Hotels in Bentham

Bentham doesn't have a large hotel scene, and that's rather the point — what accommodation there is tends to be small, independently run and full of local character rather than corporate polish. The Black Bull Hotel on the high street is the obvious focal point, a traditional coaching inn with rooms above a working pub, useful for anyone who wants to walk back from dinner rather than drive. Beyond the town itself, expect a network of farmhouse bed and breakfasts and converted barn cottages scattered through the surrounding countryside, many offering the kind of quiet, unhurried welcome that's harder to find in the busier honeypot villages further into the Dales.

Because Bentham sits almost equidistant from the Dales, Bowland and the Lune valley, it suits visitors who want a single, well-placed base rather than moving accommodation as they explore different areas. Rooms here are generally better value than comparable options in Settle, Ingleton or the more heavily touristed Dales villages, without sacrificing much in the way of convenience — the A65 and the Bentham railway line both put Lancaster, Skipton and the wider region within easy reach. For a longer stay, self-catering cottages around Low Bentham and the surrounding farmland offer more space and the option to cook after a day on the fells, while those wanting a full range of hotel choice should treat Lancaster, around 25 minutes away, as the next step up.