“IT IS so beautiful here - we look down the Wharfe valley.”

Faye Batho appreciates the stunning vista she sees every day from her home at the inn she runs with her husband and son Charlie.

“It really is lovely - a magical place to live - I love seeing the way the sky changes, and there are some amazing sunsets.”

They took over The Chevin, in Menston - the T&A's Pub of the Week - three years ago. “Charlie has been a pub manager before and Richard ran a pub many years ago, but this is the first one we have owned as a family,” said former NHS manager Faye. “We were very excited to take it on - it is great to work together and to create something the way you want it to be.

“We wanted the inn to be a restorative place, with a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere and wholesome food cooked from scratch. We are a foodie pub but quite informal. On a Saturday night people come all dressed up but others come in wellies with their dogs, who are also very welcome.”

In its former life the stone-built pub was a row of cottages housing workers from a nearby quarry. It can accommodate around 80 customers outdoors - its large, attractive garden has far-reaching views - and 40 indoors. “It is quirky and characterful,” said Faye.

A traditional yet sophisticated menu includes Yorkshire pork sausages and mash, grilled salmon salad and the ‘Chevin burger’. Specials can feature dishes such as scallops with a sweet salad, venison, and lamb shanks. Between 12 and 5pm a variety of hot, cooked sandwiches are available.

“We serve a lot of traditional dishes cooked by our wonderful team, with head chef Steve Jennings. “Steve was here before we came and had built up a good reputation for his food,” said Faye.

Faye, Richard - a former communications manager with Sheffield Utd - and Charlie bring different skills to the business. “Richard is a great host, Charlie concentrates on the operational and staff management side, while I focus on finance and help on the food side,” said Faye.

The picturesque location helped keep the family’s spirits up during lockdown. “It is a lovely place to get stuck. We had the inn to ourselves and had a freezer full of food that the chefs had prepared,” said Faye. “It was a nice holiday for us, but obviously there was financial uncertainty as well.”

The family also got chance to do a spot of decorating. “We cleaned upholstery, re-sanded tables and replaced benches. We also stripped and sealed the floor.”

*The Chevin, West Chevin Road, Menston, near Otley LS29 6BE. Tel: 01943 876109 E: bookings@chevininn.co.uk