Tucked away in the lush greenery of the Yorkshire Dales lies a charming grey stone village that serves as an excellent starting point for rural adventures.

Kettlewell, with its array of campsites, is the ideal pit stop for keen walkers and explorers seeking a place to rest their weary legs and indulge in hearty  food and drink.

The village boasts three historic inns, a testament to its past significance as a transport hub, which now function as pubs.

One visitor to the area praised it for having “views beyond compare”, according to a TripAdvisor review. They wrote: “Driving around the dales was an absolute delight; we had to keep stopping to take piccies of stunning scenery. Any town or village is worth visiting.”

Another echoed these sentiments, saying: “Beautiful village with three amazing pub restaurants and two tea rooms. The properties and scenery are amazing. We have stayed on 4 occasions over the years and plan on another visit soon.”

Eating Out

What endears Kettlewell to walkers is its selection of eateries and pubs. The Blue Bell is the oldest of them all, nestled in the heart of the village by the water.

This cosy pub, complete with log fires and wooden beams, welcomes visitors year-round for a well-pulled pint. Their menu features pub favourites such as fish and chips and hearty pies, perfect for replenishing energy after a day’s trekking.

Flanking it are the village’s two other beloved public houses, The Kings Head and Racehorses Hotel, an 18th-century establishment that has preserved its character throughout the centuries. Claiming the top position for dining on TripAdvisor, though, is actually the Kings Head, which patrons have described as a “proper Dales pub”.

They wrote: “We’ve been to this pub several times over the last few years. It’s compact and very cosy; it can get crowded with only 20 or 30 visitors, but that’s one of the things we love about it. The locals are friendly; they love this place and are very welcoming to everybody who supports it.”

The culinary delights don’t end there, as this peaceful village also boasts two charming cafes, with the more traditional being The Cottage Tea Room. A few streets away sits And Then – Tasting Deli, celebrated by guests for its “outrageously good coffee” and welcoming atmosphere.

One visitor said: “We visited a couple of times during our stay in Kettlewell and were impressed with the quality of the food and drink, and we found the service very friendly from the owner and all the staff.

“Prices were reasonable given how good everything was, and we enjoyed our visits sat in by the cosy log burner. Our takeout Wensleydale sandwiches were top-notch too!”.

Summit

On its doorstep lies a plethora of walks through the stunning Dales, with the most popular from Kettlewell being the trek to Great Whernside. This peak’s highest point looms over the village and attracts keen walkers from across the nation.

It was only in 1997 that public access to the summit was granted, leading to the construction of two footpaths guiding you to the top. One of these paths originates directly from Kettlewell, while the other escorts you along the summit ridge.

The strenuous walk can take up to four hours, but the route is well signposted with clear footpaths marking the way up. Upon reaching the summit, you find yourself at an elevation of approximately 1800 feet.

Among the Yorkshire tourist attractions is the ‘Dales 30’, comprising 30 mountains, some of which stand over 2,000 feet high, and this happens to be one of them.

However, it’s important not to confuse this hike with Whernside, which is one of the three highest peaks in Yorkshire, located on the Cumbria border.