Wheldale Hotel

The room was small, but clean and nicely decorated, and the bed was really comfortable. People running the pub were friendly and attentive, breakfast had plenty of choice, and I’ve heard the other meals are very good too. The pub closed around 8pm while I was there. The bus stop is right outside, though buses only run hourly and stop at about 5:30pm. The outside steps to the rooms may be difficult if you have walking problems; I didn’t ask whether accessible rooms were available. The area is run down, with some redevelopment happening. The town’s appearance suffers from a lack of maintenance, and the council seems short of money. The business is opposite the Tigers stadium, so I imagine the fans bring in good trade. If you can look past the surroundings, it’s exceptional value for a short stopover. I’ll stay again when I’m in the area.

The state of the premises was shocking, inside and out, with dirt, poor maintenance, and an unwelcoming feel. I’d advise against staying here, even for free. I left in a hurry and didn’t have time to take photos. My booking on Booking.com was meant to be for March 12, 2025, but during the online process it changed unexpectedly to March 19, with checkout on March 20. When I reached the Wheldale, I was told the reservation had indeed been made for March 19 by mistake. Outside the pub, a visibly drunk person was aggressively smashing glasses. He then came inside, and someone who appeared to be the manager, still wearing her coat behind the bar, asked him to leave. An ongoing argument followed, leaving the place chaotic and unpleasant. I decided to go immediately and slept in my car. From the short time I spent in the pub, that seemed the better option. I’ve managed a pub hotel for over 35 years and have dealt with many complaints about Booking.com. Guests would arrive with confirmation emails, but we often couldn’t find their bookings in our system. It used to be possible to contact Booking.com about this; now it’s nearly impossible, with no phone number or customer service available, probably because of the volume of complaints. I once considered it a reliable booking site, but its service has deteriorated badly. Based on my experience, I strongly recommend avoiding it for travel. I called the hotel to ask for a refund, but the request was turned down because the booking was non-refundable. I understand the policy, but thought I’d try. In hindsight, the mix-up was a blessing in disguise. Even if I’d booked the right date, I doubt I’d have stayed.

The place looks can be misleading, in a good way. Donna, the owner, welcomed us warmly and explained everything, from using the TV to how dinner and breakfast worked. We ate at the pub and had one of the best meals ever, maybe the best. Great value, generous portions, and lovely quality.

We’ve stayed here quite a few times on visits from Canada, and D and Paul always give us such a warm West Yorkshire welcome. They’re friendly, accommodating, and excellent hosts. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated. Breakfast is included in the room price, and it’s always fresh with plenty to eat. I’d highly recommend this gem in castleford. Charlie and Dee.