Tan Hill Inn

The 1732 Blog from the Top of the Hill

hamishdmbell42@gmail.com — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 01:58:14 +0000

Blog #4 – 31st October 2024

Cry Wolf!

(The one where we stay on the road, keep clear of the moors and become very aware of the Moon whilst we examine Tan Hills close association with the werewolf!)

Many folk tell us that their first visit to the Tan Hill inn was inspired by a much-loved 1984 television advertisement for a well-known double glazing firm. Britain’s foremost celebrity farmer of the time, ‘Ted Moult’ is shown battling his way across the moor through a roaring tempest to reach the door of the highest pub in the land, nearly loosing his hat in the process. Once inside he demonstrates the glaziers famous ‘draught proofing test’, by dropping a feather in front of a newly installed aperture. The downy plume falls without disturbance softly alighting upon the stone sill, irrefutably proving their windows were the best. Ted quips with a frothing pint in hand that the only draughts you would now find within, were the ones pulled at the bar. While on the other side of the recently fitted glass, the North Yorkshire winds continue to wildly gust and rage. Perhaps howling in frustration at their inability to penetrate the unplasticized polyvinyl chloride window frames with even the slightest current or wisp of air!

But to some, their first visit was not motivated by a humorous advertisement about draught resistant windows and howling wind. Oh no …for them, Great Britain’s Highest Pub will be forever about a bullet resistant, howling, slathering supernatural beast of the moor. For surely this must be the lonely old inn that featured in the opening scenes of the 1981 cult horror classic ‘An American werewolf in London?

It has got to be? Yeah?

Well, actually no it isn’t!

But so many believe that it is

Baring a striking resemblance to the film pub, ‘The Slaughtered Lamb’ in the fictious hamlet of East Proctor you could be misled into thinking it was us. Some visitors over the years have been so convinced that we are that pub that they have been observed animatedly pointing to the wall where they believe the pentagle was drawn or the table they are pretty positive that actors Brian Glover and a very young Rik Mayall were sitting at, playing a game of chess when the two American hikers walked through the door. Far be it for me or us to be a killjoy and ruin the illusion by telling them , that actually the exterior of the pub was shot at a location in North Wales, whiled its interior was filmed in a pub in Surrey! Well that wouldn’t be very nice. Anyway apart from that, their belief has brought them to a wild and beautiful corner of the country they may not have been aware of before. I am sure our tenuous association with director John Landis’s seminal werewolf movie has generated a little bit of extra custom for us these past four decades.

Certainly the ‘X-Files’ style pastiche of the movie for a 1990s mobile phone advertisement that was actually filmed here, (featuring ‘Twin Peak’s Kyle McLachlan) further cemented the belief and encouraged a new wave of curious horror aficionado’s to come and discover the magic of our stunning windswept domain. So for us to lop off the head of the wolf that keeps on giving would not be prudent and really rather foolish. Besides, our cinematic lupine body shifter may not be the only lycanthrope in the neighborhood!!

The Tan Hill inn lies within a beautifully bleak and seemingly endless desolation of moorland. A wild land that sits atop verdantly lush steep sided dales, its sparse population is scattered among picturesque tiny hamlets and sturdy homesteads. isolated from one another by geography but united by the shadow of the fell and its all-encompassing influence that draws them close to its wooded flanks. Its folk are nothing but respective of their pastoral surroundings and of its flora and fauna they co-exist alongside with. A land such as this is rich in tall tales of the weird and wonderful, wicked witches, wailing wraiths, Willo’the Wisps and of course werewolves.

The Big Bad Wolf

In Roman times the wolf population was numerous throughout our islands and travelling from one place to another was a dangerous exercise. Osteological studies of their fossilized skeletal remains, indicate that the British wolf was abnormally large in comparison to their European and American cousins, making an encounter amongst the fell lands with such a creature the stuff of nightmares!

Through a combination of deforestation, resulting in loss of habitat and various bounty systems the wolf was driven to extinction. The last wolf in England was allegedly killed towards the end of the 14^th century at Humphrey Head in our neighbouring county of what is now Cumbria, though they are believed to have survived in some of the wilder and forested parts of Northern England such as the Yorkshire Wolds and some of the more northerly areas of their county. The last wolf in Scotland was officially recorded as being carried out in 1680.Sightings of lone wolves however continued until as late as 1888, then no more.

Yet the Big Bad Wolf never truly went away, he lived on in fairy tales and deep within our primal fears and subconscious. Among the country folk who lived on the edges of the wild, accounts of wolves continued to perpetuate amongst their communities, especially when livestock went missing or was found brutally savaged and dismembered. As we moved into more enlightened times, most would put it down to some beloved family pet gone feral and more than likely that’s what it was. But there were still those who spoke of wolves and worse things than wolves too! Wolf like creatures that could walk upon their hind legs and they didn’t just live in the Wilds they hid and dwelt amongst us, and on certain rare nights when the fell is fully silver lit, as some sort of ‘Beast of the Moor’ it stalks the unwary.

A Yorkshire Werewolf in Yorkshire?

(scroll down for older blogs)

To Be Continued............

Blog #3- August 8th 2024

Tales from the Trail

"Tha’z not dunn Pennine way proper Y’know, if thee’’s not bin in' t' the Tan hill forra Pint!"

(The One where we discover that there are Three Compulsory Pubs on the Pennine Way!)

It is almost 60 years since the first walkers, eager to tread where few had trod before, embarked upon Great Britain’s first long-distance path, the Pennine Way!

In its early days the walk had to be planned meticulously because the few hostelries that were on the pathway were often full. Back then, there were no couriers transporting-your luggage from one B&B to the next. Everything had to be carried with you. Your tent, food, the whole kit and caboodle! It was not long until a common sight throughout the dale, was to see groups of hikers bedecked in brightly coloured cagoules trudging wearily along the path, often with those, weighed down under the weight of impossibly large rucksacks trailing behind.

In latter years as the walk became increasingly popular, more accommodation sprung up along the route-negating the need to carry your lodgings upon your back. Though purists argue that that was all part of the authentic PW experience, alongside cooking on a primus stove and camping wild under the stars. A pretty picture. But the weather atop the mountainous ridge the pathway ran, often had ways of persuading even-the most ardent of purists to reconsider their options!

One of the first groups of hikers, roughly halfway along the newly opened trail, were relieved when finally, the welcome sight of Great Britain’s highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn, appeared from out of the swirling mist. That morning, they had set off from the Green Dragon at Hardraw in high spirits and brilliant sunshine, but it wasn’t long after re-joining the path at Hawes, that the sky darkened, and as they climbed higher into cloud a persistent rain began to pour. It was now late in the day and what poor visibility that they had was rapidly deteriorating. Nightfall had begun, cladding the moor, in a shroud of impenetrable gloomy murk. So, mustering final reserves of energy, they upped their pace and determinedly strode towards this beacon of hospitality shining bright in the darkness of a wild inhospitable land!

As they approached the boggy trail underfoot merged into a firmer gravely path that led them across a narrow tarmac road. Carefully negotiating it’s crumbling potholes, they clambered up a couple of uneven limestone slabs, hastily fashioned into-makeshift steps and stood before a solid white wooden studded door. The first hiker, a gangly youth sporting a wispy novice beard, keen to get under shelter, fumbled with the latch, until clacking upwards it lifted, and the sound of animated conversation and laughter drifted out into the damp night air. Leaning on the stiff door, it creaked open just enough for him to step into the porch, there he pushed the glass windowed inner door wide open and he and his weary companions piled in over the threshold and on to a well-scrubbed flagstone floor.

