Three Yorkshire Dales pubs have joined forces under a new brand designed to encourage visitors to explore more of the area.
The Tan Hill Inn near Richmond, the Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw and the Station Inn at Ribblehead have been brought together under the banner The Famous 3 by owner Andrew Hields.
Although each pub will retain its own identity, the new umbrella brand aims to inspire visitors to travel between the three venues, broadening their appeal to walkers, cyclists and tourists exploring the national park.
The trio are among the Dales’ most recognisable destinations. The 17th-century Tan Hill Inn, standing 1,732ft (528m) above sea level near Keld, is Britain’s highest pub and attracts visitors from around the world with its remote location, accommodation and panoramic views.
The Green Dragon Inn, which dates back to the 13th century, sits in the village of Hardraw just a short walk from Hardraw Force, England’s highest single-drop waterfall, while the Station Inn at Ribblehead overlooks the famous Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle to Carlisle Railway as it celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. It is also a popular base for walkers taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
To coincide with the launch, Mr Hields has introduced The Famous 3 minibus service, allowing customers to travel between the pubs. He also plans to develop visitor packages covering one or more of the venues, as well as a rewards scheme for people who complete visits to all three.
Mr Hields said: “Each of these pubs are distinctive in their own right but they also have much in common – they are perfect gateways from which to explore the Yorkshire Dales.
“It makes sense for us as the operator of all three to bring them together under one umbrella title, but at the same time ensure that their individual and unique features are also celebrated.
“Our plan now is to continue looking at ways in which The Famous 3 can work together to really maximise the visitor experience for people heading to the Yorkshire Dales.”
The initiative is intended to encourage visitors to spend more time exploring different parts of the Yorkshire Dales while showcasing three of the region’s most historic and well-known inns.
