Picture this: You’re pottering around some of the Yorkshire Dale’s finest hidden gems, partner and pup in tow in the knowledge that soon, you’ll be filling your tum with the dish crafted by Gods – the Sunday roast. A cuisine that no other could even hold a candle to, it’s the perfect way to re-energise after a long and wholesome hike – and we have just the places to find it. Here’s our guide to the best Sunday roasts in the Yorkshire Dales.
1. The Lister Arms, Malham
Conveniently located by Malham’s stunning natural wonders – Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss – The Lister Arms is not only home to one of the best pub gardens in the Dales, but one of the best roasts, too.
Consisting of a choice of different cuts of meat, massive Yorkshire Puddings, crispy roasties, seasonal veg and rich gravy, it’s the perfect way to end a big walk in the countryside. The Lister Arms, Malham, Skipton, BD23 4DB.
What’s it near to? 📍 Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss.
2. The Blue Lion, East Witton
A gorgeous 18th-century pub with ivy trailing on its exterior, The Blue Lion is the cosy sort of spot you’d expect from the rural countryside. Complete with its wooden, traditional interior, candlelit tables and cosy fireplace – there’s no better setting for a Sunday roast.
Think 28-day matured sirloin of Yorkshire beef, honey roast gammon and rolled shoulder of lamb – served with a proper Yorkshire Pudding, roasties, veggies and a boat-load of gravy. The Blue Lion Hotel Inn & Restaurant, Main Road, East Witton, Nr Leyburn, DL8 4SN.
What’s it near to? 📍 Jervaulx Abbey and The Forbidden Corner (a few minutes by car for both).
3. The Gamekeeper’s Inn, Skipton
Bright, airy and modern inside with a traditional stone exterior, The Gamekeeper’s Inn is a cosy spot tucked away within the Long Ashes Park complex, serving up a filling Sunday roast every weekend.
Served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, seasonal veggies and plenty of gravy, guests can choose from roast sirloin of beef, half a roast chicken, roast pork, roast gammon and a nut roast for the vegans. The Gamekeeper’s Inn, Long Ashes Park, Threshfield, Skipton, BD23 5PN.
What’s it near to? 📍 Within Long Ashes Park and close to Threshfield Quarry and Grassington.
4. The Fountaine Inn, Linton In Craven
Traditionally decorated for that proper pub feel, The Fountaine Inn can be discovered nearby to the lovely Linton Falls, just a short stroll away from the River Wharfe.
Serving up British pub classics by the week and Sunday roasts every weekend, the pub is the perfect pit stop after exploring Grassington and Linton Falls, offering meaty, vegan and veggie roasts for everyone to enjoy – with all the trimmings, of course. The Fountaine Inn, Linton, in BD23 5HJ.
What’s it near to? 📍 Linton Falls.
5. The Friar’s Head, Akebar Park
Technically just outside of the Yorkshire Dales, The Friar’s Head is just a matter of minutes away from the edge of the Dales, and just a short drive away from both Bedale and Jervaulx Abbey.
Every Sunday, the cosy pub – which offers a warm pub and bar area as well as a comfortable conservatory space and garden – serves plentiful options, including a trio of roasts, roast beef, gammon, turkey, butternut squash and lamb shank.
Each is accompanied by beef dripping roasties, a Yorkshire Pudding, new potatoes, roast veg and bottomless gravy, making it worth the trip out of the Dales alone. The Friar’s Head, Bedale, Leyburn, DL8 5LY.
What’s it near to? 📍 Bedale and Jervaulx (by car).
6. The Tan Hill Inn, Richmond
The famous Tan Hill Inn is the highest pub in Britain, standing 528m above sea level since the 17th-century. Rurally positioned on the Pennine Way, the traditional pub is a tourist attraction in itself, with many driving into the sticks to grab a cold pint and a slice of history.
On Sundays, guests can tuck into turkey, roast brisket beef, nut roast or a huge sausage stuffed into a Yorkshire Pudding – with tons of gravy, roasties, veggies and mashed potato served alongside. If that wasn’t all, the pub is even hosting private dining domes, too, so you can make the experience all the more special with views of the gorgeous Dales. The Tan Hill Inn, Long Causeway, Richmond, DL11 6ED.
What’s it near to? 📍 It’s on the Pennine Way.
7. Grassington House, Grassington
Located right on the square in Grassington, Grassington House is one of the village’s premium offerings, overlooking the idyllic cobbles and the hustle and bustle of the place.
Found within a stunning Georgian structure that oozes elegance, the restaurant is one of the more special places to eat – and their Sunday roast is no exception. Offering two courses or three, guests can enjoy a menu of Yorkshire beef rump, pork belly, hake fillet or confit celeriac, all served with dripping roasties, seasonal veg and gravy. Grassington House, 5 The Square, Grassington, Skipton, BD23 5AQ.
What’s it near to? 📍 Grassington, much of which was used as the set for the ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ Reboot.
