The White Lion Inn in Craven

We had a wonderful 4 days break staying here. Chris and Helenka are wonderful hosts. They said they liked people to arrive as guests and leave as friends and that is exactly as it felt. Amazing location with wonderful walks, delicious food, cosy fires and comfortable, well appointed rooms.

In a rustic valley in the middle of nowhere you’ll find this pub with an amazing restaurant. It’s definitively worth the effort to travel to. You won’t be disappointed with the food, which is outstandingly good. The service from the staff is excellent too. Plus it’s dog friendly (as you would expect in the deepest Yorkshire Dales). It’s popular with residents and visitors alike, but I suggest you book ahead as ‘the word is out’ and it’s a place not to be missed. The menu was varied and it was difficult to choose the best option. However, six of us ate there and everyone came away delighted and would happily return one day.

The cook is really very good. This is one of the best gastronomic experiences you will get in Yorkshire. So come whilst this team is still in place.

The pub is in a lovely location. However, unfortunately, we didn't feel welcome. We had a quick drink and decided to move on.

Visited the area very recently and have been to the INN/Pub before.On arrival requested a drink which was reluctantly served to me as I was told that they would not normally serve just drinks as they were busy with diners.The place was not busy at all having worked in the industry in Windermere I know what a busy restaurant looks like.After sitting outside as I did not feel welcome enough to sit inside and finishing the first drink I requested another and was told no we are busy with diners .Yet again the place was not busy and was a little confused as to why a place advertised as the best pub in the Dales refused myself and my fiance a drink I am not quite sure what they were expecting us to ask for.It was a relief that we did not have another as the smell of the septic tank was starting to drift over towards us.This is probably the most unwelcoming place that we have ever visited.A pub that does not serve drinks is quite astonishing could the owner perhaps explain why to save others from the awful experience we had there.

We ate here as recommended and we have eaten once before . The landlord was very helpful changing part of my dish , swapping the pasta for potato . Adding a syrup to my Prosecco making even more delicious. The muse bouche was yummy along with our main courses of fillet steak ( cooked to perfection) and the halibut with sweet potatoe dauphinois 😉 it fairly expensive but for special occasions it’s nice to indulge. In my eyes worth every penny . THANKYOU 🤗

Young inn owners, Chris and Helinka, were very accommodating for our 2 night stay. Clean room with comfortable bed, delicious meals. and beautiful surrounding. We were stranded at this inn due to the tire problem of our rent-a-car. Chris arranged a replacement and service in the most efficient and quickest way to get us back on the road. This unfortunate incident caused them to accommodate us an extra night even though they were closed for that day. They both went far beyond their kindness and hospitality.

Really enjoyed our time at the White Lion. Very friendly owner, beautiful clean room and glorious countryside. Our meal was cooked to perfection. Beautifully served with ample proportions. If anyone is looking for a relaxing evening, thus is the place for you.

This was our 1st visit to the White Lion Inn with friends who love to stay at the Inn. We had a fabulous 2 night stay. The accommodation is lovely, great hospitality and the most amazing food.

Visited today whilst out walking we ordered a couple of meals, fish and chips, beef sandwich which came with chips. When they arrived the chips with beef were salted which I don't take on asking for some unsalted chips the server who apparently was the manager stated that I should have told them I didn't want salt when I ordered as everyone takes salt. My wife's fish and chips were also covered in salt which fortunately she uses. Eventually the chips were exchanged although the server made me feel in the wrong at £15 per meal I would expect better service, why have salt seller on table if everything comes out of kitchen smothered

The Tuna tartare was delicious. The steak was cooked to perfection. We had three deserts between five of us; all were original, creative and exciting. This is a pub that clearly has a superb chef. Well done indeed.

We initially visited to have a quick drink while were having a drive up the dale and were lucky to be offered a vacant table so we decided to eat. Excellent meal and very friendly service, we will definitely visit again!.

After an exhiliaring 12k+ walk around Buckden Pike & beyond - we settled into the White Lion Inn - lovely room sufficient for our needs and walked over the road to a small stream/beck : sat down and opened the fizz! This is a beautiful picturesque setting. Dinner was 1st class - seriously outstandingly presented & super delicious food : 100% compliments to the chef. The only negative was the service by the female - very abrupt, not friendly at all, maybe it was just a 'bad day' random to work in a customer facing environment and not be customer friendly! WE however had a great time in our small group.

Called in during a walk on a gorgeous sunny day; sat outside watching the world go by- idyllic location, friendly service and great food. Particularly impressed by the carrot and coriander soup, it was perfection! Refreshing glass of chilled sauvignon blanc and I went happily on my way. Will definitely return and look forward to doing so.

We had the pleasure of staying here for the first stop on our UK road trip. We had a bright, fresh and clean room with an exquisite view of the Yorkshire Dales. Evening Dinner in the restaurant was wonderful, followed by a superb breakfast that is the perfect start to a days walking. Staff are very welcoming and friendly. We will definitely be retuning!

We had the pleasure of staying in this lovely little Inn last night. Our room was great, very comfortable and cosey bigger than we thought it would be. Owners were very welcoming and friendly and took time to chat to all the guests. Food was...

