Traditional Dales pub that hasn’t rung the changes (From Craven Herald)

New hosts keep up tradition at The Falcon, Arncliffe

9:00am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News

The late, great poet laureate John Betjeman may have been “summoned by bells” at his Highgate home but up in Littondale, guests at The Falcon are called to their dinner by a gong.

It peals out to alert the residents in the five letting rooms that their evening meal awaits.

It’s a tradition at the ancient pub in Arncliffe which is being perpetuated by the new hosts, Julie and Peter Carlton.

Peter, a former BBC producer, said: “We are carrying on the tradition - it’s just one of many at the pub which we are continuing with.

“It’s what makes the Falcon unique, along with the rustic atmosphere, the beer straight from the cask into an earthenware jug and into the glass and the fact the hotel has been selling Timothy Taylor’s best bitter for the last 15 years.”

Julie, who is experienced in the catering trade, and Peter are leasing the hotel from the owners, Robin and Elspeth Miller, and apart from a lick of paint and the introduction of a slightly larger range of food, it remains the same.

“We don’t have a huge range of food because we don’t have a commercial kitchen and everything is done on the Aga,” Peter explained.

Resident guests have a three course meal with essentially one main course and on Sundays people can enjoy a traditional roast.

“We love it here. It’s hard work but we enjoy the social side – listening to people’s stories – and the villagers have been very supportive.

“I think many people were scared stiff it would close,” he added.

And it must be what people are after because guests from as far afield as the United States and Japan return for more... and the special fishing for brown trout in the nearby Skirfare.