Tucked away in the rolling green folds of the Yorkshire Dales, the village of Appletreewick (pronounced “App-trick” by locals) feels like stepping into a postcard. With its winding country lanes, ancient stone cottages, and spectacular views over Wharfedale, this tiny gem of a village is everything people dream of when they picture rural England.
Sheep roam freely across nearby fells, dry stone walls stretch across emerald hills, and walkers stop to catch the breathtaking scenery. Though home to only a few dozen residents, the village has a rich history. It once thrived thanks to lead mining and farming, and now is quietly famous for offering an authentic slice of the Yorkshire Dales lifestyle.
Despite its size, Appletreewick is big on charm. It’s been the inspiration for writers and artists, and a stop-off for hikers traversing the Dales Way.
But perhaps its most talked-about feature these days is one remarkable local institution: The Craven Arms, dubbed by many, including The One Show in 2017, as the “best pub in the world.”
This 17th-century inn is almost 500 years old, and brims with character. With its low ceilings, flickering log fires, and traditional decor, it’s the heart and soul of the village.
TikTok’s @YorkshireFoodGuide recently called it “a quirky country pub loved by locals and visitors alike,” and it’s easy to see why.
The pub serves up Yorkshire classics like its legendary steak and ale pie, giant fish and chips, and award-winning sticky toffee pudding, all best enjoyed with a pint of local Hetton Pale Ale.
There’s even a Cruck Barn next door, a timber-framed structure that hosts ferret racing, live music, and other joyful oddities that give Appletreewick its unforgettable charm.
Appletreewick is a place where visitors come to walk, breathe, rest, and reconnect, whether that’s hiking the surrounding dales, enjoying a pint with a view in a hillside beer garden, or staying the night in one of the pub’s cosy shepherd’s huts.