Old School Tearoom, Hebden

If you’re wondering where to get a very good espresso and a sublime home made scone in the Dales, by-pass Grassington and head on a couple of miles down the road to Hebden. Blink and you’ll miss it. Which would be your loss, since the Old School Tea Room is a bit of a treasure.

I was wafting around the other day and our friends from the lovely Swallow’s Nest (fab self-catering cottage) suggested I visit. It’s easy enough to find once you’re in the village, the clue is in the name.

Inside, lovely old oak floors, scrubbed tables and a lofted ceiling. All the papers, low-level tunes and no rush. It’s roomy and comfortable, and a window seat looks out across the hills – stunning.

 Owner Maggie stumbled across the place about three years ago when she got lost on a walk, saw the building was for sale and fell for it. Along with daughter Emma, she makes all the dishes (steak and ale pie, lamb Wellington, beef casserole etc) and the cakes, serves the aforementioned espresso, and finds time to host music events and vintage tea parties – what a cracking place for a get-together.

Open all week (10am – 5pm) except Tuesdays