Swaledale Holiday Guide & News
Dales Holiday Guide & News
Brought to you by...
4* The Cottage Fremington Reeth Swaledale
Yorkshire Dales National Park
A Characterful Semi Detached Dales Cottage - Swaledale Self-Catering Holiday Cottage Home
in the Heart of Swaledale Yorkshire Dales National Park
Swaledale
Swaledale is one of the most dramatic and least spoilt dales in the 682 square miles of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. At all times of the year the striking valley following the route of the sparkling River Swale never fails to inspire visitors. A great holiday location especially for those who love walking, mountain biking, touring by car and for those who want a real holiday retreat where they can relax and enjoy the wonderful views.
Swaledale runs from highpoints in the west at Blea Barf and Rogan's Seat down to Richmond in the east. Villages along the course of the river Swale include Reeth, Fremington, Low Row, Grinton, Gunnerside, Thwaite, Keld and Muker. It is not far from the Pennine Way, and the nearest market towns are Hawes (only 7 miles away to the south) Richmond and Leyburn lay to the east.
This is an area rich in history, folklore and legend, with with names of villages and fells that evoke the earliest Viking settlements. There are remnants of the lead mining begun by the Romans, and also ancient churches, packhorse bridges, attractive villages and old-fashioned country pubs - features that add depth and character to valleys whose contours have been etched by generations.
Swaledale is also famous for its cheese. According to some accounts, Swaledale Cheese was first made in local abbeys in the 11th Century, by Cistercian monks from Normandy. Originally goats' milk or sheep's milk was used to make the cheese, and it wasn't until the 17th century that the makers turned to cows' milk. Local farmers still have the skills of the traditional cheese makers and the recipes have been handed down across the generations.
Reeth
Reeth - the "capital of Swaledale" - is a beautiful village with inns, cafes, shops, craft workshops, newsagents and hotels, attractive 18th century houses, all clustered around a triangular village green. Reeth is a good starting point for walks, and offers a good place for a rest and a cup of tea or a pint in the evening. There is also a weekly market every Friday on the village green.
For more information about Reeth, Click Here.
Swaledale Festival
An annual celebration of music and the arts in late spring in intimate Dales venues. A rich mix of music to suit varied tastes. See the official Swaledale Festival website for dates and details.
Swaledale Museum
Close to the village green the 2-storey Swaledale Museum in an early 19th century building has over 1000 exhibits. Lively displays and hands-on exhibits explain the development of the area from its geological foundations, via early human occupation in the Iron Age, to the growth and decline of lead mining. You can learn how the stone walls were built, how local crafts flourished, and how people lived. The Museum also has a cafe and shop, and is open every weekday from 10.30am to 5.30pm, from Easter to the end of October.
For further information see the Swaledale Museum website.
Walking in Swaledale
Swaledale is a location for some of the walks made popular by the famous Alfred Wainwright.
There are fine walks to be found all over the area, varying in length from gentle strolls along the Swale paths, to day long routes, taking the energetic to the summits of Great Shunner Fell, Lovely seat and Addlebrough.
For your first walk in the area why not follow the nice circular route that takes in Reeth, Grinton and Fremington? For details see the Dalesman website.
Thwaite in Swaledale
Just a little way up the dale from Low Row lies the village of Thwaite. Here you will find some of the finest traditional hay meadows in the Dales - indeed, in all England. The meadows are protected and if you visit in spring or summer you will see a riot of colour and wild flowers, as well as many different varieties of grass.
Hazel Brow Organic Farm and Visitor Centre
Hazel Brow Organic Farm and Visitor Centre in Low Row is open from around the end of March to the end of September each year (closed Mondays and Fridays except Bank Holidays). Their completely organic café offers home-made cakes and scones, as well as a good selection of hot and cold food and drinks. They also have supervised animal handling sessions (very popular with children), craft activities, walks, seasonal demonstrations and more.
Arkle Moor Riding School
Just two miles outside Reeth, Arklemoor Riding Centre has a variety of horses and ponies to suit all levels of ability. Treks are from one hour to all day over the beautiful moorlands of Arkengarthdale and Swaledale. Riding holidays are also available. Open all year.
Bolton Abbey
On the banks of the River Wharfe and close to the town of Skipton is Bolton Abbey. Explore the towering ruins of the Priory and discover a landscape full of history and legend; wander along the woodland and riverside paths or cross the exposed heights of heather moorland; and enjoy local produce in the excellent restaurants, tea rooms and cafes. Some wonderful spots for picnics.
Till Hill Inn
At 1732 ft the famous Tan Hill Inn is the highest pub in Great Britain! Enjoy a pint of draught ale eye-level with the peaks of the Dales.