We had a lovely snack lunch in the front of the pub, served with white linen napkins. It was overlooking the road, but not too noisy and it was more interesting than sitting inside, especially on a hot, sunny day.

delicious food served by great staff, small pub in the rural countryside but excellent fresh local dishes

Great food served beside a roaring fire, in this old inn. My wife had the Venison and Rhubarb and Ginger Panacotta, which she loved. I had the game roast and sticky toffee pudding.Wonderful

Such a warm welcoming place to stay! We stayed for 3 nights in October and definitely had the tastiest food I have eaten in a long time! When we arrived at night we realised we were in the middle of ‘nowhere’ but woke up the...

This 400 year old inn sits offers a roaring fire and a great welcome. Set alongside waterfalls and rushing streams, the food is very good, fresh and you won’t leave hungry! The service is friendly and attentive whilst leaving you to relax and just enjoy...

Top notch friendly service, amazing food, lovely vibe and awesome real fire. Really looked after us following a 20 mile charity hike. Couldn't have chosen a better place to spend our evening and i will certainly be back for a longer stay and more food!

One of the best meals I’ve had in months! Fresh, looked amazing and tasted even better! Service was exceptional. An absolute hidden gem of a place . Cannot wait to go back ❤️

This is a true Dales pub with stone flags and real fire. We had happy memories of stopping there on a previous summer walk and called again for lunch yesterday. A warm welcome and excellent if limited pub food. I recommend the fish pie at...

Beautiful pub with excellent food and friendly staff. We had decided to make this our pit stop on our walk and emailed the evening before to make sure we weren't disappointed 🙂 Would definitely recommend 👌

My wife and I had a two night stay here at the beginning of October. I had a feeling after looking at the White Lion website that this would be an enjoyable stay and I was not disappointed. Covid guidelines were followed explicitly. Our room...

We enjoyed everything about the White Lion Inn, Chris was an excellent host. The food was of fine dining standard but modestly priced. Place is full of character and has an excellent atmosphere. Breakfast was also amazing. We will be back!

Old pub with character at the foot of Buckden Pike. Excellent tasty meal , soup followed by lamb cutlets/ lemon infused chicken with a shared eton mess. Well presented and all round enjoyable. However, few days later the main server whom I guess is one...

Stayed on 2 ocassions within the space of 2 months. Will not be the last. Everything about this place is excellent. The rooms are spotless the food outstanding. The owners are the most friendly and welcoming people you could ever meet. Nothing was to much...

We've met Chris the owner once a few years ago when he was a guest at our daughter's wedding. He seemed an interesting character and so we decided to hunt him down as we have a caravan about 10 miles away. Amazingly, he recognised us,...

I have never had such a bad pub experience - ever. Having ordered and paid for 12 drinks with family and (young adult) kids, it transpired when I got to the garden that only 11 had been poured. Without equivocation, the manager/owner accused me of...

A wonderful evening meal at the White Lion at Cray in the Yorkshire Dales. The food was fresh, superbly cooked and very well presented. Our starter was the smoked mackerel scotch egg and this was exceptional, for main course we had a filling and very...

Visited the day they re opened after COVID lockdown, Set off walking from buckden and up to the pike, weather was awful but had booked a table to stop off at the pub on our way round. We were warmly welcomed by the staff as...

Took my parents for lunch yesterday- this is the first time for them, and the first time I’ve had a three course meal rather than one. Normally I’d be here on for a quick lunch on the fabulous circular walk from Buckden round through Yockenthwaite...

Having spent a few hours walking we were looking forward to food & drink at the pub. Turned up at 13:45 to find the place closed. While we were there two other couples arrived and left disappointed.

Called in for a quick sandwich lunch and found that we were the only customers. The fire was topped up by the barmaid so we were lovely and cosy. Our sandwiches and chips were tasty but it was disappointing that it took 30 minutes for...

Stopped whilst on circular walk, extremely welcoming staff. Cosy atmosphere inside. Great selection on menu. We opted for the roast beef and the haddock 'Ultimate sandwich' at £12 which were well worth it. Came with huge onion rings and probably the best chips I have...

Excellent food and service at this Dales country pub. Smoked Mackerel Scotch Egg was superb and the main course of Pork and Black Pudding equally great. Definitely worth a drive out. Some great walking nearby too.

Really great food. The staff are friendly and efficient. The dining room is fairly small but not over packed with seating. There is a side room with lovely sofas and chairs. I’ve eaten at lots of pubs in the area and this has been the...

This pretty little Inn came into sight just as we were starting to think about stopping for a bite to eat. Seemingly moments after we stuck our heads in to check they were Ok with dogs (which they were) we found ourselves sat in front...

Every meal we had here was just right, good food, nicely presented and served in a timely fashion. My only reservation is that the breakfast menu could be expanded, it’s a little limited which could be an issue for a long stay. Nevertheless, a great...

Called in for a quick half during a hike with my wife. The drink was very refreshing but the pub seemed to lack a bit of atmosphere and didn't make us feel like coming back for a meal

We were booked in here by the travel company who arranged our walking holiday along the Dales Way and wow what a fantastic surprise. This pub is a genuine hidden gem we had a lovely lean and cosy room full of character. Our evening meal...

When you arrive don't be put off by the basic look of the interior - wooden tables and odd chairs etc. The food is great! Chicken liver pate was smooth and creamy. Lemon infused chicken was well cooked and really tasty. Shitake mushroom was good....