Hetton, near Skipton · Inn
A Michelin-starred village inn near Skipton with beamed bedrooms across the lane, known for its cooking and a well-kept bar that still works as a pub.
The Angel stands in the small village of Hetton, five miles north of Skipton and a short drive from Grassington and Malham. Parts of the building are said to be over 500 years old, and it began life as a drovers' inn on the route down from the northern dales. It has been a serious food pub for decades and holds a Michelin star, but the front bar is still a bar, with local ale and people eating a single course at the counter.
Bedrooms are split between rooms above the inn and a converted house across the lane. They are comfortable rather than showy — oak beams, low ceilings in places, good linen, decent bathrooms — and the quieter ones are away from the road. Space varies, so check the room type if you want somewhere to spread out.
The kitchen works with Yorkshire producers and changes the menu with the seasons, offering both a carte and a tasting menu. Booking dinner is essential, often weeks ahead at weekends, and residents should reserve a table when they book the room rather than assuming one is held.
This is a good choice for couples on a food-led weekend and for anyone who wants the southern Dales within easy reach — Malham Cove is 20 minutes away, Bolton Abbey a little less. It is less suited to families with young children or to anyone wanting hotel facilities such as a pool or gym. There is parking on site, and the village itself is little more than a lane, which is exactly the point.