The Blue Lion
The Blue Lion descritpion
Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the award-winning Blue Lion offers a candlelit restaurant, a garden and free parking. It features open fires and flagstone floors.
An en suite bathroom or shower room, TV and tea/coffee making facilities are featured in each room at The Blue Lion.
Freshly prepared meals are served in the on-site restaurant, which use a variety of local Yorkshire ingredients. A wide selection of wines are also available to choose from.
Scenic countryside and a wide range of hiking trails can be found within the Yorkshire Dales, as well as the 14th-century fortress of Bolton Castle, which is just over 10 miles from The Blue Lion.
Recommand
Low rates——Best price for 2 guests: $67+ • No booking fees • Save money!Best price guarantee — enter dates to see these prices!
15 properties in Leyburn——Including hotels, apartments, villas and more.
Manage your bookings online——Sign up for a FREE account·View a single booking.
90 independent reviews——We verify all reviews from guests who've stayed at The Blue Lion. Find out more about Booking.com Reviews.
The staff speaks English——The Blue Lion's staff speaks:English
Booking is safe——When you book with us your details are protected by a secure connection.
Facilities of The Blue Lion
Outdoors ：Grounds
Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Food & Drink ：Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Special Diet Meals (upon request)
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Packed Lunches | Babysitting/Child Services | Laundry | Meeting/Banquet Facilities | Fax/Photocopying
General ：Newspapers | Non-smoking Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Reviews for The Blue Lion
Review 1：Bed small uncomfortable.Room tired but functional.Bathroom fine.Car parking good.Staff most helpful.Second time staying here.Courtyard rooms much better than the one we had in main building.Food is great in the evening & breakfast very good.
Review 2：Bar was delightful.food excellent.good wine list.
Review 3：Rooms a little tired with few little welcoming touches that can make a stay memorable. Lightng throughout was poor - great to save energy but shedding light can be helpful! Dinner only ok and breakfast standard but nothing special.
Review 4：Cosy gastro pub atmosphere and, mainly, friendly staff. Location good for access to the Dales and some fine walking and scenery.
Review 5：The food was superb and the breakfasts excellent. The atmosphere in the bar and restaurant were friendly and cosy. The staff were discrete and very helpful. The Blue Lion was in an excellent area for visiting the area.
Review 6：Nothing - everything was just fine
Review 7：I always enjoy this place. Food is excellent and the bar has excellent atmosphere. Village location and the nice village green with autumn colours was devine.
Review 8：we booked two nights dinner bed and breakfast for a family get together. We were beautifully entertained in a dining room all to ourselves and made to feel incredibly welcome. The food and service was excellent making it a special and memorable event.
Review 9：The dog-friendly bedroom was upstairs in the hotel, rather than in the courtyard, which would have seemed more sensible. Room was great though.
Review 10：The very attentive and helpful staff were excellent. Even when there was a small issue with one of our party's food, they were extremely quick to sort it out. Nowhere better to be than in the Dales.
Review 11：Our room could have done with some updating the fabrics were tired but nothing that would not stop us going again
Review 12：Food is glorious and staff are very well-trained and friendly
Review 13：...the place has barely changed in 20 years. Room was tired, has a must smell and there was considerable mould and mildew in the bathroom - none of which reflected the price paid. Dinner was also on the pricey side, and service, particularly at breakfast, a little surly.
Review 14：Picture post card location, lovely old building. Food (dinner and breakfast) reasonably tasty. The place has barely changed in 20 years....
Review 15：We were in a petite double and the shower room was rather cramped certainly would not be good for a larger person. Menu was good but rather pricey.
Review 16：Lovely location, and garden, clean comfortable room.
Review 17：The food was exquisite and the bar area is a gorgeous place to eat. Unfortunately because we didn't book a table we had to eat in the back on our own, which was a bit of a shame. Nevertheless we had a great stay and would recommend this lovely place.
Review 18：Our room was a great size, but it smelt of damp. Because it's an old building the windows were small, so there is no view from ground floor rooms & the room is dark. As the windows were small, it didn't help to air the room to shift the smell musty & damp. We left an air freshener & let the receptionist know, but we were a little disappointed as the room was £119 per night.
Review 19：The food was excellent. East Whitton is lovely & an excellent location to explore Wensleydale, Swaledale etc..
Review 20：casual attitude of staff , indifference poor selection of fruit for breakfast , no non slip mat in bath , expensive food and drinks
Review 21：nice large room , comfy bed
Review 22：Creaking floorboards when guests go to their rooms. Our breakfast dishes we had to ask for new ones as they were coated with debris from the dishwasher. There are areas that need re decorating it looks tired.
Review 23：Loved the building and the position it is in and the breakfast was lovely.
Review 24：The English language skills of the staff.
Review 25：The location was isolated although vey pitcturesque. The room size was more than adequate even though we booked a petite double.
