A TRADITIONAL Dales pub with a beautiful riverside setting has gone on the market offering an opportunity for someone who wants to get into the hospitality business or relocate to rural Craven.

The Helwith Bridge Inn is a traditional, independently owned, free house, real ale pub. The building dates back to the 1820s when it was built as a canteen for the local quarry workers. It has been a public house since the 1870s when the adjacent railway line was built.

Offered for sale by Christie & Co, the pub is set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, two miles from Penyghent, the first ascent on the Yorkshire Three Peaks when approaching from Horton in Ribblesdale.

Backing on to the River Ribble and the Settle to Carlisle Railway line, the Helwith Bridge Inn is the perfect place to enjoy the many activities and scenery of Ribblesdale. The pub is a haven for amongst others; walkers, cavers, climbers, cyclists and campers; as well as being a meeting place for the locals of Helwith Bridge and Horton in Ribblesdale. The pub is approximately five miles from Settle and around nine miles from the village of Malham.

A spokesman for Christie & Co said: "The business has been run by our clients for the last nine years. The four-bed accommodation was formerly used as letting accommodation and could be converted back to add an additional income stream. The position is desirable and will appeal to existing operators and lifestyle buyers looking to move to the Dales.

"The bar area consists of a main bar with open fire and seating for 30. The restaurant area has 30 covers and next to that is an equally sized games room that could allow the extension of the current restaurant.

There is a large car park outside where motorhomes are currently advertised to be able to stop over for one night and a terraced area overlooking the River Ribble.

The present owners, who are retiring from the trade, currently run the premises with the help of four part-time staff.

The Freehold pub is being offered for sale for £350,000.