Golden Lion

Built in the mid 1600s, this old coaching inn in the centre of town has two high-ceilinged, well-decorated rooms for drinking. The main bar features wood panelling, a grand staircase and a huge fireplace adapted for the wood-burning stove. The Lion's Den, accessed from the main bar area via a double door or via the old 'dwarf door' (dated 1671) off the street, is comfortable and pleasantly decorated with wooden flooring and dark wood-panelling to waist height. The spacious dining area to the right of the bar, refurbished in January 2018, is bright and colourful. Outside seating is available in the yard to the side and rear of the pub, some of it covered. The Lion is friendly and popular with both locals and visitors alike. The 14 letting rooms, all dog-friendly, are all in the main building. The Lion is usually a venue for planned and impromptu sessions during Settle Folk Gathering in early September. Coffee and cakes are available and Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 10. There is level access through the main door and to the toilets (not disabled) with a ramp to the outdoor drinking area. The bar usually stays open until 11, but access into the building from outside after 10.30 (earlier in winter) is for residents only. The current front of the pub used to be the rear before the pub was completely re-modelled when the turnpike to Skipton was built and Duke Street became the main road. The original entrance was onto Main Street which also provided access to the stables and the like. Look closely at the section of the frontage containing the dwarf door - it looks very like a back wall!