Dating from 1765 when the Hotel was known as Fothergills, The Golden Lion offers the very best of what a traditional family hotel stands for. With the kind of facilities often associated with much larger establishments. This complimented with a friendly relaxed atmosphere of which we are justifiably proud. We have fifteen tastefully furnished en-suite rooms, with views overlooking Leyburn and across to Middlehams race horse training gallops.

All rooms have television, telephones, radio, tea and coffee making facilities, with comfortable bathrooms.

We have a lift to all floors and this is of special use to our disabled guests with many of the rooms being specially adapted to their care.

Our restaurant (70 covers) which is decorated with murals of dales scenes painted by local artist Lynn Foster, is an ideal venue to entertain your friends. Our hotel is noted for its fine freshly prepared food of local origin. We offer a full range of menus from the a la carte and table d'hote menus of the dining room through to the informal bar snacks and afternoon teas of the Bar areas. Vegetarian and other diets are well catered for so please do not hesitate to ask. Our fully licensed bar with oak panelling and lounge seating serves a wide variety of drinks in an informal surrounding. An extensive wine list is also on offer. The Lion has good banqueting facilities with 80 seated and 150 buffet style, wedding reception, and celebration parties are a speciality, - please ask for details of this as well as conferences and seminars.

Location

Leyburn is the gateway to Wensleydale, a centre for crafts and the principal market towns of the dales: Indeed market day has been held on Fridays since Charles II granted Chapter in 1686.

Leyburn Shawl offers spendid views of the surrounding countryside with Penhill and Bishopdale to the west and the remote hills of Cleveland and Roseberry topping to the east. A gravel walk has seats at view points and visitors can see the famous Queens gap where Mary Queen of Scots was supposedly recaptured after escaping from Bolton Castle. The main roads Northalerton to Hawes (A684) and Ripon/Richmond (A6108) Intersect in Leyburn. The Market square is well listed for its well preserved Ancient Georgian Town plan. Even so it is a well established Shopping and Commercial Town with its own Tourist Information Centre.

Wensley is just two miles away with Richard III Castle at Middleham with its Racehorse Stables, (Known as the Newmarket of the North). Nearby Aysgarth falls, Coverham Abbey, and Jervaulx founded in 1156 give great character to the area with charming rural villages which are in close proximity to an abundance of unspoilt Moors, Dales and Fells.

York, Harrogate, Northallerton, Ripon and Darlington are just a short distance away. Richmond on the Swale with its winding lanes, streets and impressive castle is well worth a visit as is the Georgian Theatre.

There are many opportunities for leisure in the area with golf, fishing, trekking or just a walk in the countryside. Race lovers are spoilt for choice in Yorkshire with Catterick Racecourse being the closest.

A trip to Masham with its two breweries of theakstons and black sheep is a must for any Real Ale enthusiast. A visitors centre is open most days.

The Golden Lion is the ideal hotel from which to explore the Yorkshire Dales National Park. One of the few quality Hotels in the area, the Golden Lion is situated at the focal point of the dales, with their rich supply of natural beauty, folklore and history.