The Golden Lion Hotel is steeped in tradition and local folklore having been the premier hotel of the ancient and historic North Yorkshire county town of Northallerton for three centuries.

The present early Georgian building has graced the market place since it was reconstructed in the 1730's, medieval stone, an old well and Tudor brickwork found in the subsequent alterations evidence a much older inn on the site.

Situated on the broad attractive high street on the Great North Road almost equidistant between London and Edinburgh, it was one of the Norths major coaching and posting inns during the exciting and colourful Stage Coach era. Stabling existed for seventy five horses and famous coaches arrived daily with bustle and thrill including the "Queen Charlotte", "Wellington" and "Royal Mail".

Amongst the countless succession of guests who enjoyed its hospitality and compelling North Yorkshire atmosphere were the future Czar of Russia Grand Duke Nicholas and his considerable entourage in 1816, Queen Victoria's third son, the Duke of Connaught (1876) and Andrew Carnegie the Scottish born American made philanthropist (1888).

Throughout the ages the hotel has been a business and social hub of busy Northallerton hosting bargaining farmers and dealers on hectic market and fair days, great horse and property sales, balls, dances, meetings, concerts, receptions and dinners. For the gentry and officials of the North Riding quarter sessions a renowned "Judges Cellar" flourished with fine wines until the 1960's.

During the Second World War it was a haunt of duty aircrew between perilous bombing missions from Leeming and other nearby stations and it featured centrally in the epic cult war film "The Way to the Stars" produced in 1944 and starring Michael Redgrave, John Mills, and Rosamund John.

In the 1920's The Golden Lion was absorbed by Trust House and remained with the large national consortium until it returned to the local Northallerton ownership of George and Greta Crow in 1998 whose large scale refurbishments have already signalled their determination to present the quality the ancient Golden Lion warrants.