The Yorkshire Dales Directory

Holiday Accommodation & Visitor Guide

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Swaledale

Swaledale lies in the north of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and is arguably one of its finest. This steep sided dale begins high on the watershed between Cumbria and North Yorkshire, with the exception of a few farmsteads the first habitation is found at the village of Keld. The river swale flows through the popular villages of Thwaite, Muker, Gunnerside, Low Row, Healaugh, Reeth and Grinton before reaching the busy market town of Richmond.

Swaledale has many fine examples of field barns scattered throughout its superb meadows. These compete with the high fells that climb from the valley floor for your attention, while the villages with their cottages, shops and cafes clustered around picturesque greens offer much to interest the visitor.

Lead Mining in Swaledale

Once the site of a thriving mining industry Swaledale was one of the first industrial areas of England. But long before the extensive lead mines of the 18th and 19th centuries both the Brigantes and the Romans had mined lead in Swaledale.

More information on lead mining in the Yorkshire Dales can be found by visiting the Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum, Old Grammar School, School Lane, Earby, Barnoldswick, Lancs BB18 6QF

Swaledale Cheese

The Swaledale Cheese Company has an impressive choice, from the celebrated Swaledale Sheep and Cow's milk cheeses, to a smoked goat's cheese, a Blue Swaledale, an Old Peculier Swaledale - in which the pieces of moist curd are soaked in Theakston's Old Peculier Yorkshire Ale - and an Organic Swaledale.

Swaledale cheeses are unique. There is only one maker and has Protected Destination of Origin status, meaning it can only be made in the dale.

Swaledale Sheep

Swaledale has given its name to a hardy breed of domestic sheep particularly suited to hill farming and can be found on high moorland and hills of Yorkshire, County Durham, areas of Cumbria and throughout Great Britain.

Find more information on the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association website.

Woollens and Knitting

Swaledale and its close neighbour Dent were famous in the 18th century for hand knitted woollens, particularly stockings and gloves. Lead mining family's knitted as a way of supplementing the family income.

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