The Bridge Inn is opposite St. Andrew's Church, the Cathedral of the Dale, and the ancient Blackburn Hall in the village of Grinton in scenic Swaledale. Together with Arkengarthdale, these are the most northerly of the dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The Bridge Inn was originally just the part which now has the porch and the bay window on either side. The south part that may be seen in the top photograph was a separate cottage.
The north part, now the restaurant, was a shop and there were petrol pumps outside. Old photographs show a large arched door where there is now a bay window. Maybe this was for a coach and horses?
At the time of World War II the restaurant was a separate house occupied by Mr & Mrs Holland. He was a shepherd & acting gamekeeper. There is a very interesting account of two boys, John & George Wilkie, who were evacuated to live there. It is parts 2 and 3 on this BBC site.
It is recommended in the current Good Pub and Good Beer guides. It is a Jennings pub, but also has a selection of guest beers kept in perfect condition by Mick, the bar manager.
The Yorkshire Post newspaper in October 2008 did a 'The View from the Bridge' review.
There are more reviews on the Bridge’s own web-site. For more information see the Bridge Inn web-site.
The Bridge Inn has a 'No mobile 'phones' policy.
If your 'phone rings or you make a call there is a 'donation' requested of 50p to be put into one of the charity collection boxes on the bar.
These collections have raised thousands of pounds.
