Swaledale

Swaledale, Yorkshire Dales

Swaledale

Where is it – England, Yorkshire and the Humber

Who looks after it –  National Park 

What is it –  Countryside, Free access, National Park, Walk 

When is it from – All or N/A, Viking

Swaledale is one of the Yorkshire Dales, home to the River Swale, one of the fastest rising flood rivers in England. The scenery is wild, but the imprint of man is evident with hay meadows, bright with wild flowers in the summer, drystone walls, stone field barns, many of them in ruins, and the remains of the lead mining industry. The area was settled by Norse-Danish farmers – Vikings – over a thousand years ago and the names they left are still with us. Swaledale is also famous for its own breed of sheep – the Swaledale Ram was chosen as the logo of the Yorkshire Dales National Park – and for its cheeses. Valley walking is relatively easy, but it’s Yorkshire – so sunshine is not guaranteed! The village of Reeth is an attractive little place and offers several shops; other villages along the dale, like Muker, Gunnerside and Keld, are just as attractive – but have less to them. A popular river walk runs between Muker and Keld – up one side of the Swale and back the other. An alternative walk also takes in part of a corpse road.

Note: address details are for Muker.

 

 


Address

Muker, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL11 6QG 

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