This was a really interesting little area. Elslack and Broughton.
The Church here at Elslack took a bit of finding.
It's an early Norman Church with additions up to the 15th Century. It's actually stood on this spot for over Nine hundred years.
The parish actually had a larger population two hundred years ago than it does now. By all accounts it is a popular place for weddings and was reviewed in a very favourable manner by Alan Bennet in his diaries.
It was a spectacular building to see.
The graveyard had some really ancient graves and tombs within it's grounds.
It turned out to be quite an interesting little area did Elslack.
This public house dated back to 1786. From this side, which is how we came across the same, we had no idea it was going to be such a large or so popular hotel, restaurant, pub as it turned out to be.
It was really impressive from the 'New Front'
![http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk175/JimmyTheJoint/Miscellaneous%20Photographs/106.jpg](http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk175/JimmyTheJoint/Miscellaneous%20Photographs/106.jpg)
It had obviously been extended over the years, and had a very contemporary look to it, whilst retaining it's 'Old Worldly' Charm.
The following was taken from the Internet, I thought it quite a good appraisal and review.
CALM AND COMPETENCE REIGN AT THE INAPTLY NAMED TEMPEST. Paddy Burt article published in the Telegraph on Saturday 10th February 200710 February 2007CALM AND COMPETENCE REIGN AT THE INAPTLY NAMED TEMPEST.
On booking dinner, bed and breakfast at the Tempest Arms, I'm not asked for a deposit or even an address. I email confirmation and receive a reply saying the pub can only do dinner at six - much too early! Then I'm told that some unauthorised person took my original call. A few minutes later, a man phones to say that they can offer us dinner at 8.30pm. Curiouser and curiouser.
On arrival in the bar we're given a key and directed to a large stone building next door. We climb the stairs and open the door to one of the nicest hotel rooms ever. Not only is it large, but it has a small balcony and a view of a stream and Yorkshire stretching into the far yonder.
There's more: a large, wall-mounted flat television - with what look like all the digibox programmes - and a big squashy sofa from which to watch it. The furniture is dark wood and modern - could be Indian. Next to the sofa is a glass-fronted gas/coal stove and, like everything else, it's new and it works. Even better, we've arrived early enough to enjoy it. The bathroom has a powerful shower above the bath and a low-power spotlight that's always on, in case we need to use the loo in the dark. I was told this room costs £99. Perhaps I misheard and it's really £199.
When we go down to the bar, we realise that the Tempest is much bigger than it looks. Apart from a large bar area, there are two dining rooms and a large function room. We ask for glasses of wine, rather than a bottle, so he can have red while I stick to white.
Soon we're being offered menus. I ask for seafood pancake to start, followed by what they describe as "Lamb Thingy-me-Bob", with minted gravy and redcurrant. My husband decides on the game broth, because it's the season, then Moroccan lamb curry with rice, poppadums and dips. It's all very informal. By the time our table is ready, the bar has standing room only.
In the restaurant, we find ourselves sitting next to a family birthday party. We assume they are local. The food is on the hearty side, the pancake more like fish lasagne. The Lamb Thingy-me-Bob is a flavoursome but large shank, a bit too filling for me, and comes with new potatoes to which I have misguidedly added peas. My husband's game broth is, he says, fine. He was wondering whether the curry would be made in the kitchen or with ready-made sauces. As he finds a cardamom pod in his, he decides it must be kitchen-made.
From the "Puddings, Sweets and Lots of Treats" menu, he chooses rhubarb crumble "with lashings of custard" and I choose flapjack. It comes with raisin ice cream and clotted cream, which I can never resist.
Staggering back to our lovely room, we light the fire and watch a bit of television. In the bathroom, in front of a basket filled with bubbles, shampoos etc, is a notice: "Use them, leave them, take them home - but please don't pinch the bathrobes."
I have had a letter from a reader saying that some of the places I like are not hotels and are not suitable for "a celebratory weekend". Maybe, but readers must make up their own minds. The Tempest is a pub, with a bar, but if the rooms are all like ours, the lack of a residents' lounge may not matter.
At breakfast we find a menu that says: "Good Morning - start the day our way." On a big table are yogurt, grapefruit, muesli, fruit salad, pots of jam and a jar of home-made marmalade. In charge is Martin, who has the authority of a senior BA steward. "What about the Yorkshire platter?" my husband asks. "Go for it - you can always leave what you can't manage," Martin replies. "More coffee, anyone?" he asks as he strides around the room, making sure people are happy and, even better, making them laugh.
The Tempest Arms, Elslack, Skipton BD23 3AY (01282 842450, The Tempest Arms - a fine experience). Paddy Burt paid £99 for b & b; £16.77 for drinks; £43.97 for dinner. Total: £159.74
Looks like I have to take Flobo there for a night this autumn