A merry throng of ruddy faced farmers were stood at the bar, while the landlady, a young attractive dark-haired woman, pulled pints of frothing ale for most of those gathered, though a couple of the more senior gentlemen amongst them were nursing small tumblers of whisky. They barely glanced at the group of walkers, because the craic from the dale had turned into a rather amusing and somewhat saucy tale and the punch line was imminent! Some puffed on pipes, whilst one stout, florid faced gentleman, sporting a bottle green waistcoat that showed off an impressive looking gold pocket watch chain that hung taught across his girth, drew excitedly upon a rather fine-looking cigar. Great billowing clouds of sweet smelling tobacco smoke mingled with the more acrid cheaper plumes and the jolly banter and laughter was continuously accompanied by a carcaphony of croaking rasps, throat clearing and hacking coughs. The teller of the tale drew upon a thinly rolled cigarette protruding from the corner of his mouth and as he began to draw in the convoluted threads of his story to the end a tall stack of ash wobbled precariously at its tip!

At the far end of the bar a tall grey stone fireplace brought a warm dancing glow to the room, casting flickering shadows cavorting across its thick sturdy walls. From within this hearth blackened from centuries of use, a small blaze crackled and spat, sending a thin spiralling plume of smoke rapidly upwards into the depths of the chimney breast. At each spluttering outburst, delicate wispy tendrils of smoke were released to waft free of the grate, coiling around the stools and chair legs, and upwards out of the hearth to merge into the tobaccoey haze that already hung still and heavy in the low-ceilinged room.

It was at this moment the hikers entered, and on their tails, from out of nowhere, rode a gale. With both inner and outer doors open, this spritely breeze took its chance and followed the hikers inside whereupon it noisily circled the bar, blowing out candles, scattering newspapers and causing disarray. Howling like some phantasmic vacuum cleaner it sucked up the murky miasma in one gust, and as quickly as it had arrived, it departed, slamming both doors behind with a resounding crash. The bar was left in silence, but the atmosphere was now fresher and less heavy on the chest! One bright eyed farmer, slowly retrieving his flat cap from the floor gave the first hiker a stern look before exclaiming

…Waz tha born in a barn lad!?

The young hiker, dripping, sodden from the dank clinging mist, stood there awkwardly in the silence, not really knowing what to do next. but then the old boy tapped his squat clay pipe on the side of the bar and-emptying its burnt contents into an ashtray looked once again towards the young hiker, this time offering a friendly smile and refilling his pipe said…

Now git y’sen a pint young un, an gaa an’ sit by fire, yoo’lewk fair nithered an frozz t’ beyan! *

These early Pennine wayers having just completed the 16 ½ miles from Hawes in squally April weather, went no further that evening. There was much more moor, before the next place of refuge. But that could wait until morning, tonight, fortunately they had booked ahead, and beds awaited them.

That was of course after a hearty meal and a most convivial evening of tall tales, laughter, song and perhaps a little too much ale in the warm friendly company of the good folk of the dales!

There can’t be many folks on the Pennine way that would walk past the Tan Hill inn without entering. Bearing in mind back then, there were limited amounts of watering holes enroute, particularly at higher elevations. To pass by without refreshing and replenishing would have been foolish.

Fortunately, the vast majority of Pennine Wayers were and are still of the opinion that it would be extremely rude not to go in and quaff back a pint of ale or two (purely in the interests of rehydration of course!) In fact, most made sure that this was where they were going to set up tent for the evening or if they were lucky, sleep in one of the few rooms that were available back then.

Now, walking the Pennine Way is gruelling enough, but then there are always those who like to push the limits of sufferance and endurance to even higher levels. So, what do they do? Yes, unbelievably, they run it instead! The sections they run can tend to differ to those that are walked, and our pub is not always a scheduled stop, and so, yes, they do actually run past the pub! I know, how could they!

There was once a bemused Shepherd who could not understand how folk could pass by such an iconic pub in such a lonely setting without stopping for a pint of local ale. So, he took it upon himself to sit beside a small cairn beyond the stile, northwards and yell out after those that did saying

Thaz not done Pennine way proper Y’know if thee’’s not bin in tan hill forra Pint

’Whether he successfully got anyone to turn back or just scare them off we do not know. But over the years his words have resonated with walkers on the route and has perpetuated the myth that part of the route actually enters the highest pub in Britain

There are of course many pubs along the Pennine Ways 268-mile route that merit’ a-must visit status,’ All fine establishments, that are indeed a must purely because they are fine examples of great British pubs and perhaps their appearance en route coincides with your end of day on the trai

But there are three pubs on the route that you have to visit because Pennine way’ folklore’ dictates, you do, and if you don’t, then you haven’t really done the whole route

The first is the Old Nags head in Edale, the starting point, where traditionally you should have a ‘ceremonial’ half a pint of ale before embarking upon your odyssey.

The third ‘have to visit’ establishment and where your second half of that auspicious pint should be enjoyed, is on completion at the official finish in the bar of the Border hotel in Kirk Yetholm.

And yes, the second of those three ‘have to visit’ watering holes along the trail is the ‘Tan Hill Inn. ‘Purist Pennine ‘wayers’ believe that the route-runs through the front door, right up to the bar before looping round the brass plaque inset into the flagstones,,,,, back out the front door, heading left towards to the stile that brings you back onto the moorland track north. Fortunately for us, it is far too much of a temptation for folk not to pass by without popping in for a pint and a bite to eat!

A certain Mr. Wainwright drank, ate and slept here on more than one occasion when writing his book on the Pennine way. So, some believe if that is what old ‘AW’ did and wrote about, then it’s literally ‘gospel’ and must be adhered to! Then again, there are those that say that you should visit every pub on, and close to the route for at least a couple of pints before continuing on your way, but that is perhaps not the wisest of advice to heed!

It goes without saying that you don’t have to come into the-bar of the highest and-one of the most iconic pubs in Great Britain to be considered a bonafide ‘completist of one of Great Britain’s longest walking trails, but I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t if you’re here. The thing is if you didn’t, by the time you crossed the border into Scotland and the end approaches it may have begun to niggle you a little that perhaps you should have. Everybody else you have met has and regards that little stroll up to the bar as a section of the route. So maybe you should’ve done it! If you haven’t, it’s probably best that you go back and do it. Not to appease a myth, but just to prevent any niggles that may linger and nag away at you throughout the rest of your life. Anyway, besides that, we would love to see you, and also like to hear how your Pennine way experience went or is going? and whether you have a cup of coffee or a pint of our finest ale, you will be more than welcome!

Blog #2- July 4, 2024

I Owe You One!

(The One when our MP pops in for a coffee!)

Today, while our American friends celebrate their Independence we here in the United Kingdom have been voting in a general election, which is not a cause of celebration for most! The Tan Hill inn is though, the perfect place to be during all that electioneering hullabaloo and somewhere peaceful to ride out the storm until it all dies down. Anyway, because at the end of the day as they say

‘no matter who you vote for the government always get in!’

Where politics is concerned, the ‘Blog from the Top’ must act impartially and remain neutral. We can categorically confirm that we will never touch upon such a volatile topic of conversation and nor shall we do so today….

However, it is worth noting that the Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in the land, sits just inside the constituency for the member of Parliament, who holds the highest office in the land. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. (Well at the time of writing anyway!)

Now understandably Mr. Sunak is an exceptionally busy man and a isolated little pub on the fringes of his constituency probably do not feature much in his thoughts. It is hardly the place to come to to pick up votes, let alone have a spin out for a pint on a lazy afternoon or perhaps… even a coffee!

No, Mr. Sunak has not been seen up here at all recently. Well it is a bit of a track from his constituency home and he’s not there very often either, so you are unlikely to come across the prime minister having a quiet pint beside the fire after a busy week in Westminster. In fact, I don’t think he’s been up here since his first visit in which he seemed to be quite taken by the place …..

