When looking for things to do in the Yorkshire Dales this summer, there is nothing better than, after a long walk and a day out in nature, than to sit and relax in a beer garden with a cold pint. There are plenty of fine Yorkshire Dales pubs to choose from, but one of our personal favourites is located in the stunning rural village of Hudswell – The George and Dragon.
Community Owned and Full of Local Spirit
Now a popular and iconic Yorkshire Dales pub, things haven’t always been so easy in its recent history. It closed in 2008, and as the village’s only pub, it left the community devastated, having lost not only a place to enjoy a drink but also a meeting place where people could enjoy each other’s company.
Not to be beaten, the village residents rallied round, saved the pub in 2010, and relaunched it as the first community-owned pub under Hudswell Community Pub Ltd. The pub reopened and once again became the centre of social life for the village, vital in small rural areas. It has also become highly popular with visitors, walkers, and cyclists seeking a warm welcome and excellent refreshments. Luckily for them, The George and Dragon offers both of these.
Far More Than Just a Regular Pub
The George and Dragon is everything you want from a Yorkshire Dales pub: it’s old-fashioned (in a good way!), has a roaring fire, is dog-friendly, and has friendly staff and regulars. It also has an incredible beer garden that provides breathtaking views over the Swale Valley, perfect for those warm summer days.
Award-winning Ales and Lip-Smacking Food
For anyone who loves real ale, this is the place for you. They are renowned for their fantastic range of cask beers coming from local and regional micro-breweries. Examples include Ruby Mild (Rudgate Brewery – York) and Falconer (Wensleydale Brewery).
They also offer up to 8 guest ales, which have featured excellent choices such as:
- Spring Bank (Roosters Brewing Co)
- Easy Going Assassin (Roosters Brewing Co)
- Infinity Land (Turning Point Brew Co).
Don’t just take our word for it on their passion for real ale; they are a five-time CAMRA award-winning pub.
If you are feeling hungry while enjoying your pint, they also serve classic, delicious pub fare using fresh, seasonal, and regional produce. Dishes include Yorkshire breakfast, steak and ale pie, pork and black pudding pie, fish and chips, and an excellent roast on a Sunday.
A Hub of Village Life
What makes it more than a pub? To support their local community, they offer a small local shop and a library inside the pub, allotments, and free internet access. Therefore, people get so much more from The George and Dragon than just great food and drink.
They even had a royal visit in 2016 from a certain King Charles (then Prince of Wales) as part of his support for the Prince’s Countryside Fund. The RCF looks to raise awareness of the benefits of local village pubs.
This iconic Yorkshire Dales pub has the perfect mix of a traditional drinking hole, community spirit, award-winning ales, delicious food, and views that will take your breath away. So, on your next trip to the Dales, make sure you stop in at The George and Dragon at Hudswell for a real Yorkshire experience.
Read More: 16 Of The Best Pubs To Visit In The Yorkshire Dales
Feature Image Credit: George & Dragon Hudswell
