MY PUB: The Green Dragon Inn, Hardraw, North Yorkshire

He already owns another Yorkshire landmark, the Tan Hill Inn, Britain’s highest pub, and sees the acquisition of the Dragon as a perfect ‘sister business’.

Here, Hields tells The Morning Advertiser about the roar of the Green Dragon.

The pub

The Green Dragon is one of the gems of the Yorkshire Dales. My team and I are so proud to be taking her forward in this new and exciting phase of her story. Parts of the Green Dragon date from the 13th century and it epitomises the traditional north country pub.

We have real fires, beams and stone-flag floors. As a result, it has been used as a film set and is quite a tourist attraction. But it is also loved by the locals, which means it is quite common to see American and European tourists rubbing shoulders at the bar with Yorkshire farmers – and their sheep dogs.

The pub went through a period of uncertain trading when, in August 2022, the tenants withdrew from the business, citing financial difficulties brought on by fuel costs. Until the phased purchase agreement is complete, the Green Dragon is owned by Hardraw businessman Mark Thompson. It was reopened by Mr Thompson for wet sales only in May 2023. He signed the phased purchase agreement with myself in March 2024.

The Green Dragon and Tan Hill Inn are linked by England’s first national trail the Pennine Way. With an eye on an opportunity, I have launched the Dragon’s Ascent Challenge, a 15-mile cross-country route between the venues, offering walkers and fell runners hospitality at each end of their journey.

The publican

I’m 40 and was born in Bradford so I’m a Yorkshireman through and through. I was brought up in a council house by my single-parent mum who earned her living as a clothing machinist and a cleaner.

I started earning money at the age of 12 on a paper round, which I did seven days a week until I was 18. From the age of 15, my main job was in a Morrisons supermarket cafe, gaining valuable kitchen experience and bought my first car at 19.

This was the start of my ‘university of the business world’, during which I learned some graphic design, moved into selling phone contracts and managed social housing for a charity as a project manager.

At 23, I borrowed money and within six months had bought and was refurbishing seven properties, giving me an eye for aesthetics – and profit. This background means I can see the potential in a business.

I’m not afraid of getting my hands dirty – a day ‘on the tools’ can be as valuable to me as a day at the office and is my way of leading.

In June 2018, I took the step into hospitality and bought the Tan Hill Inn with a business partner, whom I have since bought out.

I spent the first 18 months learning about pubs and have not looked back. The Tan Hill brand has grown and I saw the same opportunities at the Green Dragon when it came on the market.

The trade

The pub is popular with visitors to the Dales and appeared as the interior of The Drovers Arms in the Channel 5 remake of All Creatures Great & Small.

There is a waterfall behind the pub called Hardraw Force. It is the highest single-drop waterfall in England so it is quite spectacular. It was used as a location in Kevin Costner’s 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

This results in a lot of visitors, so the Green Dragon leans heavily into meals and accommodation. To make this work the pub, with myself as operator, underwent a £250k revamp to upgrade the kitchen and accommodation. This is getting results following an active social media marketing campaign, including graphics branding and the footfall is rising.

The atmospheric public rooms of the Green Dragon remained open for wet sales and a limited menu during the refurbishments, which have produced 11 en-suite rooms, including family suites and apartments, with a further 14 rooms to be online by the time this feature is published.

The team

Recruiting staff in such a remote area is difficult and this is made harder by the amount of hospitality and tourism businesses vying as employers.

Luckily, I can draw on expertise from an established team at Tan Hill and they are invaluable.

The drink

Because the Green Dragon has a traditional feel, it draws a lot of customers who want a real ale with their pub experience.

I stock Yorkshire stalwarts such as Theakstons but also encourage newer breweries such as the Wensleydale Brewery.

The bar refurbishment increased the number of lager and cider taps that helps with the flow of customers.

The food

The inn provides a full menu, offering homemade pub classics so it makes the most of the country theme of pies as well as going big on steaks and, of course, Yorkshire puddings. It’s a busy kitchen, aiming when it can for meat sourced from local providers.

The nature of the Dales and its scenery means it often get visitors, especially walkers, dropping in outside of standard meal times because the weather or a strenuous route has delayed them. So, to avoid disappointment, the Green Dragon tries to keep the kitchen open as much as possible. Thus, it serves food 11.30am to 4.30pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Monday to Thursday. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday it’s open right through from 11.30am to 9pm.

The events

The function room has been revamped and named Hardraw Hall. This increases the dining capacity and hosts music and the occasional comedian. The service offers meals in the hall prior to events so that customers can make something of the whole evening.

There is a parish church next door (there is a legend of a priest’s escape tunnel linking the pub to the church) so weddings and christenings are being offered. The Dales farming community is close knit and family celebrations are big affairs and the pub would like to be part of that.

The future

Some of the legacy accommodation included a bunk room for outdoor types such as Pennine Way walkers. It has become less frequented as a result of changes in customer expectations so the space has been converted to become 14 new rooms.

They will be on-stream by the time of publication, which will be the next challenge for housekeeping as well as the kitchen and bar staff who will have to deal with a higher demand for breakfasts.

The Dragon’s Ascent Challenge, the 15-mile route of the Pennine Way, linking the Green Dragon to the Tan Hill Inn, is the big project for 2025. It had an inaugural run in September last year when the team that administers the Montane Spine Race tried it out.

That team will provide the admin and safety back-up for two race days, spring and summer (it has a dedicated website dragonsascent.co.uk). Apart from those race days, I want to encourage anyone to tackle the challenge. They will be encouraged to book accommodation, meals, buy T-shirts, victory scrolls and so on.

If it takes off – when it takes off – the Dragon’s Ascent Challenge will rival the Yorkshire Three Peaks as the must-do charity event in the county.