Shibden Mill Inn, West Yorkshire

Overview

Settled in the fold of a wooded glen and close to Halifax, the stunning 17th century Shibden Mill Inn is an ideal spot to lose yourself in some luxurious comfort. The Mill team have built an excellent reputation for good food - earning their place in the Michelin Guide and Waitrose Good Food Guide. Whether you're after a pint and a sandwich or settling down for the evening, you're certainly in safe hands here.

The interior boasts black-beamed rooms and logged fires, proving the perfect spot to while away a wintry afternoon supping a pint and perusing the paper. Summery days invite guests out onto the charming sheltered patio garden, where guests can take lunch at one of the chunky oak tables. Or, head to the terrace out front, enjoy the views of the charming whitewashed inn over a glass of wine or a delicious alfresco lunch. At the end of the day, guests can enjoy one of the distinctive bedrooms, which offer luxurious and contemporary accommodation, as well as big breakfasts sure to set keen walkers up for the day.

Rooms from

Doubles and suites: £125

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Parking available
Private and alfresco dining

Family favourite
Children have their own menu and there's also a mini roast available on Sundays.

A touch of culture
Literary enthusiasts should head to the world-famous Bronte Parsonage, former home of the Bronte sisters which opened as a museum in 1928.

Outdoor adventures
Enjoy excellent walking from Shibden Mill's own doorstep - or head to the more challenging Calderdale Way.

Rooms

Reflecting the attention to detail that has given Shibden Mill its classy character, the eleven rooms have bags of contemporary style and individual panache. They're all different shapes and sizes with vibrant wallpaper, stylish blinds and interesting artworks, as well as comfy mattresses and thoughtful details like retro digital radios and modern TVs. Bathrooms are smart and contemporary, two featuring monsoon showers or stand-alone baths. If the 'Staying in Sunday' promotion sounds like your thing, pick a DVD from the library and settle down with a bucket of popcorn and a bottle of wine.

The Shibden understands the importance of a hearty breakfast, and the inn welcomes early-risers and walkers to stop by and sample their gorgeous breakfast menu. Choose from Welsh rarebit and roast tomatoes on homemade bread or a delicious Yorkshire-cured ham and tomato omelette.

Restaurant & bar

Passion for locally sourced ingredients shine through the menus from breakfast through to supper - and the high quality of the culinary offering has been recognised in Waitrose Good Food Guide, Michelin and the Good Hotel Guide. Served the warren of beamed, cosy rooms downstairs, lunch might start with a risotto, rabbit leg and lovage fritter or homemade Penny loaves with piccalilli. Non meat-eaters are well looked after too, with the likes of broad bean risotto or luxury fish pie.

Sunday lunches bring in the crowds for traditional roasts and children get their very own mini-menu. If you skipped breakfast, or maybe burned a few calories on the hills, return for one of their mighty fine afternoon teas to tide you over until dinner.

Things to do

There are plenty of good walks on Shibden Mill's doorstep but for something a bit more adventurous, there's the Calderdale Way, a 50-mile circular long-distance trail that can be joined at any stage and completed in day-long chunks. Close to the route are National Trust-owned Hardcastle Crags, where you'll find picturesque walks, broad-leaved woodland and rocky outcrops.

It's not just Pennine hills and miles of open moorland that are great to explore in Calderdale. Hire a narrowboat from Bronte Boat Hire, for a day at Hebden Bridge and get to see the rugged beauty of this region from the unique perspective of Britain's wonderful inland waterway network.

Those searching for a little retail therapy should head over to The Piece Hall in Halifax. An open shopping venue in the heart of Halifax, restored and transformed into a thriving town square and heritage destination in 2018. Originally built as a sales centre for weavers, The Piece Hall is home to specialist shops, an art gallery and a tourist information centre. Its unique heritage and distinctive architecture make this much more than just a shopping experience.

Literary enthusiasts - don't miss the famous Bronte Parsonage at Haworth, the former home of the Bronte sisters which opened as a museum in 1928. This is where Bronte fans get a feel for the daily lives of these extraordinary sisters and how they applied themselves as writers. If you feel like a walk while you're there, trek across the Pennines to Top Withins, thought to be the inspiration for Wuthering Heights.