Which reminds me

… long ago on a dreary mid week morning in-2015 the newly appointed MP for the constituency of Richmond (Yorks) Rishi Sunak, along with one of his aids, arrived at the Tan Hill Inn. The pub was almost empty as it was still quite early but he took a seat at the table that has the wolf and whistle pub sign behind it. He made the mistake of enquiring why there was a pub sign with a ravenous wolf on it hanging on the wall. The only member of staff who was on duty at the time had been tending the fire then launched into a well rehersed spiel about the film ‘ An American Werewolf in London and how this pub had became associated with the movie as it was often mistaken for the pub in the film etcetera et cetera. Our newly elected MP sat there attentively listening while sipping politely on whatever it was, we sold us coffee back then. and asked a few more questions about the pub and the area in general. He sat there a little longer before leaving the bar to go and freshen up. Whilst he was out of the room, his aid came up to the bar to pay for the coffees but the card that was offered to settle the tab was one we did not use at the time. He began to fumble in his pockets for stray coins. Mr Sunak came back into the room and warmed himself by the fireside, noticing his aid was struggling to find cash he came up to the bar and offered to pay himself but the bar-steward as a gesture of goodwill (or more than likely just wanted to get on with his jobs) graciously let him have the coffee on the house. The future Prime Minister thanked the bar steward and shook his hand and as he left through the door, he turned round once more and said, said ‘I owe you one!’

…. And I haven’t seen sight nor sound of him since but I haven’t Forgotten Rishi!

Blog #1 - July 3rd, 2024

The Blog on the Top of the Hill!

(The One when we tell you, that our Blog is a little different to the rest and well worth a read!)

Introduction - What's it all About?

Welcome to our Blog from the Top, an informal conversational forum of commentary, stories and often (though not always intentionally) wry observations on everything and anything to do with Tan Hill’,

Covering many topics, your first glance, may find us eulogising over an amazing Thursday night ‘Acoustic Buskers session, or on another read, the blog could be all about the latest mouthwatering dish our head chef has lovingly prepared, or yet another homage to our giant Yorkshire puddings. You’ll read blogs where we’ll be found extolling the virtues of a particular local beer, or in words of great reverence, waxing lyrical over the subtle nuances of a fine malt whisky. However, outstanding live music, delicious meals, real ales and exquisite spirits, is not all we explore here, oh no!

For this blog is not just another forum to promote our product and peddle our wares, and it’s certainly not just about getting ‘bums on seats!’. … Well… of course it is…. a little bit,.. that’s what blogs do and we are a business after all,….But if you read regularly, you will come across some of our more beguiling and quirky posts. This is where we take more of a sideways glance at this lonely old pub on the moor, and begin to reveal that there is so much more to it than merely just a great place to eat, drink and be merry!

What do we mean…?

Well… more often than not this is the kind of blog that will whisk you off your feet and send you scurrying down a rabbit hole to goodness knows where, as we pursue an interesting story of old. Or you could find yourself hurtling down the space-time continuum, backwards through countless centuries to emerge into the murky swirling mists of the dark ages and the very earliest days of this old inn. Err…. well not literally, (we don’t have a time machine!) but using our blog as a stage fot what we already know, we can, with a pinch of wild conjecture speculate as to when that very first pint was served here!

Further through history and back to the future we’ll explore the turbulent times the pub has weathered and perhaps ponder on the question of how on earth this pub survived into the 21st century, while so many like it have long since disappeared

We could tell you of the interesting, eccentric, larger than life characters that have run this Pub, and those who have worked here, the many celebrities who have visited and of course the dry witted good folk of the Dales who have frequented these premises for many centuries and still do.

We’ll share other people’s stories of what the pub means to them, relate gritty tales of endurance and determination on the Pennine Way, and relive amusing recollections of eventful nights of long ago!

In hushed tones, we will speak of our more ethereal residents that are believed to flit between the darker shadows and dimly lit back corridors of this creaking old building. We will delve into the rich folklore of the encircling moors, the scary tall stories of lonely silent figures on the trail, creatures of the mist, and when the moon is full, we will once more revisit the legend of the Tan Hill werewolf!

But as much as we like a creepy yarn, it’s not all about ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night. Of course not.! We’ve got tales of tenacity and fortitude in extreme weather conditions too. Our blizzarding blogs are chilling enough without bringing the supernatural into it.

Not that long ago, we were snowed in with an Oasis tribute act and over 60 of their fans for four nights…. And trust me, when you are ‘going nowhere’ and the snow is banking up the side of the pub., there’s only so many times you can listen to ‘wonderwall’ before it drives you to ‘cigarettes and alcohol ’and you begin to-wish you really were ‘half a world away’. ‘Whatever’, it is just a memory now, but one that wont quickly ‘fade away’ and one I certainly ‘don’t look back in anger’ on! ….

Anyway, I digress and appear to have gone off on a tangent, which this blog can do on occasion. Conversations like paths and trails can continue ahead and split, weaving into all sorts of different directions until we don’t know where the topic is going or which path to pursue, so we just have to trust our feet and see where they might lead us to!

The Tan Hill Inn is owned and staffed by a hard-working team who are immensely passionate and proud of their pub and will shout it from the highest rafters for all to hear. Fiercely independent, that robust singularity, an essential aspect of the pubs character is very much reflected in how this blog is voiced! so if we seem to be a little over effusive or even a tad irreverent from time to time,… just put it down to the altitude!

But honestly above all, we want you to find our blogs informative, interesting, amusing and hopefully readable. Our wish is that they will encourage you to come and see the beautiful area that we are set amidst. We will tell you of the stunning walks you should take and the places you should visit and of activities you can go on. We will introduce you to the moorland birds you may see. Oh, and we could write many a blog on lying amongst the heather, gazing up at a myriad of stars twinkling across the Milky Way and if the aurora decides to dance amongst them…well that is just magical!

Basically we just want you to fall in love with this land as much as we do and if this somewhat ‘enthusiastic’ blog gets you to visit this remarkable old pub for a couple of pints and a bite to eat….well whats the harm in that? we’ve got to make an honest living somehow!

Dark Skies

hamishdmbell42@gmail.com — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:58:30 +0000

Everything You need to know about stargazing amidst the pristinely dark skies above Britain’s highest pub

Here at the Tan Hill Inn, Great Britain’s highest pub, we feel extremely privileged to be so perfectly positioned within one of only four designated dark skies discovery sites in the whole of the British Isles.

We take our stargazing very seriously and like to. keep abreast of all upcoming astronomical events in order to be able to inform you on our facebook page when there is something exciting happening in the night sky above!

Unfortunately, in Britain, we are very dependent on the weather for a good night stargazing. So before you set off anywhere it is a good idea to check the local forecast. But if you live in a built up area, even on clear nights you are unlikely to see anything more than the slightest of twinkles. The light from urban areas spills upwards, polluting the perfect inky blackness, that the delicate starlight needs to be seen. Only the very brightest objects can penetrate through the hazy orange miasma that hangs over our towns and cities!

It seems such a shame to miss out on such wondrous unearthly spectacles, these free events, that play out each night across the Milky Way. You miss out, all for the sake of travelling a few miles into the country. You shouldn’t have to travel too far before you can appreciate the darkness of the night close to your locality?

But, perhaps you would rather visit a Dark Skies Discovery Site, where you know there will be no light pollution?

maybe you should come to us at the top of the hill?

Oh yes you must!

But what will you see, you ask?

What about the Northern Lights?

Well you might see the aurora borealis, but they are highly unpredictable, and they deserve a blog completely to themselves (coming soon.)

But oh you will see so much, so so much …

The Perfect Spot

When you have arrived, the first thing you need to do is find a good spot to set up your temporary astronomical observatory. A nice dry bit of ground amidst the long grass and scented heather in front of the pub, or on the outcrop behind? There is plenty of choice. From this, your earthly base you can begin your interstellar voyage through the depth of space!

The pub is very dark skies friendly and we keep light pollution down to the bare minimum. We even have specially designed, astronomy friendly outside lighting that is firmly pointed towards the ground, so as not to affect your stargazing experience!

All you have to do is just lie back, gaze up and wait for the show to begin

The Guiding Constellations of the Celestial Sphere

If the night is clear you are in for a treat… But first let your eyes grow accustomed to the dark. Take 20 minutes or so to do so . If you use a torch put an orange or red filter on the lens so you don’t blind yourself or others whilst you settle into your night with the stars. Once your eyes have grown accustomed to the dark, look up and open them wide and gaze upon a universe of one septillion twinkling stars (That is a 1 followed by 24 zeros!)

