Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge, Coast to Coast
More Articles in the Clay Bank to Lion Inn subsection
Lion Inn from Cockpit Hill
Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge, Coast to Coast
The Lion Inn is located near the summit of Blakey Ridge and is a dominant feature perched, as it is, on the high Blakey ridge top with Farndale Valley to its west and Rosedale Valley to its east. This whole area is bestrewed with ancient burial cairns (round barrows), Bronze Age sacred crosses, disused iron and coal mines, disused 18th century railways, medieval churches and abbeys, bouldering sites, caves and windy pits. Quite apart from the Coast to Coast path being on its doorstep there are other notable nearby walks such as the Esk Valley Walk, the Farndale Daffodil Walk, and the Cleveland Way. The Rosedale Disused Railway is now a bridle path (mainly as a result of the efforts of Karl Briggs, now deceased (see Farndale Moor article)), which path can be reached via the rear exit of the car park.
Most Coast to Coasters break their day's walk here. The Inn is found at the foot of Cockpit Hill beneath the Blakey Howe Round Barrow. The influence of the Barrow introduces an air of mystery to the Inn, which of course is inhabited with its own friendly ghost. The Blakey Ridge path, south of the Inn and east of the road, is known as Sledge Shoe Bents.
Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge
Open fires burn in the old fireplaces providing a level of comfort and relaxation. There are 3 restaurants with menus that include vegetarian and vegan. The bar is well known for its selection of high quality real ales, including Black Sheep Best Bitter, Theakston's Best Bitter and the Inn's award winning Old Peculiar, Timothy Taylors Landlord and Thwaites Wainwright Bitter.
Lion Inn
There are 13 fully residential bedrooms, each one with their own character, and each equipped with TV and tea/coffee making facilities. Dogs are allowed into some of the bedrooms on prior request. There is also secure storage for bicycles.
Lion Inn from the Rear
The red tiled roof of one of the Lion Inn's outbuildings stands prominent from Blakey Ridge and can be seen some way off (about a mile) while walking the Coast to Coast path. On inclement days Coast to Coast walkers, on siting the distant hill top mirage of the Lion Inn, look forward to respite from the weather and a hearty meal and refreshments.
Lion Inn from Cockpit Hill
Blakey Howe is located only yards north of the Lion Inn. From it there are outstanding views across Rosedale to the east, Farndale to the west, along Blakey Ridge to the north and along Blakey Ridge to the south.
A Wintery Lion Inn, Front Aspect
Even in the deepest and coldest winters the Lion Inn is busy serving hot meals and ales throughout the day and evening.
Orion, Go Stargazing Site
The Lion Inn's car park is a Go Stargazing Site, and star gazing events are often held there for dark sky gazing and as an Aurora Borealis viewpoint. Light pollution levels are low in this area due to its distance from cities and towns. There is a large car park where it is safe to park. This is a good place to watch a meteor shower, to observe the moons of jupiter and saturn through binoculars, to observe obscure constellations near the horizon and to point a small telescope at some double stars or some of the objects in Messier's Catalogue.
Coast to Coast Trail Guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast
"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.
