There’s a wide variety of shops, tea-rooms and galleries and
spectacular riverside walks down to the waterfall, known locally as
'the fosse', and to Easby Abbey. The famous children's author Lewis
Carroll, who wrote the classic, Alice in Wonderland, went to school
at Swale House which now houses Richmondshire District
Council.
The Tourist Information Centre lies in the shadow of Greyfriars
Tower, one of three remaining Franciscan bell towers in the
country.
Must see and do:
Richmond Castle, Richmond
Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
Richmondshire Museum, Richmond
Green Howards Museum, Richmond
Hazel Brow Farm & Visitor Centre, Low Row
Swaledale Woollens, Muker
Kiplin Hall, Kiplin
Forbidden Corner, Middleham
Swaledale Folk Museum, Reeth
Easby Abbey, Richmond
Reeth
Reeth, situated on the lower slopes of Calver Hill, above the
confluence of Arkle Beck with the Swale, was once the centre of an
important lead mining industry and is still an area of hill
farming. Set around a large village green, it has a variety of
craft shops and workshops, the Swaledale Folk Museum. The Coast To
Coast walk, made famous by Alfred Wainwright, goes through Reeth
and many other walkers use the village as a base to explore the
different aspects of Swaledale.
Must see and do:
Swaledale Folk Museum, Reeth
Stef's Models, Reeth
Hazel Smith Gallery
Hazel Brow Farm Visitor Centre (nearby at Low Row)
Swaledale Woollens (nearby at Muker)
Reeth Dales Centre Studios
Leyburn
At the heart of Wensleydale, the town has an independent cinema,
an unusual tea pottery, craft workshops, galleries and a superb
fine arts and antiques auction house. The busy Friday markets are
the week's high point.
Must see and do:
Tennants Auctioneers, Leyburn
The Teapottery, Leyburn
The Little Chocolate shop, Leyburn
Constable Burton Hall Gardens, Leyburn
Wensleydale railway, Leyburn
Cat Pottery, Leyburn
Middleham castle, Middleham
Forbidden Corner, Coverham
Bolton Castle, Castle Bolton
Jervaulx Abbey, Jervaulx
Hawes
Hawes, regarded as the capital of Upper Wensleydale, is said to be one of the highest market towns in England. Known affectionately by locals as T'Haas, this vibrant market town derives its name from the old Norse word 'hals', meaning a mountain pass or neck. A great deal of history is reflected in the unique character of present day Hawes.
The award-winning Dales Countryside Museum and the Wensleydale
Creamery Visitor Centre give an insight into life in the Dales.
Other attractions include the Hawes Ropemaker, where visitors can
watch both the mechanical and handmade aspects of rope making. A
popular weekly market is held in the town every Tuesday, which
attracts both locals and visitors, and there is a good a range of
shops, craft workshops and tea -rooms.
Must see and do:
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes
Wensleydale Creamery, Hawes
The Hawes Ropemaker, Hawes
Focus on Felt, Hardraw
Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Railway Line, Garsdale
Wensleydale Pottery, Hawes
The Cat Pottery, West Burton
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Last updated:
23 May 2008