This is the sparkling backdrop and the stage for some of the most spectacular cosmic performances

Wow!

There is so much to see and take in, you can get lost in this glittering myriad of stars. So how do you find your way or find what you’re looking for amongst this endless star scape.?

Astronomers use the constellations in the night sky to find their way around and locate objects that they are looking for.

Constellations are groups of stars that together form recognizable patterns. The shapes that they form can include animals, objects and people. Many constellations are named after mythological figures from the ancient world. ,. There are 88 recognized constellations . If you get hold of a good start chart or map of the celestial sphere, it doesn’t take that long at all before you will instantly recognize some of the more memorable constellations in the sky, such as the Plough or Orion.

Once you have orientated yourself, you can then find the area of sky that is of interest to you, such as the ‘radiant’. This is the celestial point in the sky, from which the paths of meteors, or shooting stars appear to originate!

Shooting Stars

Ah, yes, shooting stars, the magical shimmering jewels that adorn the crown of astronomical delight!

To see a shooting star streak across the night sky is always pretty special and on any given night, several may be seen. At times, the number of shooting stars can increase rather dramatically and these events are then known as meteor showers!

Most meteor showers, come from the icy debris comets cast off in great dusty plumes from their tail, as they orbit the Sun. When our planet passes through these streams of debris, then meteor showers occur. The vast majority burn up in our atmosphere producing the brightly coloured streaks of light across the night sky. Some such as the the Perseid’s which occurs in July and August are quite spectacularly, prolific producing almost 200 shooting stars in an hour

There are roughly 30 meteor showers a year and we will endeavour to let you know on our social media page, which ones you should be able to see from our perfectly positioned lofty pinnacle.

Sometimes you have to wait a little bit until you see your first. It can be frustrating when you hear others shriek out in delight when they see one, whilst you were looking in the opposite direction… But when that first streak of light whooshes directly in front of your vision, what a massive feeling of elation that is and an adrenaline boost to boot! You become briefly a falling star junkie, desperately scanning the firmament for the next hit. Oh, and it will come, sometimes like a whirlwind of colour, exploding out of the darkest patch of the night sky.

They truly are the astronomical event to witness, and can leave you feeling quite in awe to what you have just seen!

You may need a drink!

DEFINETLY worth the journey!

The Planets

The five brightest planets in our night sky Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn can all be seen by the naked eye once you know where to look and what to look for! Though you see far more detail through a telescope. A useful bit of information when looking for planets and you are not sure whether you have found one or not is to remember this general rule of thumb. If its twinkling then it is more than likely a star. Planets don’t!

The Moon

Our closest neighbour (only about 238,900 miles away!)is often the reason why many of us first became interested in Astronomy. For aspiring Skygazer, the moon is a great place to start because it is so close and accessible and of course it is beautiful in all its phases.

A full moon at Tan Hill on a clear evening is always an event in itself. But on those nights it is probably best not to stray to far from the pub and a good idea to keep clear of the moor!

What to Bring

Heading into a designated dark skies area, such as Tan Hill with just your eyes is sometimes all you need and that is certainly the case with events, such as shooting stars . But bringing a pair of binoculars or a telescope will really enhance your visit when looking deeper into space at the more distant bodies. Having a telescope is brilliant for seeing the rings around Saturn for example, and for some of the moons that orbit, the big gas giants of our solar system. All of which you cannot see with he naked eye

Keeping Warm and Comfortable

Remember wearing warm clothes is an absolute must! We are at a much higher altitude than where most people live in the country, and it is decidedly colder. It is always a very good idea to have a supply of extra layers hats, scarves gloves et cetera whatever month of the year you find yourself in. You should add a picnic blanket, duvet or an old rug to lie upon or a fold up chair to your list of things to bring. Particularly during shooting star displays as it will make the experience a whole lot more comfortable

Some astronomical events happen in the wee small hours of the morning and as much as we would like to, we cannot stay open all night, so having some snacks to eat and a hot flask of something is a good thing to include in your necessities!.

Of course, as we briefly mentioned earlier the weather conditions have to be favourable because dark skies that are just dark, because they’re full of leaden rain clouds, certainly puts a damper on the proceedings, particularly if you’ve travelled far. We strongly recommend you keep abreast of the latest weather forecast before making the journey here.

A Warm Welcome

If you have been outside for a while, and you do begin to get a bit cold, we do have some welcoming open fires, roaring in their hearths that you can sit beside to warm up, before venturing outside again.

But why not make a night of it have , a bite to eat enjoy, a drink, book a room and if you are feeling hardy, camp outside. .

Our menu offers a wide range of freshly prepared hot meals, and we have a fantastic selection of real ales and other drinks available on the bar. We also have our very own Tan Hill Inn, Dark Skies Stout exclusive to the highest pub in Great Britain, and a favourite amongst fellow astronomers and stargazers.

Imagine, once you have enjoyed a beautifully prepared meal in a warm homely pub ,washed down with a couple of pints of f dark skies stout you could retire to one of our is sumptuous bedrooms. Snuggled down you can drift off comfortably after a night of spectacular stargazing!

You don’t have to wish upon a star for that dream to come true!

Keep watching the skies.

The Birds of Tan Hill – Part 1

hamishdmbell42@gmail.com — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 18:20:56 +0000

Our Birding Blog and guide to all the resident and visiting species that can be seen at Tan Hill throughout the year!

No 1. The Curlew

When this most magically enchanting of bird calls echoes out across the moors for the first time of the year, then we know, Winters grip is finally loosening.

The Curlew, Britains largest wading bird with its distinctive long, curved beak is easy to identify from other waders. It is often the first returning migrant to arrive back to the uplands of Tan Hill as early as mid February. Keeping a low profile at first, it is well camouflaged to do so and only revealed when silhouetted against the rapidly thawing snow patches. If you are lucky, this is where you may catch a glimpse as it silently seeks out the best nesting site amid the tough grasses and peat hags.

But it doesn’t remain silent for long.

Low bubbling whistles, the beginning’s of its bewitching air start to rise as the secretive bird finally emerges from out of the tussocky grass and takes to the moody sky. It is here aloft the sombre coloured moor that provides the perfect stage for this piping song of the fell to unfold in all its glorious complexities! With an increasing urgency this ecstatic melodious trilling, W.B. Yeats described as a “sweet crystalline cry” ascends above the endless moor, building to a passionate rippling crescendo before gently fading away. A joyful song but tinged with a haunting melancholy that reflects the beautiful bleak desolation that’s lies below, it’s ascendanc

Curlews lay their eggs in a nest on the ground known as a ‘scrape’ and both male and female incubate the eggs and chicks for roughly four weeks, before they leave the nest. They spend time with their parents for a further four weeks until fledged.

Whilst on the fell, they feed on insect, spiders, larvae and worms In the autumn, both adults and young return to the estuaries with its rich marine food supply of molluscs lugworms and much more and there they will remain throughout the winter.

Curlew numbers has sadly declined drastically in recent years. Intensive farming practices, including drainage and reseeding and the turning of areas of moorlands into forest have had a huge impact on their population.

The population around the Tan Hill inn (Great Britain, highest pub) seems healthier than most and throughout the spring I hear them reasonably regularly. But I can remember a time as children, walking the fell with my father, binoculars in hand, when they seemed to be everywhere. And one bright March day we relinquished our coveted seats by Tan Hill’s welcoming fire and took our drinks outside There we sat for what seemed like an age, listening to countless curlews calling to one another, as they and their song soared above us!

On days, like this, I felt the luckiest 12-year-old on the planet, my brother, and I having dad to ourselves for a great long walk and seeing and hearing these wonderful birds in full courtship. And of course, I was even happier, because Neil, the Landlord had let me pull myself a small beer shandy with a little bit more beer than lemonade in it. I literally was on the top of the world.

