Christmas Dinner in the Yorkshire Dales: Pubs and Restaurants Taking Bookings for 2026

Travellers looking ahead to next Christmas can already pencil in a Dales pub lunch or dinner — here is where to aim and what to avoid.

Why the Dales Fill Up Early for Christmas

Christmas bookings across the Yorkshire Dales tend to open in late summer, and the most desirable slots go by October. That is because many pubs have fewer than forty covers and only one sitting on Christmas Day. Places like the Angel Inn at Hetton, the Victoria Inn at Kirkby Malham and the Craven Arms in Appletreewick have built festive reputations over decades, so regulars rebook a year ahead. For 2026, expect the same pattern: if you want a table between noon and 3pm on 25 December, start enquiring by August. Lunch sittings usually run 12–3pm; evening dinners are rarer and often finish by 8pm.

Geography matters as much as the food. Grassington, Hawes, Reeth and Leyburn are the main hubs, but each has a different feel. Grassington is the busiest, with car parks filling by 11am on market days. Hawes sits on the A684, about 40 minutes from the M6 at Tebay and 30 minutes from the A1 at Leeming Bar, making it easier for a day trip from York or Harrogate. Reeth, in Swaledale, is quieter and a 20-minute drive from Richmond. Leyburn is handy for the A1 and has the widest choice of shops if you need last-minute essentials.

Where to Book and What to Expect

In Grassington, the Devonshire Arms and the Black Horse Hotel take Christmas bookings from September. Expect traditional turkey with all the trimmings, plus a vegetarian nut roast; three courses typically cost £45–£65 per person. The Devonshire is a 5-minute walk from the village square, where the Christmas market usually runs on the first two weekends of December. If you prefer a quieter setting, the Foresters Arms in Carlton, two miles east, offers a shorter menu but easier parking. I would book the Devonshire for atmosphere, but only if you can walk from your accommodation — parking is tight.

In Hawes, the Crown Hotel and the White Hart Inn are the main contenders. The Crown is on the main street, a two-minute walk from the Dales Countryside Museum, and has a large dining room that handles groups well. The White Hart is smaller and often full by early October. Both serve locally sourced lamb and Wensleydale cheese. For a more intimate meal, the Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw, a 15-minute walk from Hawes, takes bookings for Christmas lunch and has a roaring fire. It is a 30-minute drive from the A1 at Leeming Bar. I would choose the Green Dragon for couples and the Crown for families needing space.

Reeth, Leyburn and the Eastern Dales

Reeth has three pubs clustered around the green: the Black Bull, the Buck Hotel and the King's Arms. All take Christmas bookings, usually from mid-September. The Black Bull is the largest and most likely to have availability into November. The Buck is smaller and fills first. Prices are similar to Grassington: £40–£60 for three courses. Reeth is a 20-minute drive from Richmond and 45 minutes from Darlington. If you are coming from the A1, leave at Scotch Corner and take the A6108 — the scenery through Swaledale is worth the slower pace. I would book the Black Bull for a group of six or more.

Leyburn is the most convenient base for the eastern Dales. The Bolton Arms and the Black Swan take Christmas bookings, and both are within a five-minute walk of the market square. The Black Swan is the more formal option, with a set menu that usually includes Yorkshire pudding with the turkey. Leyburn is 15 minutes from the A1 at Leeming Bar and 25 minutes from Northallerton. For 2026, expect bookings to open in August. I would book the Black Swan for a special occasion, but skip it if you want a casual pint — the bar is small and gets crowded.

Making a Trip of It: Where to Stay

Most Dales pubs stop serving Christmas dinner by 6pm, so an overnight stay makes the day relaxed. Grassington has the Grassington House Hotel and the Black Horse Hotel, both a short walk from the square. In Hawes, the Crown Hotel and the White Hart Inn have rooms; the Crown is larger and better for families. Reeth has the Black Bull, which has recently refurbished rooms, and the Buck Hotel. Leyburn has the Bolton Arms and the Black Swan, plus several B&Bs on the edge of town. Book accommodation at the same time as your table — rooms sell out for the Christmas week by November.

If you are coming from further afield, the nearest mainline stations are Northallerton (for Leyburn and Reeth) and Garsdale or Ribblehead on the Settle–Carlisle line (for Hawes and Ribblehead). Taxis are limited, so pre-book. Driving times: York to Grassington is 1 hour 20 minutes; Leeds to Hawes is 1 hour 40 minutes; Manchester to Reeth is 2 hours via the M6 and A684. For a stress-free Christmas, I would stay two nights: Christmas Eve for a quiet pub supper and Christmas Day for the main meal. Check each pub's website for 2026 booking opening dates, and call rather than email — many Dales pubs still prefer the phone.

Questions, answered

When should I book Christmas dinner in the Yorkshire Dales for 2026?

Most Dales pubs open their Christmas booking books in August or September 2026, and the best slots go by October. Call directly — many small pubs do not take online bookings. If you want a table between noon and 3pm on 25 December, enquire by late summer.

Which Yorkshire Dales towns are best for Christmas dinner?

Grassington, Hawes, Reeth and Leyburn are the main hubs. Grassington is the busiest, Hawes is easiest from the M6, Reeth is quietest, and Leyburn is handiest for the A1. Each has at least two pubs taking bookings, with three courses typically £40–£65 per person.

Do Yorkshire Dales pubs serve Christmas dinner in the evening?

Rarely. Most serve Christmas lunch between noon and 3pm, and some add a second sitting until 5pm. Evening dinners are uncommon and usually finish by 8pm. If you want an evening meal, look for a hotel restaurant rather than a village pub.

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