POSTED SEPTEMBER 2009

Mark,

"My son and I competed The Inn Way on Saturday walking from Reeth back to West Burton. We thought it was going to be a stroll ie 11 miles but it turned out to be the hardest thing that I've ever done. Walking into gale force winds on Greets Hill was like walking into a brick wall! Anyway, we managed to make it thanks to my son egging me on. The pot of tea and cake at Bolton Castle was the best I have ever tasted. I would also say that if I had not completed your Navigation Skills course I would have been in serious difficulties on the Grassington to Buckden leg of the walk as we ran into very low visability at the top of Birks Fell. The course was a life saver and I would strongly recommend it to anyone contemplating serious walking. Thanks once again."

Regards and best wishes.

Peter Woodley

Posted August 2009
"Hi Mark, You may remember meeting my friend Dick and I on the way to the Falcon Inn at Arncliffe last Saturday with your group. We completed the walk as scheduled and had a great time. The guide really helped, both in terms of directions and facilities. A couple of things occurred to us - firstly as hungry walkers, tea shops were almost as important to us as pubs - so the lovely Ryedale Jam shop and team rooms at Stalling Busk, Cakewalk in Askrigg, the cafe in Castle Bolton and Zafina's in Kettlewell all scored very high marks with us. Most of the pubs were great. As the week went by we seemed to increase the beer consumption, lots of Black Sheep and special mention to Copper Dragon's Golden Pippen. We could have done with more waymarks on the way, and got lost a few times - firstly after the waterfall past Gunnerside we lost the signage, and again went wrong on the descent into Reeth. Perhaps a few Inn Way stickers in key places would help. The other issue is the lack of cash points, which could make things tricky if you didnt have a cheque book. A cash machine in Reeth would I am sure get plenty of use from walkers, and probably put more money into the local economy. By the way we met up and walked with two groups, one including the amazing Stan, who will be 90 this year. He walked the entire Inn Way, and seemed as fit as those several decades younger. Next year we are planning a Peak District walk with two guys we met last week, Ian and Rob. We whiled away many miles dreaming up weird and obscure sports trivia questions. Thanks for providing the inspiration for our walk."

Posted August 2009
"Many thanks for an excellent guide to the walk - the research you put into it pays off. Great instructions (particularly the don't do the following in brackets). We also managed to find some excellent company - our two walkers had grown into an 8 x Inn Wayer's meal by Kettlewell. Peak District next year."

Posted August 2009
"Just to let you know myself and a mate walked the Inn Way to the Yorkshire Dales last week and had a great time with fabulous weather for our 6 days. Managed to get 19 of the 26 pubs done so, all in all, a great walk. Guide book was great and used loads of your detailed descriptions. Didnt get lost execpt once on morning out of Kettlewell, only a minor detour. See what happens when you give your walking companion the guidebook for once! Hoping to do the Inn Way to the Lake District in 2010 and will order it when get planning in the Autumn"

Posted September 2008
"Hi Mark, Last year we walked the Inn Way to the Lake District, and put up a website showing many of our photos, details on the pubs and places we stayed (http://ldinnway07.blogspot.com) This year we have walked both the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland Ways. We have just finished the web site report for the Yorkshire Dales one - you can read it at http://yorkshiredalesinnway.blogspot.com/ Northumberland should follow in a few weeks, we are just sorting through all of our photos at the moment! Thanks again for these wonderful walks. Northumberland was a really different area that we had never explored before."

