Swaledale House

One of the northernmost Dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Swaledale is an utterly beautiful place for a retreat among the rolling hills, wildflower meadows and sweeping valleys. At its heart is the quaint village of Reeth, bursting with cafes, pubs and craft shops perfect for a mooch and some refreshments. Yorkshire breweries produce some of the world’s finest ale so be sure to try one or two in the local pubs.
Just a few minutes form the house is the Swale Trail mountain bike trail, stretching between Reeth and Keld and suitable for young cyclists and with bike hire available nearby! Indeed, the Yorkshire Dales are a rural paradise for walkers, cyclists or simply anyone who enjoys the fresh air, peaceful countryside and friendly locals. Wherever you head in this expansive National Park, you’re sure to meet a friendly face to point you in the right direction, recommend a village pub or let you in a few local secrets.

Like all of Yorkshire, the walking paths in the Dales criss-cross infinitely, leading you up gentle sloping hills and through winding valleys, alongside coursing rivers and meandering streams. The roads are equally winding, taking you through the luscious green landscape in the most scenic ways, passing through each quaint village and past countless barns and curious livestock.

North Yorkshire is one of the UK’s most beautiful counties, home to the two vast National Parks of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, and bursting with history and tradition. Across the two national parks you’ll find dramatic landscapes like that of Malham Cove, incredible scenery at every turn and always a warm welcome.

There are two cities in the county: York and Ripon, the latter of which is in fact the oldest city in England. Both are deeply historical, teeming with glorious architecture including their Minster and Cathedral respectively, and winding cobbled streets. Meanwhile, the endless villages that can be found in nearly every valley are undoubtedly worth visiting. Pop in for a pint and get to know the friendly locals at the village pub or try out the many quaint cafes.

Dotted across the breath-taking landscape of North Yorkshire are a series of striking examples of former abbeys, mostly now ruins. The most famous (and deservedly so) are Fountains Abbey near Ripon and Bolton Priory at the southern tip of the Dales, right at the entrance to the National Park. Complete with a rather lovely café and ice cream shop and set on the riverside amid thriving forests and rolling hills, this is worth a visit for its magnificent location alone!