The curlew and its iconic call it’s probably one of the most evocative sounds of the uplands of Great Britain and Ireland. But in much of folklore(particularly in coastal areas), it is very much associated with sorrow and a harbinger of ill tide and bad omens.

However, despite its bittersweet mournful qualities, it is for me and those who like myself, that live and work amongst these wild lands, a joyful welcoming sound, and a promise of warmer brighter days ahead. Whenever I hear its call, however faint, it always stops me in my tracks, holding my attention until the last complex note plays out and is carried away on the wind……

No 2. The Lapwing

If you are out walking during the Spring, across the footpaths and fell tracks that lead to the highest pub in Great Britain, then the lapwing will undoubtedly make it known to you ,that it is there!

You may catch a glimpse of one watching you, whilst teetering on its toes as it furtively pops its head up above the heather, stretching its neck, moments before exploding noisily into the air in a clamorous declaration to all of its presence.

Before you know it the whole moor resounds with the answering cry, a loud unmistakable, shrill ‘pee-wit’ , which gives it, it’s common local name(and one of many that it goes by)

Once you appear to be no threat, the alarm calls transforms into a bright ebulliently uplifting delightful song. Its abounding joyfulness underlined by a subtle wistfulness woven inbetween its notes, ensures that the peewits cheerful ditty is one of the most iconic sounds of the moors and only marginally bested by the Curlews bewitchingly beautiful, mournful song of the season.

For this is their courtship track to the males tumbling, acrobatic display flights. Their frenzied eronautical nuptial dance in the sombre skies above the Moors are all choreographed to this swift rising and falling notes of the melody. The song will be heard throughout the springtime months., while the quest to find the perfect mate and nest site continues…

A distinctively, looking,, wading bird, of blacks and whites, iridescent purple-green tinges and topped off with a resplendent tapering crest, the Lapwing returns to Tan Hill each March to breed.

Well camouflaged, their nests are shallow scrapes in the ground lined with grass, feathers, and other vegetation into which they generally lay four eggs.

Extremely protective parents they will aggressively defend their nest and offspring from predators and anything or anyone who may stumble towards the nest regardless of. Size. Curious Swaledale sheep are soon given their marching orders!

They feed on insects, worms and invertebrates, but when available will consume certain seeds and berries.

In the autumn, they leave the uplands and head to the Rich feeding grounds of the estuaries and coastal areas, where they will spend the winter.

The collective noun for a group, of lapwing is known as a ‘deceit’ due to the fact that the bird would feign injury when threatened. In the upland areas, their return was seen as a coming of spring, but in more coastal areas folklore saw them as the harbinger of disaster, particularly when their calls were heard at night

There were far more peewits when when I was younger, they even nested in the fields close to my home on the edge of town. Sadly their numbers have desperately dropped off in recent years due to habitat loss and fragmentation and have almost vanished from the lowlands now, preferring the wilder moorland areas. Fortunately,, their population seems reasonably healthy around the moors of Tan Hill.

An easy bird to observe as they seem to have no fear of humans. Once, as we were out walking when I was a small boy, a pair of lapwing, burst up, right in front of me and fearlessly chased me off, as I inadvertently approached a nest of young chicks. I was so surprised I ran into a bog, went in knee, deep, and lost my Wellington boot much to my father‘s mirth!. But as the tears began to roll down my face, my dad had an idea and sought sanctuary!

Soon after, damp and barefooted, I was sat by the warm, welcoming fire of the Tan Hill inn! while the landlady‘s wife fussed over me. The rest of the walk had been curtailed whilst the retrieved wet sock and boot and miserable, little boy, dried off in front of the pubs constantly ablaze hearth. However, a packet of crisps and a bottle of pop soon, made me a happy little boy again . So in a roundabout way, I had the peewits to thank for this unexpected treat

It was an unscheduled stop of necessity. I remember my father explaining to my mum when we returned a little later than we should’ve done!

“Peewits??? Really!”she said disbelievingly!

I kind of had a soft spot for the lapwing ever since then!

By the start of April, spring is getting well into its stride. A south-westerly breeze hastens the retreat of the last lingering snow patches and the sun, confidently stronger, finally stirs the fell land back into full wakefulness.

The heathered moorland is now alive with a symphony of Birdsong. The Curlews and lapwings airs of joy and sorrow provide star billing while the skylark and his song of soaring ascendancy gives us our virtuoso performance. Interwoven with the meadow pipits sweet, chirruping burr and the red grouses percussion of guttural outbursts, the Tan Hill Inn has quite the orchestra right on its doorstep!

However some birdsongs are a little too soft and delicate to be heard above the more vocal members of the fell side fowl choir and they are best appreciated outside the wider ensemble!

No. 3 - The Golden Plover

The Golden Plover is one such performer, preferring to remain hidden while it sings its song. There from a tussocky vantage position above the dips and troughs of the peat hags it’s ghostly, plaintive piping drifts out onto the moor!

If you are lucky to catch a glimpse of this strikingly looking wading bird, you literally have struck gold!

My dad brother, and I had often heard their clear, sorrowful sounding whistles when we went out walking, but had failed to catch a glimpse of them. They always seemed to dance fleetingly just on the edge of our vision, never fully revealing themselves.

That was until one day, long ago, when we heard their distant emotive call, and like a sirens soul stirring song of seduction, it beckoned us to follow!. Becoming clearer, the lonely piping led us into the rolling gullies and deep narrow ghylls of the dark mounded peat hags. Whilst we explored this upland terrain a dank, wet cloud, drifted low enveloping the moor. Visibility quickly deteriorated, and we became separated.

As we called out to each other through the wafting mist, I heard the plovers haunting cry, now very close to where I stood. I crossed a little rivulet, warily treading through the black claggy peat bog to where I believed the sound emanated from. But then the elusive bird called out right behind me. I swung round quickly but all I saw were dissipating shadows and indistinct shapes , fading in and out of the swirling mist. I swung round again as a shrill peeping sounded to my left, and then another to my right, had me completely in a disorientated spin.

Now the mist was full of forlorn calls seemingly all around, but still, this fast flying little bird, still would not reveal itself to me. Stumbling forward, already soaked wet through from the moisture laden mist a large peat hag ominously, loomed out of the dismal murk and I scrambled up its banks.

Above the hags maze of little streams and gullies, a fresh breeze was stripping off the misty fronds of the low flying cloud, allowing bright shafts of sunlight to filter through. As I stood a top this short grassy plateau, I saw my father and brother on top of another tussocky topped hag. My dad was furiously waving and pointing his stick, gesturing for me to turn round. So I did!

Finally, there they were, a pair of Plovers, resplendent in their beautiful black and golden plumage, which shimmered in the rays of the afternoon sunshine, now burning off the remaining mist. Such was their bold demeanour, there had to be a nest somewhere, close by. I was sure, so I backed slowly away and down from their Vantage point. They calmly watched me go, and then with a loud piping, they broke into a quick sprint before launching themselves into a brighter sky. We re-grouped, and with the mist just about lifted, made our way carefully, through the twists and turns of this boggy landscape, back to where the car was parked outside a lonely pub, the highest in Great Britain!

Laying on average four oval-shaped eggs in a nest, roughly scraped into the ground,, the Golden Plover numbers in the UK, are reasonably healthy. The moors around Tan Hill have a substantial breeding population, with densities some of the highest in the country . On the moors, they feed, mainly on worms, beetles, and other insects.

Golden Plover overwinter in the invertebrate rich muddy estuaries around the British coast. During this time, their numbers are boosted by birds flying south from Scandinavia. They all return to their breeding grounds in the spring time, but none get quite the welcome as the one that they get in Iceland. Here, the first appearance of the golden plover is eagerly anticipated and has become a national media event. For when the first one arrives, that officially means spring has started in this northerly country.

