ARRIVING at a hotel for the first time in driving rain and darkness is never going to showcase it in its best light.

And when we pulled up outside the Punch Bowl Inn we were wondering if we'd done the right thing booking a weekend in the Yorkshire Dales in late November.

It was no fault of the hotel, which looked cosy enough from the outside, but after driving along miles of windy roads, lit only by the glow from our sat-nav, we really did have no idea where we'd ended up and were bracing ourselves for a very wet weekend.

But our spirits soon picked up when we walked through the doors and in to the bustling bar area. The welcome we received from the manager couldn't have been warmer and we were soon shown to our room, which was equally as inviting.

It was warm and cosy and the perfect base for a winter weekend.

Before long we were back downstairs in the bar, having a pre-dinner drink.

The Punch Bowl Inn, in Swaledale, is renowned for its top quality food and, with the nearest town 20 minutes drive away, we were more than happy to stay holed up there, rather than brave the wet weather. A large blackboard at the end of the bar showcased the menu and we were spoilt for choice.

I opted for duck, while my other half went for the pork belly. Both dishes were delicious and were washed down with a warming bottle of red wine.

The next day things got even better when we opened the curtains to be greeted with the most spectacular view from our room. Arriving in the dark the night before meant we had no idea what was awaiting us, but the rain had disappeared and been replaced with glorious sunshine, which showcased the dramatic craggy dales all around us. Determined to make the most of the sunshine we rummaged through the guidebooks and tourist magazines that had helpfully been left in our room and decided on a visit to Ingelton Falls – a series of waterfalls linked by a four-mile trail through woodlands.

The drive there was an experience in itself, taking in some spectacular scenery, as well as fanstastic sights like the Ribblehead viaduct.

The falls were spectacular and we enjoyed a relaxed amble around the trail in unseasonably warm sunshine.

It wasn't exactly taxing, but we decided to follow it up by treating ourselves to a visit to the famous Wensleydale Creamery – home of Wallace and Gromit's favourite cheese.

Returning to the hotel in the evening, we were again too tempted by its own menu to bother straying elsewhere, and enjoyed another delicious meal.

Unfortunately it was soon time for our weekend to come to an end, but not before polishing off an excellent breakfast on the Sunday morning.

If it sounds like all we did all weekend is eat food and drink wine, with a little stroll thrown in for good measure, then that's pretty accurate – but sometimes that's all you want from a weekend away – a chance to kick back and relax, while enjoying the beautiful British countryside.