The Hack & Spade

In a hamlet west of Scotch Corner, this B&B was formerly a tiny Georgian ale house, which grew into a Victorian pub for labourers from the limestone quarry. It is a Jane Eyre sort of place, plain of face but individual and dependable within. A Guide insider rang ‘a slightly “Avon calling” doorbell’, and was welcomed by owner Jane Ratcliffe, who showed him to one of the tastefully styled bedrooms, with ‘obviously recent’ modern bathroom. Some rooms are small, but all have smart contemporary decor, a rainfall shower and Arran Aromatics toiletries. Zetland has a sofa at the foot of a super-king-size bed, a bath and separate shower, and dales views. New arrivals sit down at 4 pm to tea and cakes by a log-burner, and there is a small bar should they want something stronger. For dinner, Richmond is a five-minute drive away (see The Frenchgate, previous entry). In the morning, a buffet is set out in a dining room adorned with fishing rods, and the hostess, commended for her ‘non-intrusive sociability’, cooks a locally sourced full Yorkshire. Should you wish to send a postcard, you will find a letterbox is set into the flank wall.