Tan Hill Inn's first wedding couple return after 30 years to celebrate anniversary
A couple who tied the knot at the highest pub in Britain 30 years ago have returned to mark their pearl anniversary.
A couple who tied the knot at the highest pub in Britain 30 years ago have returned to mark their pearl anniversary.
When Sarah Baulch and John Dalton said “I do” at Tan Hill Inn in Richmondshire, at the heart of the windswept Yorkshire Dales, on 6 August 1996 they had never visited it before and only seen its picture in a magazine.
Now, 30 years later, the couple, from Essex, have revisited the site of their nuptials – this time with their children, 29-year-old Max and 25-year-old Millie in tow.
Sarah, 59, a retired primary school teacher and 63-year-old John, a retired IT account manager first read about the 17th century Tan Hill – which sits at 1732 feet (528m) above sea level in North Yorkshire – in a farming magazine.
The Tan Hill Inn was the first pub in the country to obtain a licence to hold weddings, when laws changed in 1995.
“We’re keen walkers and once we realised it was on the Pennine Way we thought we could combine the walk with a wedding,” said Sarah.
But with only their walking clothes, rucksacks and tents, it was up to their families to bring the bridal essentials – and, in the pre-digital era, all communication with the venue was by letter or phone call.
About 60 friends and family made the journey north to the secluded pub with John’s parents bringing Sarah’s wedding dress and her sister bringing the flowers.
“We even brought a band up from Colchester and we just took over the whole pub,” said Sarah. “A registrar came from nearby Richmond and we danced and partied long into the night.”
For their 30th anniversary return visit, the plan was to walk the Pennine Way again – stopping overnight at Tan Hill Inn on the way.
But although temporary ill health put paid to the walking element of the trip, “we were determined to get back to Tan Hill,” Sarah said.
“The improvements really are wonderful,” said Sarah “but the best thing is they haven’t changed the pub itself and all the character and history are still there. It was lovely to come back.”
The Tan Hill Inn is a popular destination for hikers completing the Pennine Way but owner Andrew Hields said:
“To the best of my knowledge Sarah and John are the only couple who have stopped off en route to get married here.
“It just shows how versatile Tan Hill is – you can pop in for a pint and a pub lunch or listen to some live music and stay overnight.
“And, since John and Sarah tied the knot here, we’re welcoming more bridal couples than ever.”