Posted August 2008
"Just to let you know that we made it back safely after a wonderful week's walking. Do you remember meeting us at Cray? You said that we had a great day's walking ahead of us, and you were not mistaken. We stopped for a coffee in the old school house in the little village just above Semerwater, and watched the video about the guy re-building dry stone walls and making a living by cooking and bottling jam. As we were carrying all our gear we did not buy any but promised to return one day - and we will. After a drink in Bainbridge we carried on to Worton. What a pub. The inside looked like Steptoe's yard. As we got there, the Landlord (his son as it turned out), was digging in to a plate of fish and chips. I said we would wait until he had finished. Without washing his hands (he was eating with his fingers), he served us a decent drop of cider. We ended up at the Kings Arms in Askrigg, and learned all about the Holiday Property Bond development. Good or bad news for the village? The next day we made it over the hill before the rains came, but then the walk to Reeth was very wet indeed - the only real rain we had all week. Lunch the next day at Castle Bolton after a breezy mornings walk, then a pint in the pub facing the car park above the church in Aysgarth - can't remember its name. The proper pub on the main road was shut. We loved West Burton. The waterfalls there were a real treat, as was the Grange. Very nice. We could easily have fallen out with the landlord at Horsehouse - a ridiculous wait for minimal food. The long road section was rewarded by fantastic views at the top backwards and towards Wharfedale. We enjoyed the Bistro in Kettlewell, as we were there on a Saturday. Excellent B&B - Little Beck. We went wrong somewhere near the Lead mine workings on the last day, but having a map meant this was not really a problem. The meal in Linton at the Fountaine was the favourite of the trip. Lunch most days was cheese and oatmeal biscuits if nothing else was available. We managed to eat reasonably well every night. The local economy benefitted by around a grand for the week. Just think of the impact your books are having across the region! We certainly would not have done the walk had it not been for the Inn Way. Next year: The Peak District"

Posted July 2008
"We were given a copy of The Inn Way as a Christmas present and were told we must do it. What a brilliant present it was! The weather was not good – wind (including gales on the first day) and rain, but we still enjoyed it. We decided we would definitely go back to see some of the views in the sunshine."

"A couple of comments on the walk: The instructions in the book were clear and easy to follow. We did have OS maps with us. Accommodation, a mixture of B&Bs and pubs, was excellent. We encountered a wonderful Yorkshire saying, which I thought you might appreciate; “It’s all downhill from here, apart from the up bits”. We appreciated the background informaiotn in the book. Al in all an excellent book and a wonderful walk. Thank you."

Posted April 2007
"The walk was completed between the 23rd of April and 28th April 2007. It was done carrying a full back pack with tent, sleeping bag, mat and everything else needed for a week on the hills. Carrying the pack made some of the ascents quite ‘interesting’, especially over Birks Fell in the driving wind and rain. The week was a challenge which both my friend and I really enjoyed. The idea was spawned after a drink in the Racehorses Hotel at Kettlewell during a family camping trip when The Inn Way sign was first noticed. Then months later all the planning and talking was soon upon us and The Inn Way had begun. The scenery in each valley, the friendly pubs, the friendly locals, the excellent bees, the enjoyable walking and towards the end of the week the weather all made towards a fantastic trip. "

"Some highlights were: the Thwaite Arms, perfectly framed between the houses as you come down the footpath into the village. This is now acknowledged as being the Best Pub in the World. It used to be the Falcon but it has now been knocked down to a close second! Pitching our tent behind the back wall of the beer garden at the Crown Inn, Askrigg after asking if there was anywhere nearby to camp. The best pint of ale we had was also in the first and last pub we visited – The Black Horse Hotel at Grassington. By the end of The Inn Way we didn’t refer the book half as much as we sussed out that if there was a path that went up that would be ours. However, all the puffing and panting was all worth while when we got to the top of our hill as the views were memorable. Birks Fell, Greets Hill and Stake Moss spring to mind. Peace and quiet wherever we went. The only time we really saw people was at the end of the day and on Saturday at the end of the Way. The Thwaite Arms, the White Lion, the Black Horse, the Falcon, the Fountaine and the Racehorses all stand out from a great choice of pubs."

"So Mark I thank you for introducing me to The Inn Way and I now have to think about which one to plan next."

