The Inn Way…to the North York Moors takes the reader on an 89-mile circular tour of the North York Moors via 31 of its finest inns. From heather-clad ridges of the central moors to lush valleys and picture-postcard villages, this book is a must for anyone who enjoys the Great Outdoors. Complete with foreword by Nicholas Rhea.
Diary
Have you just finished walking The Inn Way? Do you want to share your experiences with the world? Which was your favourite pub? Which part did you enjoy (or not) the most? Any amusing stories to share? Any top tips for other InnWay walkers?
Send your comments in to us and (if suitable) we will post them on this site. Your name, when you completed the walk and which part of the country you are from will be posted on this page.
Posted June 2007
"Four of us have just 'completed' The Inn Way to the North York Moors, but as 2 of us are over seventy and the other two 69 and 65, we did make a few adjustments, especially as the bank holiday weather was a bit awful! I (who led the expedition) have to say that I have NEVER had instructions to follow that were so clear and easy as in your book. Congratulations on your excellent route descriptions. Just one or two comments: the pub at Gillamoor was closed on a Friday so was no good for lunch, but the pub at Fadmoor was a delight. So, thanks for the excellent walk."
Posted May 2007
"Just a quick note to thank you enormously for 'The Inn Way to the North York Moors'. Three friends and I completed (most of) it the other day, having really enjoyed your guides to Northumberland last year and the Yorkshire Dales the year before. I think we all agreed this was the best yet - certainly places like the Birch Hall Inn at Beck Hole and the Sun Inn at Spout House were brilliant. We intend to get your Peak District guide and do that next May."
Posted August 2003
"I'm now back from my 'Inn Way' walk around the North York Moors, with the Stone Book taking pride of place on my mantelpiece! I can't tell you what a great thrill it was to find it, it was the real icing on the cake of what has been an absolutely fantastic six days.
The walk was exactly as I'd expected it to be, a really tough challenge but with the reward of some breathtaking scenery, picturesque villages and delightful pubs. I managed to get into all 31 and get the book signed, although I had to 'mop up' a few which had been closed on the actual walk on my drive back to Guisborough.
I would like to commend you and your book at the highest level. It is a wonderful piece of the work and I was absolutely fascinated by some of the history you have researched and the way in which you have presented it in the book. I truly did feel at the end of the walk that, to quote your book, I had gained a deeper knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the North York Moors and the people who live there. I thank you sincerely for that. By the way, we had an absolutely great celebratory night at the Hawnby Hotel, where we stayed that night after finding the Stone Book. I told Dave the landlord that you had asked me to tell him we'd found it, and he seemed genuinely chuffed about that (and somewhat proud that it was brought into his pub!). We were given a very warm welcome indeed by everyone we came into contact with, and I'm so pleased that the Hawnby Hotel is now a place with which I associate very fond memories and I will definitely return there in the not too distant future.
With best wishes, I'm off now to tend my blisters and soak my limbs in a Radox bath!"
Bill Perfitt, Guisborough, August 2003 - 'Stone Book' winner!
Posted April 2003
"It had nothing to do with finding the Stone Book whilst walking 'The Inn Way to the Yorkshire Dales' last year that had us doing the NorthYork Moors route this year. It's the perfect combination of beer and walking that has always appealed to us. The fact that someone has already planned a great route with many fine pubs along the way just makes it that much easier.
Being over Easter meant we had to book early as a number of B&Bs will only let for two nights. However, a couple of evenings with a pc and phone and we had everything booked. We actually started with Day 6 from Hawnby to Helmsley as Sarah at the rather appropriate Easterside Farm agreed we could leave the car for the week. A visit to the Hawnby Hotel the night we arrived got us off to a fine start. Only the Hare Inn at Scawton en route, so a fairly easy start. Still, we had five pubs in Helmsley to do in the evening. Pity that the Black Swan had no real ale - we had to make do with a G&T.
A leisurely start to Day Two as The Star Inn at Harome is only a couple of miles from Helmsley. After that, the pace had to quicken in order to get to the Plough Inns at Wombleton and Fadmoor. We had to plead to get served at Fadmoor even though it was only 2:45 and closing was supposed to be 3:00. Then failure as the Royal Oak at Gillamoor was closed. We debated about walking back in the evening from Hutton le Hole but in the end didn't. It was to be our only failure. Day Three was a little easier as the New Inn at Cropton is open all day. So, having sat outside the Blacksmiths Arms doing postcards we didn't have to hurry. Good job too as we couldn't resist trying all the beers available. As we had accommodation in Newton-on-Rawcliffe rather than Levisham we had to do the Horseshoe Inn in the evening - not far, but a testing down and up each way.
Goathland on Easter Saturday was a nightmare after our wonderful walk across Levisham and Two Howes moors. After a quick visit to the three pubs there, it was only a short walk to one our favourite watering holes at Beck Hole. Anyone who hasn't been to the Birch Hall Inn has a treat to look forward to. Saturday night we had our only overnight in a pub at The Horseshoe Hotel which we can recommend for the size of the meals as well as the beer. Day Four saw us get an unexpected bonus as we were told that the Moon and Sixpence had been closed. Well, it had been closed all winter but it had just reopened. Good job we went to find out. Praise also for the Arncliffe Arms which was open well before the advertised 12:00. Three pubs in Rosedale in the evening so where to eat? The Milburn Arms was recommended by our landlady so we ate there, however, the food at other two pubs looked equally good.
Easter Monday and our last day. This is by far the hardest day's walking as you cross a number of ridges. To our surprise the Feversham Arms was already open when we arrived just before 12:00 - and already serving food. We had forgotten to check the opening times of the Sun Inn at Bilsdale so we were not sure if we needed to quicken our pace to ensure we arrived by 3:00. Now we really don't approve much of mobile phones and only carry one for emergencies, but then this was one. A quick call from the top of Rudland Rigg, where we finally got a signal, confirmed they were open all day so we could take our time. Finally we were back at Easterside Farm just as the rain arrived after six sunny dry days. We did try our missed pub again but found it closed on Mondays - even the Bank Holiday. Oh the walking - well everyone should know the Moors are a fine walking area that has the advantage - especially at Easter - of not being as crowded as some areas. We, of course, didn't have much time for the views! Our noses were stuck to the ground looking for the Stone Book. No luck this year. Maybe we'll have better luck when we do the Lakes next year."
Dave Findel-Hawkins, Milton Keynes, April 2003
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