Review 26：Wifi free but hit and miss in the accommodation
Review 27：The food was out of this world, restaurant quality pork belly was the best I have ever tasted. Staff very friendly
Review 28：Ran out of hot water. Breakfast: Bacon was like cardboard/Eggs overdone. Evening Meal: Base of Suet Pudding was inedible. Room was small. Furniture was cheap & nasty. TV too small. Soundproofing questionable. Overpriced! Miserable staff. Horrible milk in room.
Review 29：Wonderful village location. Splendid looking building with well manicured outside areas. Inside is 'olde worlde' and in character with the age of the building. Beer was good. Free sausages and snacks at bar.
Review 30：Our room (Room 5) was at the front over the bar area. There was a bit of conversation noise from the tables outside until about 11pm. Another time I would ask for a quieter room.
Review 31：The food was wonderful and the location amazing. The staff were friendly and helpful and the room was clean with a lovely modern bathroom
Review 32：I liked my room in the courtyard very much but quite dark inside with lace curtains at the window meant I had to keep the door wide open fortunately it was lovely and sunny outside. At night it was impossible to open a window for air. There was no lounge to sit in. I thought there could have been more variety at breakfast. Poached apricots and prunes 2 days running, why not a bowl of mixed berries eg: raspberries/strawberries/ blueberries,possibly different fruit juices and nice museli's not just kellogg packets. I had paid over £90 a night!!
Review 33：Very comfortable room Great location Staff all helpful and welcoming
Review 34：I stayed at The Blue Lion 2 nights with my dog. All rooms have outside access so was great for taking the dog out. Large garden. The room was clean, the bed comfortable. Bathroom very small but fine for 2 nights. Staff were helpful and friendly.
Review 35：En suite bathroom bit cramped and a grab rail over the bath would have been helpful for older guests.
Review 36：Very pleasant staff, lovely quiet setting and comfortable facilities.
Review 37：Unfortunately the staff were inconsistent in their standards of service. Ate in the restaurant, food good however they had run out off Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and refused opening an alternative wine to taste.
Review 38：Comfortable room.
Review 39：The room was on the cozy side - not much space for storing luggage. Bed mattress was a tad too hard for my back, but that's a question of personal preference. The bar area was very busy on arrival so it was tricky getting to our room.
Review 40：The room was comfortable, clean and welcoming. The attention to detail was also remarkable. The staff was very helpful. The restaurant food is excellent - thumbs up to the chef! The breakfast was equally lovely.
Review 41：Bedroom no 7 lacked daylight. Only two high level lights and ceiling lights very dull. Not a lot of choice of beers at the bar. Would go for bedroom in courtyard in future.
Review 42：The food and location. Excellent refurbished bathroom. Atmosphere.
Review 43：Close to Forbidden Corner Food was top class (Rib eye steak especially) Drinks not too expensive Staff were lovely and extra helpful Room was beautiful, tidy and clean with brilliant bath and shower Late check in
Review 44：The drinks at the bar were a bit pricey but you are in the country where the cost of living is higher. The wine served by the glass was high standard.
Review 45：We liked the Georgian aspects of the main reception rooms and the traditional feel to the bars. The food was excellent and the staff helpful and pleasant.
Review 46：My wife's main course went back as the Tuna was discribed as served pink.however it came out dry and over cooked it was replaced with another which whilst cooked perfectly had no sauce. (Couldn't be bothered to wait for a 3rd) Rooms are looking a bit tired and in need of remedial works ( paint, bathroom sealant, door lock etc etc) Seemed to be some confusion as they were expecting us for the night before even though we had confirmation via booking.com. Hence our 19.30 diner reservation was not in the book.......
Review 47：My food was lovely Friendly
Review 48：The room was tired and dirty, poorly lit with a stained carpet and bedcovers. The bathroom wall was cracked and the shower seal was hanging off. Really revolting and a complete ripoff at £238 for two nights.
Review 49：Nothing-like going back in time by twenty years for all the wrong reasons.
Review 50：Room was cold at night, shower was poor due to broken shower screen.
Review 51：Loved the location. Food was superb and staff were great.
Review 52：Room smelt of stale milk by window!
Review 53：Great food in relaxed stylish and elegant surroundings
Review 54：disappointing meal second night and no porridge at breakast
Review 55：excellent meal first night
Review 56：No hot water in the room by 9 am Food mediocre
Review 57：The food, setting and ambience at The Blue Lion is wonderful.
Review 58：Couldn't cool bedroom down. Sash windows in No 4 needs attention
Review 59：Charming staff
Review 60：Food was good... but not quite worth the prices charged!
Review 61：Some great walks straight from the hotel.
Review 62：Everything perfect. Welcome, staff, food, rooms, location. Our 4th visit and we will be back soon!
Review 63：The food and customer service is amazing!
Review 64：Pleasant rooms and helpful staff.
Review 65：Excellent location for touring the Dales. Lovely old inn with good food and atmosphere.
Review 66：staff a bit abrupt
Review 67：food
Review 68：DINNER AT THE BLUE LION WAS EXQUISITE STAFF EXCELLENT.
