The dependable, long-standing village inn
A Norman church, a village green, pretty sandstone cottage their gardens brimming with hollyhocks and campanula, there can hardly be a prettier village within the National Park, surrounded as it is, by lush, verdant countryside.
Osmotherley sits on the western edge of the National Park, just off the A19, six miles east of Northallerton, close to the lovely Mount Grace Priory. The Golden Lion in the heart of the village is a convenient halt for walkers, on the Cleveland Way National Trail and the Lyke Wake Walk.
The exemplary 18th-century inn has long provided good, homely, well-cooked food to locals, visitors and weary walkers. Old beams, whitewashed walls and seating provided by a mismatch of chairs and old church pews make for a welcoming vibe helped by the warmth of a log fire and candles, one of their hallmarks, which are lit whatever the time of day or evening.
Christie Connolly has been the owner and head man at the Golden Lion for almost 30 years, never allowing changing fashion to alter his vision of a welcoming pub serving a good plate of food in comfortable surroundings.
Nick Baker runs front of house with charm and efficiency along with a team who provide a crowd-pleasing menu with dishes like mussels in white wine, cream and garlic; deep-fried salt and pepper squid; salmon fishcake with beurre blanc sauce; burger and chips; lentil and coconut curry and steak and chips. Finish perhaps with crème brulee; sticky toffee pudding or an English classic of suet jam roly poly and custard.
The Golden Lion is an exemplary country inn providing dependable pub classics in a lovely setting.