a posh pub too. One of our regular spots for a meal out which is why I didn't feel too bad last summer when a few of us called in utterly saturated riding across the moors to the coast, pools of water spreading from under the bar stools . They brought us towels as well as chips etc. lifesaver.
Another vote for the Fox and Rabbit, but their sister pub, The Horseshoe at Levisham is even lovelier. It's in a "Postcard standard" moors village, with access to great walks and rides along the wolds valleys.
https://www.horseshoelevisham.co.uk/
The Welly at Danby usually has decent pub food. The Buck at Chop Yat was up for sale. The landlord has (or had) a reputation for being variable, i.e. sometimes great sometimes a lot less so.
The Fox and Hounds at Ainthorpe (over the beck from Danby proper) always has decent food. If heading Chop Yat direction then the Dudley Arms at Ingleby Greenhow (N. Side of the hill) is good.