As I have mentioned already, we had a mixed experience with our overnight stops. We found that breakfasts at a lot of the places were quite late which isn’t ideal, but at the other end of the day, so could the check in times, which was limiting. Again, in good weather neither of these points would have been a problem. We encountered surly attitudes more than once, along with a Scrooge like attitude, even towards such things as water and heat. Attempting (and succeeding on one occasion) to increase agreed room rates was particularly annoying.

To redress the balance we did find a couple of gems. The Yew Tree House B&B and The Foresters Arms in Grassington, Sunny Hills B&B in Burneside and the Dalesman in Sedbergh were good. No attitude and fine hospitality.

As mentioned already, one thing the B&Bs could do with which makes such a difference, is to offer a cup of tea or coffee along with a cake when you arrive. After you have walked many miles and are hot or wet or just plain weary, it really helps. This happened a few times on the South Downs Way and also on the Coast to Coast but only once (at Yew Tree House) on The Dales Way. Yes, they nearly all have a welcome tray and a kettle but it is the thought that counts and so appreciated after a long day.

We did struggle to keep warm in most of the B&B’s. We don’t have too much heat at home, so for us to be cold it really must have been cold.

Our accommodation was as follows:

	Day Zero – Ilkley – The Riverside Hotel - Pub
Position:	Half a mile from railway station Shop 200 yards - supermarket
Route:	100 yards from start
Positives:	Good quality rooms and facilities Good food, both breakfast and dinner
Negatives:	None
Stay again:	Yes
	Day 1 & 2 – Grassington – Yew Tree House – B&B
Position:	Just off the main square Shop (Spar) and pubs 200 yards
Route:	200 yards
Positives:	Very good quality rooms and facilities Good breakfast Eager to please without being too intrusive Tea and cake on arrival
Negatives:	None but most expensive accommodation of the trip
Stay again:	Yes, most definitely
	Day 3 – Low Raisgill – Low Raisgill – B&B
Position:	Remote farmhouse Pub 1½ miles back, no shops
Route:	Half mile
Positives:	A bed for the night
Negatives:	Too many to mention
Stay again:	No
	Day 4 – Cow Dub – The Sportsman Inn – Pub
Position:	Remote pub No shops
Route:	Directly on route
Positives:	Good quality bathrooms Good pub food and reasonably priced Adequate breakfast Table automatically reserved for quests for dinner
Negatives:	Room very small Bathroom although private not en-suite No shower head equipment to allow for hair washing Strange colour to the water Our booking price was not honoured Strange opening hours and food serving times
Stay again:	Probably – no other option
	Day 5 – Sedbergh – The Dalesman Inn – Pub
Position:	Centre of town Shops and pubs nearby
Route:	Half a mile from route
Positives:	Staff very welcoming Large room Good breakfast
Negatives:	Room and bathroom a little rough around the edges but it was a room reserved for walkers at a lower rate
Stay again:	Yes
	Day 6 – Burneside – Sunny Hills – B&B
Position:	Almost out of the village Shop, pub and chip shop half a mile away
Route:	Half a mile from route
Positives:	Good room and facilities Good breakfast with great views Good hosts
Negatives:	Position of the B&B, a bit out of the way Room was cold
Stay again:	Yes
	Day 7 – Windermere – Holly Lodge – Guest House
Position:	Centre of town Shops and pubs all nearby
Route:	One and a half miles from end
Positives:	Good room and facilities Good breakfast Ideal position if catching a train home
Negatives:	None
Stay again:	Yes

 

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