The Wensleydale Heifer
West Witton, near Leyburn · Hotel
View on Google MapsPhoto: Wensleydale Heifer
Restaurant with rooms in West Witton, best known for its seafood kitchen and thirteen individually themed bedrooms in a seventeenth-century building.
Photos
Photos via Google
About The Wensleydale Heifer
The Wensleydale Heifer occupies a seventeenth-century building on the main street of West Witton, a linear village on the road between Leyburn and Aysgarth. It trades primarily as a restaurant with rooms and has built its reputation on something unexpected for a landlocked Dales village — a seafood kitchen, supplied daily from the coast, sitting alongside a grill menu of Yorkshire beef and lamb.
There are thirteen bedrooms, each decorated to a theme, which ranges from the gently done to the very committed: Gin, Chocolate, Champagne and James Bond among them. Beneath the styling the rooms are well equipped, with good beds, decent bathrooms and, in the larger ones, seating areas or roll-top baths. A separate self-contained cottage is available for guests wanting more space or bringing a dog.
Dining takes place across a more formal restaurant and a relaxed fish bar, with the same kitchen serving both. Lobster, crab, halibut and daily specials sit next to steaks and traditional puddings, and the fish and chips has a following of its own. Lunch and dinner are served daily with slightly later weekend sittings, and breakfast is included for residents. Booking is advisable as the restaurant draws diners from well beyond the village.
It suits couples and small groups who want good food without the formality of a fine-dining hotel, and it works as a base for Aysgarth Falls, Bolton Castle, Middleham and the drive over to Swaledale. The village itself is small and there is limited on-street parking, though the property has its own. Rates are mid-range and represent decent value given the standard of the kitchen.
Reception hours
- Monday
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Thursday
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Friday
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Sunday
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.
What guests say
This is a review of the restaurant rather than the hotel. This was our third visit and we would come more often but a 180 mile round trip for lunch can’t be a regular trip! The restaurant is absolutely lovely and all the staff so professional and friendly. There are 3 areas you can dine - we were in the main dining room on this occasion. This is such an elegant room with great decor. For lunch there is a large menu with meat and seafood dishes. In addition there is a ‘fish n chip’ menu which is the one we chose from. There’s a seafood and chip platter for 2 which looked great so this is what we ordered. You basically get a piece of battered haddock, sea bass, fish cake, battered prawns etc and chips, mushy peas and ‘fish shop’ curry sauce. This really is a great choice as all the seafood is so tasty. The peas are excellent, chips fairly good and the curry sauce great taste but too thin for our liking. It looks a sensible portion when it arrives (as it’s for 2) but it is a challenge to eat it all. Super dish but as they have so many great seafood dishes we will try something else next time. Thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and will try to be back soon!
a month ago · via Google
Found this place by accident! Called in at a pub at Aysgarth which had a power cut at the time so this was the first place we saw after. We had the most delicious meal. It was probably more than we were thinking of having and paying but it was well worth it. The food was beautifully presented and tasted wonderful. We had a good laugh at the artwork in the toilets too. Such a lucky find.
2 months ago · via Google
Ate here twice on our trip it was that good. The food, service, accommodation of dietary requirements - everything was excellent. Seafood was cooked to perfection every time. We had the fried squid, lobster sharing platter, salmon risotto, seafood pancake, and everything was delicious. Desserts were great too - we had the lemon posset/meringue/creme brûlée trio and the pina colada. Really great gluten free options too, suitable for coeliacs. Staff were really knowledgeable about allergens and accommodating.
4 months ago · via Google
Loved it. Highly recommend it! Food and staff were amazing! Cottage we stayed in was very nice too. Pet bed and bowls provided - my dog loved staying here. It felt better than at home!
2 months ago · via Google
Diners say this restaurant offers delicious, high-quality food, with many highlighting the perfectly cooked seafood, steaks, and Sunday roasts. They also mention the staff are friendly, attentive, and professional, providing excellent service. Guests appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and the establishment's ability to accommodate dietary needs.
Summary via Google
At a glance
- Address
- Main Street, West Witton, Leyburn, DL8 4LS Get directions
- Property type
- Hotel
- Location
- West Witton, near Leyburn
- Star rating
- 4 star
- Guest score
- 8.7 / 10 (950 reviews)
- Prices from
- £150 per night
- Good for children
- Yes
- Destination
- Yorkshire Dales