The Angel at Hetton is a culinary escape from the elements. The ivy-covered venue offers a solace of hospitality in the hostile beauty of the surrounding moor and farming land. Indoors you’ll often see guests warming themselves by the fire with a local ale while others opt for dinner at one of Britain’s most renowned Michelin starred restaurants. This is your sign to indulge – sink into a grey-padded chair and browse the seasonal tasting menus on offer.

The hamlet of Hetton is a classic country residence. If driving the winding, narrow roads didn’t require your full attention, you’d blink and miss it. The area offers a stunning immersion into the rural Yorkshire Dales lifestyle, and visitors can admire the characteristic drystone walls and landscapes of the national park. Nearby, the town of Skipton was voted as the happiest place to live in 2017, an award that speaks volumes of the local atmosphere.

The Angel at Hetton has a history to match its stately Yorkshire Dales surroundings. The building dates back to the 15th century – revered by many as the UK’s original gastropub. Now, The Angel at Hetton holds a well-deserved spot in the 2021 Michelin Guide, providing both fine dining and five-star accommodation. Chef Michael Wignall pioneers the restaurant’s revolutionary development in the luxury dining sector, holding prestige of his own with a string of Michelin stars to his belt. 

Guests are welcomed with a fine a la carte menu, with the option of three or two courses. Seated at light-wood tables, guests can sample luxury main dishes such as turbot, a meaty flatfish popular in high-end dining. If the turbot seems tempting, its accompaniments will only increase the appeal – with the fish served alongside ‘courgette tempura, smoked pike roe & elderflower’. The Norfolk Quail is another popular option on the a la carte menu, served complete with ‘dandelion, sunflower and miso, artichoke, calves sweetbread & Australian winter truffle’.

Alternatively, guests can opt for the exquisite tasting menu experience. Diners are treated to a selection of snacks before progressing to a series of main dishes, followed by traditional English strawberries and cream, then an indulgent dessert. Lunch tasting menus include three main dishes, and dinner tasting menus include five. Those with dietary requirements needn’t worry, with adaptations available on request and an entire tasting menu specially curated for vegetarian diners.

Of course, Sunday lunch brings a whole menu of its own. Between 12 pm and 2 pm, guests are treated weekly to a five-course menu. Described by its website as ‘the highlight of the weekend’, enjoy snacks, starter dishes, a main, and a dessert or cheese board of your choice. The menu offers three mains of choice, including the Salt Aged Beef Fillet, accompanied with caramelised onion. The Norfolk Quail is served poached and roasted, with ‘shiitake mushrooms, thai shallots and cos lettuce’, while the turbot is also served steamed as a Sunday addition.

 

While the restaurant’s high-end dining is well worth a journey into the Dales, The Angel at Hetton also offers luxury, five-star accommodation options for guests wishing to elongate their Yorkshire Dales experience. The property boasts a series of room options, including several studio rooms featuring traditional furnishing and expansive country views. Within the comfort of the main stone building, guests can select from four deluxe rooms, each with a king or queen-sized bed. For an extra splash of indulgence, you can book one of the property’s seven suites. Each suite offers a distinctive touch of thoughtful luxury, such as a four-poster bed or outdoor terrace for private viewing over the Dales – so make sure to enquire upon booking.

Those domestically travelling may also wish to consider The Angel at Hetton’s dog-friendly policy before securing a room. Certain rooms allow guests to spoil their pet with a luxury stay, which is excellent considering the abundance of scenic walks on the property’s doorstep. The Angel at Hetton is an approximate 20-minute drive from the iconic limestone cliff formation of Malham Cove, a site of natural beauty believed to be eroded by melting glaciers in the Ice Age period. 10-minutes further afield, the Duke of Devonshire-owned Bolton Abbey Estate offers 12th-century monastery ruins and well-kept, scenic trails for easy walking.

The Angel at Hetton collectively epitomises the culture and history of Yorkshire hospitality while bringing an extra layer of luxury through its focus on quality produce and dishes. Enjoy the clean country air and Michelin-starred cuisine, or treat yourself to a stay in the property’s adjoining accommodation. The Angel at Hetton is recommendable in the utmost confidence.