Flanked by a brace of churches on Leyburn’s ancient Market Place, the Sandpiper is a beautifully restored 17th-century hostelry built of rough brown stone with plenty of dark wooden furniture and a spruced-up dining room done out in shades of green. Chef/proprietor Jonathan Harrison and family have been in residence here for some 15 years, and have established quite a foodie reputation during that time. Menus run with the seasons and flavours are international – from Gloucester Old Spot terrine with warm black pudding or Cheddar-crusted fish pie to caramelised pork belly with queenie scallops and textures of parsnip to seared Yorkshire venison with roast beets, home-cured chorizo and chestnut mushrooms. For afters, perhaps try the Sandpiper knickerbocker glory. Real ales and well-chosen wines please the drinkers, and there’s a handy little tapas menu too.