8. The Saddle Room, Leyburn
Part of the same park as The Forbidden Corner, The Saddle Room is a brilliant pit stop for families to enjoy after exploring the curious attraction, with a traditional pub and barn feel, plenty of seating both indoor and out, and, of course, Yorkshire Puddings.
Every Sunday, expect succulent meat, creamy cauliflower cheese, seasonal veggies, super crispy roasties and lashings of gravy.
For the wine lovers, the restaurant is also home to a fantastic wine cellar, packed full of hand-picked wines that are sure to accompany your dinner perfectly. The Saddle Room, Tupgill Park Stables, Coverham, Leyburn, DL8 4TJ.
What’s it near to? 📍 The Forbidden Corner.
9. The Black Horse Hotel Restaurant, Grassington
Another wonderful spot in Grassington, this time, a little more casual – The Black Horse boasts a traditional pub exterior, with a cosy-yet-modern interior making it more welcoming than ever before.
The beers are cold, the wines refreshing, and the Sunday roast really hits the spot – with a locally sourced ‘roast of the day’ on offer every week. Paired with rosemary and garlic potatoes, new potatoes, caramelised carrots, seasonal greens and homemade Yorkshire Pudding, it’s a brilliant option after pottering around lovely Grassington. The Black Horse, 4 Garrs Ln, Grassington, Skipton, BD23 5AT.
What’s it near to? 📍 Grassington.
10. Marton Arms, Ingleton
Close by to the iconic Ingleton Waterfall Trail, the Marton Arms has been in action since the 1600s, and today, they’re still serving locals and passersby alike with tasty food with a ‘field to fork’ approach and, of course, nice cold pints.
But the best part has to be the Sunday roast, obviously, which provides a taste of the Dales with meat reared on a nearby farm and seasonal produce to accompany. Smothered in a rich, thick gravy – you’re onto a winner with this one if you’re in the area. Marton Arms, New Rd, Thornton in Lonsdale, Carnforth, LA6 3PB.
What’s it near to? 📍 The Ingleton Waterfall Trail.
11. The Golden Lion, Settle
A popular spot in Settle, The Golden Lion is a former 1600’s coaching inn, now transformed into a welcoming pub and restaurant. Offering a cosy bar area and a spacious modern restaurant, those exploring Settle or those who have recently conquered Pen-y-Ghent can stop by for a bit of pub fare – with roasts on the menu every Sunday.
The pub offers different cuts for guests to choose from, as well as proper Yorkshire Puddings, crispy roast potatoes, veggies and plenty of gravy. The Golden Lion, Duke St, Settle, BD24 9DU.
What’s it near to? 📍 Pen-y-Ghent.
12. The Devonshire Arms, Bolton Abbey
The Devonshire Arms is known for a lot of things. Its relaxing spa, its dog-friendly approach to its hotel, its location and lastly, its Sunday roast.
Served within its modern, bright and airy brasserie, each roast comes complete with all the trimmings – including tons of gravy to swamp your plate with. Located right on the Bolton Abbey estate, there’s no better place to fill your tum after taking on the Strid Wood, Valley of Desolation and the historic Abbey. The Devonshire Arms, Bolton Bridge, Skipton, BD23 6AJ.
What’s it near to? 📍 The historic Bolton Abbey estate.
13. The Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton
The well-known Wensleydale Heifer has made quite the name for itself with its five-star food offering, so naturally, they had to make sure a classic Sunday roast was on the menu. It wouldn’t be in the Yorkshire spirit otherwise, would it?
Located within the lovely West Witton, just a short drive away from Leyburn and Castle Bolton, guests can tuck into an exceptional Sunday roast crafted with the very best local produce – including 35 day aged roast sirloin of beef, roast pork belly and slow roast rump of lamb.
Each roast is served with Yorkshire Pudding, dripping roasties, butter mash, savoy cabbage, carrot and swede, cauliflower cheese, spring greens and gravy – making for a pretty filling experience for those who need a tasty refuel. The Wensleydale Heifer, Main St, West Witton, Leyburn, DL8 4LS.
What’s it near to? 📍 The Forbidden Corner and Castle Bolton.
14. Dalesman Country Inn, Sedbergh
Located within the Cumbrian Yorkshire Dales, The Dalesman is a beautifully decorated pub found in England’s Book Town, Sedbergh, with a welcoming beer garden, cosy cottage-style interior and homely pub menu.
Serving up Sunday lunch every single week, guests can chow down on roast galloway beef, roast leg of rough fell lamb or a nut roast of butternut squash – with Yorkshire puddings, carrot and swede, creamed green cabbage, spiced red cabbage, spring green veggies and, of course, tons of rich gravy.
It’s a fantastic spot to unwind in after exploring the town’s many book shops, with the River Rawthey running nearby for those who want a bit of peace and quiet afterwards. The Dalesman, Main St, Sedbergh, LA10 5BN.
What’s it near to? 📍 Sedbergh, England’s official Book Town.
Read more: 8 Of The Most Stunning Waterfalls In The Yorkshire Dales
