A warm welcome awaits at the Masons Arms in Gargrave

Managers Richard Hudson and Amy Dalglish believe the stone-built inn - our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week - couldn’t be in a better location in the pretty Yorkshire Dales village of Gargrave.

The pub's corner site in Gargrave

Pump heads at the bar

The inn is dog friendly

“We are a popular stopping-off point for walkers on the Pennine Way, and we also get cyclists who have come along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal,” says Richard.

“The Spine Race passes through twice a year as well, bringing in more visitors, and of course, we are on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. People come not just from all over the country but from all over the world - just this week we had visitors from Japan, Holland and France.”

The couple, who took over in September last year, are shortly to take on the role of official licensees.

A former engineer, Richard has a family background in the pub trade - his parents ran the Albion in Clayton, where he grew up.

Amy, who grew up on a farm in Blacko just over the border in Lancashire, has a background in business and finance.

Amy and Richard love running the pub

With its traditional pub interior featuring beams an open fire and log burner, it’s a cosy pub in winter and in warmer months it has the added bonus of its own bowling green, around which customers can watch Gargrave Bowling Club take on its rivals.

Among the top-selling cask ales at the Marton Road inn are Hetton Pale and Craven Bitter, brewed nearby at Hetton’s Dark Horse Brewery.

“It’s three miles up the road, and we also do a good trade in Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Boltmaker and Knowle Spring - we like to support local breweries,” says Richard.

The Mason’s is also renowned for its home-made locally sourced pub fare. “Our steak and ale pies go down really well, as do our fish pies, cod loin and lasagne. Sundays roasts are very popular with families coming along.”

One of the appetising meals

A hearty breakfast

More mouthwatering fare

Richard and Amy have plans to introduce special culinary events, such as curry nights and fish and chip nights, as well as a weekly quiz night.

There are six letting bedrooms - with separate access - where guests can retreat for overnight stays while walking, on weekend breaks, or longer.

“The pub is very busy - working here is very rewarding, our customers are great and we love meeting people,” says Richard.

As well as the bowling green the pub offers darts and dominoes, fielding two teams for each game. “Local football, cricket and rounders teams come to meet here for a couple of drinks after their games,” says Richard, who has lived in Gargrave for ten year and used to drink in the Masons Arms before he became landlord.

“I always liked coming here and it’s great that Amy and I are now at the helm.”

*The Masons Arms, Marton Road, Gargrave, Skipton BD23 3NL