Review 69：Wonderful stay at this fantastic inn - gorgeous old fashioned decor, wonderful food, lovely polite staff - a hidden gem in God's Own County!
Review 70：No wi fi but we understand it is not the hotels fault.
Review 71：Rooms were excellent we stayed in the courtyard. The food is very good with a great selection.
Review 72：We were moved to a room more suitable for my husbands poor eye sight which we were very grateful for, the staff couldn't have been more helpful
Review 73：the meals on the menu could be change more often
Review 74：the bed and breakfast were great
Review 75：room basic for price but still enjoyed our stay
Review 76：food&great wine
Review 77：Starter very expensive and very poor
Review 78：warm welcome
Review 79：The quality of the food, warmth, comfy be, The White Company products in bathrooms, cosy bar
Review 80：Poached fish for dinner very disappointing-bland and flavourless.First poor meal I have had here.
Review 81：Location, ambience in bar, comfort, staff
Review 82：One minor quibble - squeaky en-suite door hinges. Seating in bar areas not very comfortable
Review 83：Very nice room. Food good Relaxed atmosphere
Review 84：Wonderful for gluten free visitors. Fantastic food and great service. Very attractive setting and beautiful inside and out.
Review 85：Lovely bar and dining room Good food Peaceful location
Review 86：Some of the staff in bar area were not very helpful or friendly
Review 87：The room and excellent breakfast
Review 88：Relaxed comfort in a beautiful setting. Very professional staff and great food.
Review 89：Very welcoming staff and atmosphere in the bar with very good food
Review 90：Try to get the main bar for atmosphere .The food is excellent and the staff competent and welcoming.
Review 91：The main course for dinner was not hot enough.We saw several diners send their main courses back to the kitchen.
Review 92：nothing
Review 93：fantastic food and ambience in the bar/restaurant in the evening with atmospheric log fire and candles
Review 94：Bathroom a bit chilly
Review 95：Cosy friendly ambiance, open fires and delicious food.
Review 96：small room and cramped bathroom. Shower over a bath is so old fashioned and dangerous if mobility limited.
Review 97：Excellent breakfast and dinner, particularly the chocolate pudding which is one of the best I have had.
Review 98：Nothing
Review 99：Everything
Review 100：Food and accommodation overpriced
Review 101：Bedroom furniture is a bit tired. Lighting in bar and dining room is too subdued for my liking
Review 102：The food was excellent
Review 103：Great people, great atmosphere, great food
Review 104：Good menu choice and very well presented. Wine by the glass was above the average.
Review 105：everything
Review 106：The room was very over priced considering how basic it was and the staff were not particularly friendly.
Review 107：Food was fantastic and the location is superb. The bar area is great and informal. We did a beautiful 6 mile walk from the hotel and ended up back there for lunch.
Review 108：We timed our arrival to coincide with the stated check-in of 2pm to then discover no food service available, without any options within close proximity.
Review 109：Friendly professional staff setting a high standard Superb food & wine
Review 110：The hospitality of the staff! They couldn't do enough for you. Made a special birthday for a family member very special. Also the food is fantastic! Will definitely be returning.
Review 111：Nothing.
Review 112：Everything! This place is just a diamond. Stayed there last 1 years ago for the stagnight of a very good friend and had been trying to get back ever since. And I was not disappointed. The place as real character and charm and the proprietors have really given the place great touches in the rooms and throughout. Dinner was excellent and the service was really professional - something so rare outside of London and a few other places. I really recommend this place to somebody wanting a quality experience in a beautiful rural Yorkshire setting. You won't be disappointed.
Review 113：Creaky floorboards in next doors room as well as our own were a bit annoying in the morning. Cold bathroom with no instructions on how to work the towel rail. Breakfast - eggs overcooked both mornings as was my bacon,think the hot plate might have been to blame, .
Review 114：The evening meals were fab, wi fi, good atmosphere, good base for getting about. Lovely staff. Homemade biscuits on tray. Lovely toiletries.
Review 115：It was a hot day (23C) yet the fires were still on in all the bars. This meant there was no cool area and a fairly unpleasant smell.
Review 116：Comfortable, relaxed and good food.
Review 117：I thought dinner did not live up to high expectations. On the other hand, breakfast and the buffet lunch put on were excellent. Price and the single traveller nearly always adverse!!
Review 118：The space and layout of the bedrooms with comfortable beds!
Review 119：Lack of comfortable seating in the room. Room ventillation was an old fashioned sash window with difficult access. Staff did not seem to know the area very well for giving directions. Would have to book early to use the dining room.
Review 120：Room was large , including the bed. Food was excellent
Review 121：The manner by which you seem to reserve most tables near the open fire in the Main Room/Bar, without them actually being reserved by people, leading you to ask, ''May I sit here, as no one seems to be coming ''. Also my bedroom window could not be opened.
Review 122：I liked the traditional, friendly,cosy atmosphere of an old English Hotel/Pub, set in a wonderful location. The Breakfast was very good. The open wood fire was fantastic.