Throughout early spring, you are more than likely to hear them piping away outside Great Britain’s highest pub. But whether you get to see these shy and most beautiful of birds, well, that is all down to luck

No. 4 - The Meadow Pipit

Returning to the moors, in March and April the meadow pipit is frequently seen speedily flitting about around Britain’s highest pub. Often dismissed as one of those dull browny/yellow birds not worth consulting the field guide to identify. But if you just take the time and have a closer look, this hardy little fell side inhabitant is far from drab and uninteresting.

They are quite the aerobatic performers, the males courtship display of

fluttering parachute drops and convoluted undulations during spring is quite a spectacle! Their melodious high piping trill is the constant background resonance to the bleating Swaledale sheep, buzzing bees amongst the Heather, and the calls of curlew, lapwing and other moorland birds, sounds synonymous with the upland summer.

Like most of Tan Hill’s feathered friends, they are ground, nesting , laying 3-5 eggs in a simple construction of dry grass, hidden in dense vegetation. They are the most industrious and attentive of parents, which unfortunately has made them the preferred victim of that cunningly artful con artist, the Cuckoo, who displaces the pipits eggs for their own.

Unwittingly, they become surrogates for a demanding oversized impostor chick, who quickly outgrows them. Remarkably they often have a second brood. But as autumn deepens, they leave the moors descending in flocks known as ‘a profusion of pipits’ to lower plains. Some will migrate as far south as Spain, Portugal, and even North Africa.

The pipit is an important food source for moorland predators such as short eared owl and merlin. Here their numbers are healthy and able to sustain these losses but sadly the population has been in general decline since the 1970s, possibly due to changing farming practices affecting their winter feeding grounds.

If you are lucky enough to be able to sit outside the pub on a sunny afternoon , they will provide quite the show for you whilst you enjoy a pint of local ale and a bite to eat from our tempting menu. The pipit is more than happy with their diet of insects and spiders and as shadows lengthen and afternoon descends into dusk, to quietly observe the pipits elaborate twist and turns above the tussocky peat hags and heathered moor deftly snatching moths and beetles from the air is mesmerisingly addictive……..More so with a pint!

No. 5 - The Red Grouse

When some of the old farmers came to Tan Hill and were asked what they would like to drink, they were often heard to say…

“Aye I’ll jus have me sen a low flyer”

… usually put to a bewildered newer member of staff. Of course what they meant was a wee dram of Famous Grouse whisky, a favourite tipple for the men of the dales.

Low Flyer refered to the way the red grouse flew, just above, and very close to the ground. Living amongst the heather moorland surrounding our pub, their distinctive guttural call sounding a bit like ‘go back go back go back’ can be heard from deep within the tussocky grass and peat hags. A beautiful and sometimes comical bird, to observe, its plump, dark brown plumage, makes it well camouflaged but is often given away by the males bright red eyebrows which he uses to great effect in his courtship. They can lay anything from 6 to 12 eggs or more in April and May within little feathered hollows beneath the heather, and both parents raise their young together. They rely upon seeds flowers and young heather shoots of to feed upon but will also eat berries and other upland plants.

Since Victorian times there has been organised grouse shooting. Much of these moors are managed by gamekeepers to suit the grouse, and every year, areas of old heather is burnt to encourage new growth.

Grouse shooting season begins on the 12th of August!

Ground Nesting Birds

The vast majority of birds that can be seen around Tan Hill are ground nesting species. Allowing dogs to run wild can be devastating for wildlife, particularly in spring when species are breeding and vulnerable. The

law says

that you must keep your dog on a lead no longer than 2 metres between 1st March and 31st July, when on any open access land to protect birds, nesting at ground level

We are very dog friendly here at Tan Hill, but we love our local wildlife too, so please be aware by staying on the paths and keeping your canine companions close!

The Road Across the Moor

hamishdmbell42@gmail.com — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 10:45:34 +0000

The Road Across the Moor.

Nowadays, crossing the moors of the Pennine fells in a motor car, can be completed leisurely within a few hours. The Tan Hill Inn, Great Britain’s highest pub, in North Yorkshire, standing at 1732 feet above sea level is fairly easy to find and relatively straightforward to get to, following a variety of different routes using whatever mode of transport you wish!

But once upon a time, it was a much more difficult and arduous journey. More often than not, undertaken by foot, over rough terrain and uneven trails. It could take some days to cross from one side of the Pennines to the other. Routes had to be planned meticulously, for there was little shelter to be had among these high flat topped desolate lonely places. But this land was not completely forsaken, for there stood hostelries such as the Tan Hill Inn, and busy establishments they were! Offering a place of refuge for those weary nomads upon the road, sheltered from the elements, s safe haven in a wild unforgiving land!

For there were many dangers that faced those journeying upon these lonely exposed roads, not least the weather! Sunshine and a gentle breeze could quickly transform into poor visibility and strong gales and blizzarding snow could be upon without warning. Very often it seemed that every other form of metrological permutation in between was served out in cloudbursting succession, leaving traveler’s lost, and disorientated far from a place of refuge and safety!

These were lawless lands and robbing brigands made these remote exposed roads part of their hunting grounds, plundering the wares and possessions of poorly defended merchants and pedlars. Lonely travellers and drovers, herding their stock to the next great fair across the hill, were literally ‘fair’ game too, and a day’s pickings could be very worthwhile. However, these moorland marauder’s knew when to leave these elevated highways, lest the hunter became the hunted. For they were not the only ones that stalked, hunted, or lay waiting for the unwary upon the trail!

By the time shadows were lengthening and the Sun had begun to sink behind the darkling fell, finding oneself still upon the moors was a perilous situation to be in.

Nightfall came swiftly!

There are stories of old that spoke of terrifying encounters had by those who survived to tell the tale! Spine chilling accounts told by horror stricken travelling parties of the strange shadowy things of the Fell, that crossed their path as they navigated a way through the boggy terrain. One such account describes how becoming lost a small group of traders sought another route. They decided upon a trail, that seemed to take them in the direction they needed to go, but eventually came to a halt in front of an ancient stone cairn, stood upon a raised mound of earth. The mound was covered in dead brownish grass and thick with thistles, which added to the brooding feeling of dread this place emanated. They did not linger and they quickly began to backtrack! But soon after they had left the lichen covered pile of rocks, a shrouded wraithlike figure appeared some way back down the dead ended trail. Several more joined the first and they edged ever closer. The traders describe their features as translucent, constantly blurring through rictus grins and gibbering leers to a nightmarish gaping black hole where their mouth should be! Their pale blue eyes were said to follow your every move, while their arms, grotesquely, outstretched to unnatural lengths tapered to spindly grey fingers ever grasping outwards, eager to feel the warmth of the living and clasp them close in a grim icy embrace.

The fell lands were beset with freakish winds that came from out of nowhere. Circling above the pathways across the moor, and riding this howling onslaught, emitting unearthly shrieks of delight, flew what the dales folk believed, were the unseen fiends that dwelt on the exposed barren fell tops!

While upon the moor, on certain nights, pale ethereal lights flickered on and off amongst dank swirling patches of rapidly forming mist, leading befuddled weary folk to unwittingly stray from the path and onto treacherous trails that invariably led to flooded mine shafts, bottomless bogs, or further into this Upland wilderness, never to be seen again! The folk of the Dales would say they were spirited away by mischievous sprites. Local folklore also mentions that deep within the labyrinth of high sided mounds of black wet peat known as ‘hags’, there were shaded hollows where the sun never shone. These pits of eternal darkness concealed openings into caverns where it was believed the more malevolent spirits of the fell, such as boggarts and other dark, unspeakable things, silently and patiently lay in wait for those who strayed, just a little bit too close to their subterranean lair!