Posted April 2007
"I completed the walk betweenb Monday 23rd anbd Saturday 28th April 2007. I would just like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on a fantastic book. That was probably one of (if not) the best walks I have done and could not have asked for better scenery, friendlier locals and of course finer ales! As a born and bred Wiganer, the old banter and rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire was at the back of my mind but I challenge anyone to walk the Dales and not find the people friendly, welcoming and hospitable. We decided to tent it rather than B&B and had absolutely no problems in finding places to pitch with landlords, farmers and people in general offering or suggesting fields. It was a trip that has left many memories that I'm sure will last for a very long time. The only problem I have now is deciding which "Way" to do next."

Posted July 2006
My husband and I completed The Inn Way to the Yorkshire Dales on Friday 28th July 2006. It was my husband’s first long distance walk and my second one of the month, (having completed The Herriot Way at the beginning of July). We both enjoyed it despite the heat. We particularly liked the difference in the scenery and terrain, moving from meadows to gritstone to limestone.  The people we met along the way put the icing on the cake. The Village Restaurant in Buckden is a must for any walkers first evening meal stop, John, the host is very funny. As mentioned in the book, The Falcon Arms in Arncliffe is worth a visit. An inspection of the ruined church and church yard near Semerwater is a must as is a visit to the waterfall in West Burton. Attached is my favourite photo of the walk. Taken when we did a slight detour just to enjoy the River Wharfe along between Hebden and Grassington. Thanks for a brilliant walk.
Denise & Martin Middleton

Posted October 2004
I attach a photo of our recent 3 day walk from Reeth to Kettlewell. Thanks for the great walking.
Mick Graham



Posted May 2004
"I've recently completed the Yorkshire Dales Inn Way with my best buddies. We actually didn't visit all the pubs as a couple were closed - bad planning or what?? However, the experience was fantastic as this was my first long distance walk for 11 years. Although I am now a reluctant expert on blisters I am so pleased to have completed the distance - no pain no gain.
As an amateur ornithologist I was amazed at the lack of raptors in the dales - is this the result of "gamekeeper's activities?" I did see a curlew up close and of course Peewits by the score. We actually viewed nestlings which were crossing a path directly in front of us - a sight I was very surprised to witness.The last day was for me the most interesting as we descended through the lead mining areas, I also found a few interesting fossils enroute. Generally speaking every one we met, be they walker, landlady, landlord or local folk were the most friendly and hospitable people imaginable. The walk instructions were very adequate and the book makes a good sunshade when one is trying to sleep at lunch break.I don't know what next year's evolution will be - as I won the contest for the most pints drunk in the week I fancy another Inn Way.Good luck for the future and best wishes in your ventures."

Posted July 2003
"Just a note to say how much we enjoyed completing The Inn Way to the Yorkshire Dales - it's a superb walk. We (my mate Phil and I) walked The Inn Way over Spring Bank Holiday this year, and it was a great time to do it. I've walked over the Dales on many occasion, but doing a walk of that length over a number of days puts another angle on it. My personal highlights on the walk were: staying at the Queen's Head in Litton (great little pub with a good atmosphere & friendly service), walking over Stake Moss (the drop down to Semer Water is fantastic), walking down to Swaledale from Bainbridge (lovely views in all directions) and West Burton, which has to be one of the best villages in the country. Attached is a photo of us outside the Tennant Arms at Kilnsey - another great pub! Next year we're thinking of doing one of the others... but which one..?!"

Posted May 2003
"Having now completed and thorougly enjoyed your 3 long distance routes (Lakes twice - in both directions, Dales & Moors once each) I can highly recommend both the choice of routes and your informative and accurate descriptions of the many fine drinking establishments.I look forward to the release of the Northumberland book this autumn. Incidentally, my friends and I actually jog your routes completing each in about 3.5 days. Unfortunately, some of the pubs have been closed (before 11am) but we generally make up for that in the pubs that are open. Keep up the mighty fine work."