Reeth countrysideThis small but prominent town is well known as the capital of Swaledale and is nestled on the northern edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Tucked between Calver Hill, Fremington Edge and Harkside, the delightful town of Reeth is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with a tapestry of beautiful unspoilt rugged landscapes, rolling hills, dry stone walls and remote moorland meadows.
The town itself boasts a warm, friendly community with a good range of shops, ice-cream parlours, good old-fashioned tearooms, cosy cafes, restaurants, galleries and workshops selling specialist arts and crafts.
Reeth has a vast and varied history from its Saxon heritage. As a producer of English lead, Reeth was a large contributor to the lead mining industry, producing almost 10% of the countries lead stocks.
Swaledale You can learn more about the history of Reeth in the local Swaledale Museum. With extensive exhibits, interactive displays and even an ancestry archive so you can trace your roots back to the area.
Staying active while in Reeth is not a problem, with lots of challenging hill walks surrounding the town you are sure to find somewhere new to explore. For wildlife spotters the hills are swarming with animals and birds waiting to be seen, from lapwing, oystercatcher, curlew and even the rare black grouse. Animals and birds aren’t all to be seen with beautiful picturesque landscapes to be captured in the areas between the hills.
After a lengthy walk you’ll need to refuel with some pub grub, stop in to the Buck Hotel to enjoy a varied menu from risotto to homemade steak and ale pie. The bar is dog-friendly too so you can make sure no one has to wait out in the cold. For dessert be sure to check out the Cuckoo Hill View Ice Cream Parlour for a delicious ice cream, try one of their 16 flavours on offer, or challenge yourself to try all by the end of your stay!
“A traditional Yorkshire town, with a prominent lead mining history to discover”
If visiting Reeth in August, make sure you don’t miss the Reeth Show, a traditional agriculture show with stalls, displays and a fantastic sheep show to delight. You’ll also get to hear the Reeth Brass Band play, which has been a staple of the community for over 100 years. Or if in the area in June, visit nearby Swaledale for the Swaledale Festival with live music, poetry workshops and even a guided walk around the area.