Swaledale & Arkengarthdale

The most northerly of the dales, Swaledale and Arkengarthdale have perhaps the wildest, most unspoilt scenery in the National Park. Many of the villages and sites - such as Gunnerside (from ‘Gunnar’s saetr’) - still carry the names given to them by Viking farmers who settled here over a thousand years ago.

The heart of Swaledale is the River Swale, one of the fastest rising flood rivers in England with a fearsome reputation for washing away bridges and unwary travellers in the past. Today it flows through traditional haymeadows bright with wild flowers in the spring and dotted with carefully preserved stone field barns.

The peaceful heathercovered hills above were once home to a thriving lead-mining industry. When the industry collapsed in the late nineteenth century, up to half the population of the dale left, some to the textile mills and coal mines of Lancashire, others to new lives in America.

Still famous for its breed of hardy sheep and associated knitting industry as well as locally-made cheeses, a visit is also an opportunity to see the local farming, craftspeople and business community keeping this very much a working dale.

The bustling village of Reeth, with its art and craft shops, pubs and cafés, is a focal point, but there are other lovely villages further up the dale such as Muker - which has its annual agricultural show in September - Gunnerside and Keld, all offering easy access to unspoilt landscapes, and providing walkers and cyclists with the perfect holiday escape. At the western end of Swaledale, Tan Hill boasts the highest pub in England.

Leading from Reeth is Arkengarthdale the most northerly dale in the National Park. There are more lead-mining remains to explore here along with wonderfully named hamlets such as Booze and Whaw.