Useful Swaledale Yorkshire Dales National Park Links
Things to do in Swaledale & Arkengarthdale
You probably already know about the marvellous walks, the unique built heritage of our barns and walls, and our internationally famous Hay Meadows: - not to mention England's fastest flowing river, some of the best kept grouse moors in the UK and of course the great food in our pubs and cafés, but do you know what else is happening in our two dales?
| Arkle Moor Riding School - Pony Trekking in Spectacular scenery | |
| Where: | 2 miles North of Reeth |
| Open: | All year - booking essential |
| Contact: | 01748 884731 www.arklemoor.com |
| Clare Ackroyd - Canine Psychologist, dog training and crèche facilities | |
| Where: | Muker |
| Open: | All year |
| Contact: | 01748 886295 www.healthidog.com |
| Cummings Furniture - Award winning contemporary hand made furniture | |
| Where: | 7 Dales Centre, Silver St., Reeth |
| Open: | Generally Mon - Fri and Sat am |
| Contact: | 01748 884660 www.petercummings.co.uk |
| Dales Mountain Biking - mountain biking activities, bike hire, servicing & repairs | |
| Where: | Fremington village |
| Open: | 7 days a week |
| Contact: | 01748 884356 www.dalesmountainbiking.co.uk |
| Fat Sheep - A Gift & Craft Shop, Everything We Sell Is Made In The Yorkshire Dales Also Home to Glendale Ginger Drink & The Swaledale Chocolate Company | |
| Where: | On the Green in Reeth |
| Open: | All Year |
| Contact: | David & Judy 01748 880189 www.fatsheep.co.uk |
| Garden House Pottery - Local Pottery, Textiles and Damson Cheese | |
| Where: | Anvil Square, Reeth |
| Open: | Every day 10.00am - 5.30pm (closed Weds & Thurs) |
| Contact: | 01748 884188 Email: gardenhouse[at]tiscali.co.uk |
| Ginger Tree - Holistic Health & Beauty | |
| Where: | Home treatments by arrangement |
| Open: | Please phone or email to book |
| Contact: | 01969 667828 www.gingertreebeauty.co.uk |
| Hazel Brow Farm - find out about our farmed landscape, meet the livestock, and see our range of farming memorabilia | |
| Where: | Low Row Village |
| Open: | Tues, Thurs, Sun & Bank holidays April - September 5th |
| Contact: | Ruth or Catherine 01748 886224 / 886059 www.hazelbrow.co.uk |
| Old Working Smithy Museum - Fascinating account of a local smithy business from 1798 | |
| Where: | Gunnerside Village |
| Open: | By arrangement |
| Contact: | 01748 886577 |
| Shades of Heather - One of Britain's most experienced rug makers and teachers of rug making | |
| Where: | Reeth village, opposite Reeth Garage |
| Open: | On workshop days or by arrangement |
| Contact: | www.rugmaker.co.uk |
| Swaledale Museum | |
| Where: | On the Green, at Reeth, just down from the Post Office Shop |
| Open: | Easter to the end of October 10.30 am-5.30pm every day except Saturdays |
| Contact: | Helen Bainbridge 01748 884118 www.swaledalemuseum.org |
| Swaledale Outdoors - Quality and performance clothing and Equipment | |
| Where: | Bagshaws Yard, Anvil Square, Reeth |
| Open: | Every day except Wednesdays |
| Contact: | 01748 880298 www.swaledaleoutdoors.co.uk |
| Swaledale Quilts - demonstrations and commissions for quilted items, traditional, modern or fun | |
| Where: | Demonstrations at various locations in the area |
| Open: | By arrangement |
| Contact: | 01748 884474 |
| Teamwalking - map reading and navigation courses for beginners plus corporate and team training days | |
| Where: | Courses are run from interesting local pubs in all the Dales |
| Open: | March until November |
| Contact: | Richard Tarran (Healaugh village nr. Reeth) 07866 410616 www.teamwalking.co.uk |
| Museum Knitting Group | |
| Where: | Swaledale Museum |
| Open: | Monthly Monday's |
| Contact: | Swaledale Museum (see details above) |
| Swaledale & Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group - research, surveying, mapping and drawing, excavation, finds analysis, botany, geology or just walking | |
| Where: | Sites throughout the two dales |
| Contact: | www.swaag.org |
The above are just a selection of things going on in our 2 dales, why not come and visit and find out more. Call in at the National Park's tourist information centre (01748 884059) for more info. We also have a Post Office offering full Post Office banking services, books, maps and an extensive range of groceries and a garage offering a whole range of garage services, including petrol and diesel to the local and wider community.
Special Offer
See reviews of The Cottage Fremington Reeth Swaledale on Tripadvisor
Join the conversation on Twitter
|
