From first day fun to cabin fever as staff finally leave ‘snowed in’ Tan Hill Inn

Staff at Britain’s highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn in Richmond, North Yorkshire, were finally able to leave after being “snowed-in” for days. The inn, which sits 1,732 feet above sea level, became the nation’s most elusive retreat due to inclement weather trapping 23 visitors and six staff members.

The pub had previously announced on Sunday that “residents only” could be served following weather warnings. A Facebook update on January 6 revealed: “Hello from a wintry Tan Hill Inn where our 23 snowed-in visitors and six staff are tucking into a full English and wondering how long their enforced stay will last here at Britain’s highest pub.”

Relief came three days later when Elle Applegarth, a 25 year old bar staff member from Washington, Sunderland, arrived to start her shift. Ms Applegarth narrowly missed the lock-in and shared with PA news agency: “I think a lot of them had cabin fever,” adding, “It’s all fun at first but then the reality kicks in, you have to keep on going.”

She noted the continuous work required by the staff during such events and recounted her arrival at about 12.30pm on Thursday, saying, “I got here about 12.30pm (on Thursday) – everyone was just ready to leave. (Someone) started crying, and I was like ‘has it been that bad? ’ and she went ‘no, I’m just tired now! ‘” Ms Applegarth also added: “I had to leave early so I managed to miss getting locked in.”

(Image: Copyright remains with handout provider)

Get all the latest and breaking North Yorkshire news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.

“The roads have been so bad. There are places where you can see it’s near enough four foot. The snow is just so high.”

The inn’s Facebook page has been actively updating followers on the situation, garnering thousands of interactions with posts about snowmen constructions and detailing the hardships faced by residents and staff. One update humorously recounted an Aldi delivery resolving a “red wine and banger shortage”.

A number of guests managed to leave by Tuesday, according to the pub’s social updates, but it wasn’t until Thursday that the team could leave, as a post alongside a video of a tractor clearing away snow said: “It looks like the cavalry have arrived! The last stretch of snow drifts are being cleared in the dark this morning – in freezing temperatures by our ‘Highways heroes’.”

Ms Applegarth provided a video showing her arriving for her shift while others departed, declaring, “The atmosphere, everyone (was) dead upset and ready to go! ” She further noted the unusual quietness, “Normally when I come in the pub it’s busy and full of people, whereas now it’s not.”

The cleanliness of the venue impressed her, “We’ve walked in and the pub is spotless. The housekeeping’s all been done! ” She revealed how they wound down, “We’ve just quickly had a wipe over things, and so me and two other girls have been sitting by the fire having hot chocolate and marshmallows! ” A final post from the team read: “Well, we’re off for a cuddle from our loved ones and a relaxing break. The new staff are in (we’ve left them some Malbec and a sausage) – and we are still closed! “.

“We’d like to thank you all for your support during our snow-in, it touched our hearts. And thanks in advance for your future support to Tan Hill Inn.”

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/first-day-fun-cabin-fever-30751023

Leave a Comment