Around the UK in 80 Venues: Tan Hill Inn

Location: Tan Hill Inn, Tan Hill, Overlooking Teesdale, Reeth, Richmond, Swaledale, the North Yorkshire Dales, DL11 6ED.

Website: http://www.tanhillinn.com

Capacity: 300

Come to see: It's almost becoming synonymous with British Sea Power. Three quarters of the eccentric indie band, now based in Brighton, are from nearby Cumbria, and the group are about to play Tan Hill Inn for the third time. Having launched an EP here in 2007, the lads hosted a three day festival, 'Sing Ye From the Hillsides' -- complete with Tug of War and doughnut eating competitions in 2008 -- and now will return in May to launch their fourth album. The Levellers have also just confirmed a show for this spring too. New manager, band booker and singer-songwriter too, Ian Anderson tells Spinner that they have big plans for live music in 2010. He says: "I know loads of musicians who all want to play here. To start off with it will be really good pub bands, rock, blues, punk. A bit of jazz and Irish. Then we'll keep stepping it up. The idea is to start with phenomenally good local bands, from the North, then get bigger artists to play too."

The atmosphere: Cozy. Think proper fireplaces, wooden beams, board games and hearty meals. Ales brewed locally by the Dent Brewery. Bands have been playing in the converted barn at the back of the inn since 2007. Revelers at the New Year's Eve party in 2009 made the national news after becoming snowed in overnight -- finally managing to leave the hilltop location three days later. The current inn dates back to the 17th century, and was the main point, nay only point, of refuge for local coal miners. Tan Hill owner Tracy Bailey tells Spinner that the weather has been making its mark, saying: "My son in London phoned me to say there had been six inches of snow -- I said 'try dealing with six foot of the stuff!" Just last week locals were again "locked in," this time for a record five days.

You saw them here first: Due to its incredibly remote location on the starkly beautiful Pennine Way -- mostly frequented by ramblers, hikers and hardcore locals -- there's not an NME gig guide in the making up on this North Yorkshire moor. However in the last two years, aside from British Sea Power's many appearances, other 'names' who have played in the barn include New Order's Peter Hook and the Inspiral Carpets.

Claim to fame: The Arctic Monkeys played here. Well, Alex Turner turned up once, but this is, 18 months later, still one of the most cherished "historical events." As the Tan Hill Inn 'Live Music' page exclaims, "and who can forget the 5 miles of roadside tents when we were visited by the Arctic Monkeys!!!!!" When asked to confirm the capacity of the barn, manager Anderson himself doesn't falter in saying, "When the Arctic Monkeys played, we had at least 1300 people here." What really happened was that Turner, Klaxons Jamie Reynolds and James Righton and one of the Rascals all rocked up to the 'Sing Ye From The Hillsides' event -- as part of James 'Simian Mobile Disco' Ford's stag weekend celebrations.

You should also know: Current owners Tracy Bailey and Mike Peace have put the world-famous pub up for sale. Offers in excess of £1m. Email info@livemusicattanhill.co.uk if you want in on the unique venue. Bailey warns, "It's a mind-warping place, you need a strong constitution."

Coming soon: British Sea Power, the Levellers, Swale Singers.