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Artisan market stalls on a Sedbergh street near Garsdale

Eating and Drinking

There is no pub in Garsdale itself, though there used to be. Garsdale Hall, near the centre of the dale close to St John's Church, was formerly a coaching inn called the George and Dragon, recorded as such in the 1851 census. At the top of the dale, Junction Cottage at Garsdale Head was once the Junction Inn. Both are now in private use. The dale's remoteness from pubs is part of its character, but there are good options within a short drive.

The Moorcock Inn

The Moorcock sits right at the head of the dale, at the junction of the A684 and B6259, just into Richmondshire — on the gateway to both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. It serves food and has accommodation, making it a useful base whether you are after a relaxing retreat or a walking holiday. Pub quiz nights have been a regular fixture on Tuesday evenings, and it is the closest thing Garsdale has to a local. Tel: 01969 667 488.

The Dandrymire Viaduct (also known as the Moorcock Viaduct) is visible from the pub and only a short walk away. With 12 arches, standing 50 feet high and 227 yards long, it is a spectacular sight and carries the Settle-Carlisle line, including regular steam-hauled services.

For those arriving by train at Garsdale Station, the Little White Bus runs a shuttle timed to meet arriving trains and will take you to the Moorcock and into Hawes. There is also a taxi service available from the B&B next door, taking up to 8 passengers. Telephone numbers for both services can be obtained from the Moorcock staff.

The Moorcock Inn, a whitewashed pub at Garsdale Head

The Green Dragon at Hardraw

A popular choice about fifteen minutes towards Hawes. The Green Dragon also has regular events and a music night on Wednesdays. Hardraw Force, one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in England, is accessed through the pub. There is a small entrance fee for the waterfall walk but it is well worth it, particularly after rain. Tel: 01969 667 392.

The ivy-covered Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw

The Cross Keys at Cautley

A 500-year-old National Trust temperance inn (no alcohol, though guests are welcome to bring their own, with glasses provided and no corkage charged). The food is good and the setting at the foot of Cautley Spout is beautiful — a natural fit for a wellness or retreat break. Tel: 01539 620 284.

The Cross Keys Temperance Inn below Yarlside at Cautley

The Sportsman's Inn at Cowgill

A family-owned 17th century Grade II listed country inn in Dentdale, accessible over the Coal Road past Garsdale Station. It sits on the Dales Way and is close to Dent station on the Settle-Carlisle Line. Tel: 015396 25282.

The Sportsman's Inn at Cowgill in Dentdale

More Nearby Pubs and Restaurants

Sedbergh and Hawes both offer a wider range of pubs, restaurants and cafes. See our Things To Do page for more recommendations.

Wensleydale Creamery at Hawes

The creamery at Hawes makes a cheese variety called "Garsdale" flavoured with garlic and chives, using milk that once came from Garsdale, Dent and Cautley farms via the former Farfield dairy near Sedbergh. The creamery shop and cheese experience are well worth a visit.

Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre sign at Hawes

Local Food

Wild garlic grows in the dale and is locally known as "ramps." In spring, it can be found along the riverbanks and in the woodland, and the smell is unmistakable.

In autumn, the harvest festivals at each of the dale's chapels often include a supper and sale of produce, which is a lovely community occasion if your visit coincides.

Cumbrian Food Traditions

Garsdale sits in Cumbria, and the county has a number of distinctive food traditions well worth seeking out during your stay.

Cumberland Sausage is the region's most famous product. In 2011 it was granted Protected Geographical Indication status — to carry the PGI mark, the sausage must be produced in Cumbria with at least 80% meat content, chopped rather than minced, and flavoured predominantly with pepper. It appears on most pub and cafe menus across the area and is an excellent choice for a barbecue at the cottage.

Kendal Mint Cake was first made in 1869 by Joseph Wiper in a small factory in Kendal. Prized for its energy-giving properties, it was included in the supplies for the 1953 Everest expedition and several polar expeditions. It remains a favourite with walkers and climbers and can be bought from shops in Kendal and Sedbergh.

Damsons are grown in the Lyth Valley south of Kendal. The orchards are a mass of white blossom in April and the fruit ripens in September, when it appears in local shops and roadside stalls. Damson gin, made from the fruit blended with London gin, is a popular local tipple.

Cumberland Rum Butter is a traditional recipe of lightly spiced butter with dark rum, usually served with Christmas pudding and mince pies. Historically it was also given with oatcakes to visitors who called to see a new baby.

Beyond Wensleydale, the region produces a range of cheeses including Kendal Crumbly, a tangy crumbly cheese good with a ploughman's lunch, Eden Valley Organic Brie made with Cumbrian organic milk, and Cumberland Farmhouse, a strong hard cheese that pairs well with a glass of wine.

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