The quality of a breakfast is often the hallmark of a good B&B or inn, and the fare on offer at the White Horse Farm Inn at Rosedale Abbey in its picturesque North Yorkshire Moors setting certainly lived up to expectations.

A proper snorker, thick slices of real bacon that actually has flavour, eggs how you want it, and toasted fresh bread. There are, of course, less cholesterol-intensive options available, but with the prospect of walking it off in some of the most beautiful countryside in the county, why would you?

It was just the start needed after a night spent sampling the selection of ales, including Black Sheep bitter on the night we stayed, and excellent red on offer at the inn, which was named as Yorkshire’s Favourite Pub in the 2012 Welcome to Yorkshire Awards.

It’s easy to see why this pub with rooms is so lauded. For a start, there is the location.

Set on a hill reported to be the steepest road climb in Europe, the White Horse – an inn since the 18th century – offers a panoramic view down into Rosedale village.

Then there is the unusual business model. After seeing landlords come and go, a consortium of locals decided they would take it on as a going concern, run by villagers for villagers – but at the same time offering a very welcoming stopping off point to visitors.

And then there is the food, which is very, very good.

We didn’t sample the main menu. Mine host Christine Cullen asked if we would be interested in partaking in the game night, ten courses of dishes including duck and orange sausages, game broth and pan-fried grouse? Obviously, I allowed her to twist my arm.

Chef Geoff ‘the chef’ Oldroyd had been given his head for the night, and his passion for the food, along with the quality of the produce, all sourced locally, shone through in the flavour of every course.

More normal menu fare includes pub favourites such as steak pie and pork belly, alongside game dishes like Cropton pheasant and Fry-up rabbit (pun intended – there is a village nearby called Fryup).

To set yourself up for dinner, there is some spectacular walking nearby. A short climb up to the old Rosedale Iron Works opens up wonderful vistas of the North York Moors.

Nearby, there is the village of Hutton-le-Hole, where the Ryedale Folk Museum resides, and short (and spectacular) car journeys away are Helmsley and Whitby.

But for us, an afternoon walk, an evening of convivial drinking and dining in a proper pub with restaurant-quality food, a fine fry-up and another trek up the bank to try and work off all those calories, was the perfect way to sample the raw and rugged natural charms of this area.

  • Find out more about this and other Yorkshire trips at yorkshire.com.