Then there is another tale, a chilling tale which allude to the existence of some form of large beast, one that stalked a pair of travellers, who were a little behind schedule after they had obliviously walked off the path. Misshapen shadows cast from the looming tussocky peat hags, prevented the moons bright light from revealing the horror that lurked enveloped both sides of the path ! Only the barely perceptible soft tread of padded paws upon wet ground and a low rumbling growl, reveals its existence! But those two boys knew it was there! This hellish creature was moments from making its strike, coiled and tensed, ready to leap. Whilst trying to maintain a nonchalant manner, they turned the next corner and the peat hags abruptly give way to an open stretch of moor and there was the path again, firmer, broader and brightly illuminated by the very welcome lights of the highest pub in Britain. The sound of clinking glasses, laughter, music and merrymaking drifted from an open window, encouraging the fearful travellers, without daring to look behind, to sprint the final short distance towards the safety this homely house promises! Whatever it was that lay in the darkness that night did not reveal itself but silently watched the busy pub before fading back into the rising mist from whence it came! Knocking back frothing pints of ale beside the hearth, a roaring fire helped dispel any last feelings of anxiety, the lads may have had. And so with rising bravado, they eagerly related their tale of the unspeakable fate that nearly befell them, time and time again to all who would hear!

A little later outside, the moon now fully risen, illuminates the road across the moor as it weaves its way back down to lower habitable, lands and civilisation. The lonely pub on the hill bolts its doors and shuts out all the terrors of the night as time is called and the drovers, peddlers, and travelling folk, make their way to bed.

The fire is burning low, and all is silent except for the soft purring of the pubs cat hidden somewhere within the bar area. Then two glasses fly from the shelf and smash on the flagstone floor shattering into a thousand pieces. The black cat that had been sleeping contentedly in an alcove beside the fire, was now hissing, hackles raised at something unseen behind the bar!!

Perhaps not all terrors of the night are locked outside!!!

Good night.

Don’t have nightmares.

(to be continued?)

#TanHillInn #TallTales #GhostStories #GreatBritishPubs #HauntedPubs #Werewolf

Tan Hill Tales – The Story of the Highest Pub in Great Britain

Ricky Marshall — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:27:26 +0000

Chronicling the History, exploring the Mythology & Delving into the Legend of the World Famous Inn.

by Hamish bell

Prologue – The Dawn of Time

The Tan Hill Inn is undoubtedly and incontestably the highest pub in Great Britain. At 1732ft above sea level it gazes down upon all pretenders to the title, content in the knowledge that there would need to be some extreme shifting of the earth and some pretty spectacular seismic activity for any hypsometric wannabe to elevate themselves up into a position that surpasses our coveted altitude. But of course that is not going to happen, our entry in the Guinness book of records, we believe is pretty secure!

But could there be another record that this famous North Yorkshire pub is eligible for? It has certainly been here for a long time. But it couldn’t possibly claim to have a place amongst the oldest public houses in the land. Or could it? No one is really sure for how many hundreds of years, an inn has stood here in at this lonely site. However, a hostelry of some sort has occupied this lofty position for so long, that an exact date of when the first pub came to be built and when the very first pint was pulled or poured, has long since been forgotten, it’s origins alas, have been lost in the mists of time. If we knew for sure, then, perhaps the Tan Hill Inn could indeed challenge whatever pub holds the record of being the oldest drinking establishment in Great Britain! Unfortunately, there is no documentation, no deeds, or any delicate papyrus scrolls or chiselled stone tablets waiting to be deciphered, (none that we are aware of anyway!) that could impart that information. So how the first inn came about and who had the foresight to build it, and why, remain unknown! It is almost as if it has always been here, high above the clouds, hidden behind a veil of mist, nestling in the heather just waiting to be discovered by those lucky enough to stumble across it! Almost like some fabled utopian Shangri-La lost valley, but one that imparts great Beer, rather than ancient wisdom! But of course that is a ridiculous notion and is but the stuff of fairytales!

We can though, make intelligent guesses to the circumstances that led to its origins, based on what we know now and speculate on what we don’t. But for us to do so we must travel far back through the pages of history to an age before. Right back, almost to the very dawn of time itself!

Like most of northern Britain, for many centuries, the area that became North Yorkshire, where Tan Hill now stands was once frozen under great groaning and creaking sheets of ice. Then about 11,500 years ago the great glacier’s that carved, ground and shaped the landscape we recognise today retreated. The last ice age ended. Vegetation rapidly reclaimed the land, herd animals returned, creating well trodden familiar routes whilst migrating from one feeding ground to another, and soon after men followed!

It is worth noting that the roads across the moor that lead to where the pub now stands, follow lines of ancient track that are believed to date back over 5000 years ago to Neolithic-times. Are the roads across the moors today based upon these migratory routes of old? We cannot know for sure as there are other factors (we will look into later) that may have influenced the orientation of from where and to, these unsheltered lanes of old traversed! Tan Hills location may well have been known to early Stone Age hunter gatherers who would have passed this way. Though it is highly unlikely that these nomadic tribes erected any form of permanent structure to shelter under, prepare food or let alone serve pints! Perhaps they briefly stopped here from time to time, as they stalked their prey. Back then most of the country was covered in dense woodland, that stretched almost from coast to coast, and it was only the very high tops of fells and exposed rocky outcrop’s that were treeless. The early Britons that cut simple paths through the scrubby thickets of birch, juniper, heather and other upland plants would have found these treeless glades useful. Coming across a break in the canopy whilst trailing herds of reindeer, or tracking bear or other large predators to their lairs, could have proven advantageous! Or they may have just enjoyed the feeling of the Sun upon their faces as they cautiously left the cover of the trees!

Tan Hills exposed position could have provided such a clearing amongst the endless woodland. Standing upon the gritstone crag behind the pub does indeed provide onlookers with a powerful 360° vista of all the world around. The wandering hunters would have been able to establish their location there, and perhaps flush smaller quarry into the open, whilst keeping a wary lookout for encroaching danger such as the wolf packs that quietly followed in the reindeers wake! Tan Hill’s prominence and rocky vantage point, aloft the long since disappeared ancient upland scrub forest, may well have unwittingly decided the site for the future pub that stands here now!

50 Facts about Tan Hill Inn

Ricky Marshall — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:25:28 +0000

Our customers are always curious to learn more about the Tan Hill Inn, so to possess a rudimentary knowledge about this old pub and the surrounding area as-well is useful! This crib sheet combining-interesting facts, essential information and other quirky Tan Hill trivia, may be helpful to you in answering our customers most frequently asked questions . You never know it might inspire you to delve further into the history and folklore of this old pub, and before you know it, you will be able to engage anyone who wants to listen, in lively conversation about all things Tan Hill, as if you had been here for years!

Basic information

1. At 1732 feet or 528 metres above sea level we are the highest pub in the British Isles.

2. We are proudly situated in the county of North Yorkshire and on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park close to the borders of both Co Durham and Cumbria

3. Tan Hill is roughly the halfway point of the Pennine way, (Britain’s longest non coastal path which runs for 268 miles)

4. Our closest neighbours are over 4 miles away and the closest town is over 10.

5. We generate our own electricity, being totally off grid.

6. The pub sits above a natural supply of water, a spring once discovered by a water diviner using Hazel twig divining rods

Every day information

7. We have an online presence on Facebook and Instagram, as well as our own website www.tanhillinn.com and our Wi-Fi is free for all to use!

8. Food is served every day. However, there can be seasonal variations to our serving times, so do please ask! Being the busy place that we are, booking a table is always advisable, particularly if you are a large group.

9. Our chef’s prepare meals from fresh ingredients obtained locally (wherever possible) and all are made on the premises in a fully equipped, modern kitchen

10. Recently renovated, we offer classically decorated comfortable bedrooms(twin, double &family rooms) all with modern en-suite facilities.

11. Camping

Camper vans are welcome (generally no booking required!)
No Caravans allowed unfortunately
Wild camping (no booking required). We have an area where tents can be pitched.
No barbecues or open fires allowed outside!( the moorland is very susceptible to wildfire which
can devastate local wildlife!)
The small fee taken for any form of camping is donated to local charities

12. Dogs are welcome. We are a canine friendly pub, but we do ask that they are kept on a lead. This is very important, particularly outside in consideration to the sheep and their lambs that roam freely nearby and ground nesting birds (See point 22)

13. Live music plays here regularly from Thursday through to Saturday

Thursday is an open mic acoustic night. It is an evening to which all musicians of any ability can
join in. We can even provide instruments to those that can play, if they haven’t brought their own!
Friday and Saturday night live music is usually played in the barn, which can be both free or
ticketed events
Checkout the webpage or Facebook for all the regularly updated details!

