Sunday 27th July 2014 by Lawrence Bland
Three hikers caught the Dales Bus 832 (‘The Northern Dalesman’) service from Lancaster to Ingleton. A short walk along the River Twiss and then the party explored some of Ingleton’s industrial heritage. After a coffee in Bernie’s Café, famous among cavers, the big breakfasts looked enormous. It was now noon and opening time, a quick half in the Wheatsheaf, I tried the Lees MPA. A walk down to the Community Centre and the 881 bus (‘Ingleborough Pony’) to Austwick. Most of the party sampled the Thwaites Nutty Black, walking down to the Traddock, the usual 3 Peaks Pen-y-Ghent from Settle was available. Then a pleasant half-hour hike over to Clapham, passing the farm ‘don’t feed the bears’ and onto the Bunkhouse, a delightful bar and cafe in the Old Manor House, which dates back to 1620 with a fireplace from 1701 ‘don’t feed the badger’. Converted to a Reading Room and library and has been a pub for several years. Settle Golden Fleece was one of three beers on tap, Lancaster Straw and Moorhouses White Witch, the others. The bar has limited opening hours 10-6 (7 on Friday and Saturday), closed Tuesday, like the café (open 10-5). A stroll down to the New Inn, Copper Dragon New Inn Best Bitter was sampled, the Golden Pippin may have been a better pint! Back to Ingleton on the return 881 bus. A walk past the Ex-Servicemens Club (it’s always closed, Tetley Bitter was advertised outside), down under the bridge (pity you can’t walk over!) and along to Thornton-in Lonsdale and the Marton Arms, Castle Rock Harvest Pale was one of four real ales on. Back to Ingleton and a quick dash around the remaining pubs, Thwaites seasonal ‘Pure Shores’ in the Three Horseshoes, Brains SA Gold in the Craven Heifer, now the rain was starting, and an even quicker dash to the Old Brewery Inn and a Settle Classic. Then a return to Lancaster on the 832 service. An interesting day, plenty of short walks with beer tasting, sadly not scoring too highly!