While on the TV and in the books James Herriot‘s life generally consisted of cows, helping cute dogs and plentiful countryside, when the vet coat came off, Alfred Wight liked to wine and dine. And it’s said there was one place, in particular, he liked to do just that.
Situated near West Witton, just a stone’s throw south of the River Ure, the Wensleydale Heifer is said to have been a favourite of Alf and his wife Joan, with the pair dining there often when visiting the Dales.
Celebrated for their best-of-British seafood and locally sourced produce, the Yorkshire Dales restaurant has been running for many a decade, mostly known as a pub before father-son duo Lewis and David Moss took on the newly-beloved restaurant almost 15 years ago.
Transforming the venue from a tired local pub to a dining destination that guests travel far and wide to visit, The Wensleydale Heifer boasts a seriously talented team – including chef Craig Keenan at the helm, alongside a string of pastry chefs, wine experts and even two in-house pooches who’ve lovingly been given the job titles ‘VIP Dog Concierge’ and ‘Junior VIP Sausage Tester’.
Embracing homely, countryside-style decor, guests can get cosy in the snug by the fire, perch by the bar or enjoy a special evening in the restaurant, before exploring the surrounding Yorkshire Dales, which, we all know, are acclaimed for their jaw-dropping beauty.
Naturally, it’s the menu that steals our heart the most – with ample seafood dishes including oysters, Whitby lobster, Cornish sole and posher takes on classics such as the Yorkshire-style fish supper and a mega filling Surf and Turf. Basically, it’s a seafood lover’s dream, flipping the weighting to favour tasty seafood over your average pub grub dishes.
For those who prefer something a little meatier, you can select something juicy from the land section of the menu – which is packed full of delicious, tender Northern beef, including Grand Reserve fillet, rib-eye, sirloin and more – all smothered in tasty sauces such as Madagascan green peppercorn cream, Madeira and white truffle jus or a Roquefort blue cheese sauce. We told you it was special.
Paying homage to former guest of honour Alf Wight, the pub and restaurant is also home to a number of themed rooms guests can stay in after overindulging in the restaurant, including the ‘All Creatures Great and Small‘ suite and a ‘James Herriot’ room, both of which are filled with James Herriot memorabilia – perfect for fans to have a nosy at and enjoy during their stay.
To find out more and book, head over to the website here.
[Featured image: The Wensleydale Heifer]
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