General Information

14. You can get married here (and we were the first pub in the country to do so)

15. We have a large barn with its own bar that caters for many different types of functions!

16. We sell a wide selection of merchandise from mugs, and glasses to, T-shirts and hoodies, biscuits ,chocolate and much more, all of which make great souvenirs to remind guests of their visit here, or fantastic gifts, for friends, family, and even pets!

17. We also have our own ale, lager, stout, gin, rum and more, all available at the bar to enjoy here, or again taken home as souvenirs or gifts!

18. We serve eight hand pulled real ales, the very best of local breweries alongside some interesting guest ales all of which are nurtured from delivery to pint. We were so very proud that our efforts were recognised by CAMRA(campaign for real ale), and Tan Hill is now included in the prestigious 50th edition of the Good Beer guide!

19. On the last Thursday in May, for over 70 years, the Tan Hill Swaledale Sheep Show has been held here, exhibiting the very best of the local hardy breed.

20. Santa Claus and his reindeer visit Tan Hill regularly every year throughout December until Christmas Eve

21. The area of moorland around Tan Hill is an important breeding site for ground nesting birds such as Curlew, Lapwing, golden plover and other more endangered species and rare visitors, that you may be lucky enough to see!

22. Did we mention ghosts? There are some reputedly, including ex landlady Susan Peacock who has made her presence known, only appearing when she disapproves of any changes afoot in the pub!! Glasses have been thrown off the bar shelves, but whether it’s Mrs Peacock, or something else, we cannot be sure! There are other ghosts here, dare you ask about them?

Historical information

There were once many inns like Tan Hill, serving the needs of those that travelled the lonely roads that crossed the high uplands of the country. All have long since disappeared , unable to adapt to ever changing times. So for our pub to have survived into the 21st-Century, weathering not only the elements, but a turbulent and colourful history is quite the remarkable feat!

23. The name Tan Hill derives from the Celtic words ’Tan Heol ’which roughly translates as ‘The hill of Fire ‘due to the beacon pyres once lit to mark both midsummer and midwinter solstices and celebrate the passing of the seasons

24. Remains of older structures have been unearthed here supporting the belief this site has been a place of gathering for a very long time, perhaps as far back as 600 BC

25. In 984 A.D. the Vikings were defeated in the battle of Stainmore and their fearsome King, Eric Bloodaxe was slain, a mere stone-throw away, well within sight of the pub!

26. In 1085 an entry in the Doomsday book dismisses the area the pub resides in as a “ wasteland! “ Which probably justified the decision of the compilers of this important manuscript not to travel into what would have been a dangerous and lawless land!

27. Tan Hill was once known as the Kings Pit Inn, named after one of the local collieries, it served the needs of miners as far back as the 12th century when coal was first dug here. Though, as to which King it is that the pit is attributed to, we can find no record!

28. The pub is first mentioned in print in 1586 where it is described as a “solitary inn amongst a vast mountainous tract! “

29. The pub was an important stop off point for drovers, taking cattle and sheep to the livestock markets on either side of the Pennines

30. Mary, Queen of Scots, at the start of 19 years of incarceration in various venues allegedly stayed here whilst en route from Carlisle to Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire,

31. Highwayman Dick Turpin was said to have used Tan Hill as a place, to lie low, and stable, his steed ‘ Black Bess’

32. Landlady Susan Peacock allegedly, kept an army service-revolver behind the bar, once firing bullets above the head of an unruly customer, who had refused to leave!

Metrological information

Discussing the weather is a particular favourite British past time. Tan Hill’s weather is notoriously changeable. We can go from sunshine to snow, with rain, mist, thunder, and lightning and , everything in between within a matter of minutes. It is a subject that fascinates our customers who often inquire when the snow will arrive, and when are they likely to be snowed in!…..

33. winter is coming! Snow can fall anytime from late September to early June.(10 months of the year. Hail storms in July and August have sometimes been mistaken for snow. But there is no record of snow falling in these two months.

34. White Christmases are not uncommon at Tan Hill, and it’s rare to not have snow around the festive period.

35. In one of the great winters of the last century, it snowed almost continually from December through to the end of March. The first customer of the year arrived in April.

36. More recently over 60 customers, staff and a rock‘n’roll cover band was snowed in for four days of blizzards in a winter storm, a story that made news around the world!

37. Magical, white rainbows, or mist bows are one of the rarer weather phenomena that do occur round Tan Hill

38. With a clear view of the northern horizon Tan Hill is ideally positioned to witness the wonder of the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, Highly unpredictable, the conditions have to be absolutely perfect for them to appear, but when they do, it is really quite something!

39. Tan Hill is in a designated dark skies sanctuary, and when the weather is performing favourably, the star scape above our location, is quite spectacular, making the pub a popular destination for astronomers.

Media information and miss-information

Tan Hill has courted the media throughout its history in print, radio, television, and film. These highlights are just a few of a great many more.

40. It is generally thought that the Everest double glazing advertisement in the early 1980s first brought Tan Hill to a wider audience, Featuring Ted Moult with his trusty feather demonstrating that newly installed window’s despite the howling wind outside were draught free, It is still fondly remembered today

41. Bearing a striking resemblance to the ‘slaughtered Lamb‘ the pub in cult horror movie ‘An American werewolf in London’, Tan Hill has often been mistaken for the location where it was shot! The association has proved fortuitous for Tan Hill, which went on to appear in the 1990s pastiche of the film in a tv advertisement for Vodafone

42. Radio X DJ Chris Moyles birthday show was broadcasted from here in Feb 2022.

43. Popular detective series Vera was also filmed here recently,

44. Clive Owen and his son Ruben, the stars of channel fives, ‘Beyond the Yorkshire farm’, as our closest neighbours, often pop in for a drink at the end of their working day.

45. A broad range of factual shows have featured Tan Hill, ranging from Paul Merton travelling through Yorkshire in a camper-van, and Craig Revel-Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli, popping in for a drink and hearing some grisly history of the pubs past from our
resident historian

46. James May has filmed at Tan Hill for other TV shows as well as Episodes of Top Gear which have utilised the roads round the pub. Richard Hammond, was here last whilst his co-presenters filmed nearby on what turned out to be the day that the infamous incident occurred, that cost Jeremy Clarkson his job!

47. Other celebrities that have either filmed here or popped in for a visit, include Alfred Wainwright, Griff, Rhys Jones, Timothy Dalton, Ellie Harrison, Toby Jones, Mark Little, Natalie Imbruglia, Helen Skelton, Alan Bennett, Hannah Hauxwell, Craig Doyle, Oz Clarke, Kyle Mclauchlan, Stephen Gough aka the ‘naked rambler’ and many more

48. It is rather fitting that the MP for the highest pub in Great Britain, holds the highest office in the land. On a dreary mid week morning in-2015 the newly appointed MP for the constituency of Richmond (Yorks) Rishi Sunak, arrived at an almost empty pub for coffee. he conversed with the only member of staff, who was on duty at the time about the history of the pub,. As a gesture of goodwill the barman graciously let him have the coffee on the house. When he left, the future Prime Minister shook the hand of the friendly barman, said ‘I owe you one!’ (I haven’t forgotten Rishi!)

49. A recent poll voted to find the best Christmas tv advertisement was won by the 2017 entry produced by Waitrose featuring customers and staff in a snowed in Tan Hill pulling together, to create a Christmas feast!

50. The Tan Hill inn has a team of friendly hard-working staff(some whom have been here for many years!)all of whom alongside the owners, care and love this very special lonely isolated pub high on the top of the hill! We want you to love it too, enjoy working here, and assist us in ensuring that all our visitors have both an enjoyable and memorable experience and ultimately leave having fallen in love with it, too!