Visit to Reeth on our Yorkshire Holiday

We've never stayed in the North Yorkshire Dales before, so we had new and exciting places to explore from our little 'nest' in Gunnerside in Swaledale.

From the windows both front and back we had views of the valley, and immediately behind the cottage there were rabbits, pheasants and red grouse foraging on the hillside.

Our first walk took us on a circular route with not too much climbing following the river to Ivelet and back along a higher route.  Along the way the barns which usually straddle two fields were each different.

Used for storing hay, and giving shelter to the animals in the winter, they are built from the local limestone.  The stiles are very narrow gaps in the walls with a well sprung fence too, only size O can take most but squeezing sideways with a careful placing of feet got us through them all.

The pub in the village is not open at present, and with the village tea shop not doing a roast as advertised, we decided to drive into Reeth for our Sunday Lunch.  We had a very good lunch at The Buck Hotel.

It was a bright and sunny day, and cars were parked nearly all over the central green. Everything was open, people were friendly, tourists were in good cheer, and they have a very healthy and welcoming attitude to dogs.  We no longer have a dog, but love to watch them.

We walked around and bought some excellent things for a tea later in the day from the bakery.  Tucked amongst the buildings is the Swaledale Museum, housed in a redundant Methodist School Room.

We're so please we found this early on our holiday as we learnt so much  and were able all the more able to enjoy the area.  Even the outside with its espalier fruit trees, and tidy vegetable garden was enticing enough..

The lead mining industry was very well covered.  We learnt so much about the mining, for which the little valley of Gunnerside was one of the most valuable areas, and the lives of local people.  With ingots just the right size for a donkey to carry down into the valley, explanations of how the miners were often engaged in farming and knitting as well, domestic articles and much more, there was much to interest us.

Another place which drew me and in which I spent quite a lot of time was The Garden House Pottery.  Somehow just from the style of the nameplate I felt that this was going to be an exciting place to look around.

The shop is tucked away in a corner

and inside there are not only pots and sculptures, but also other local handycrafts.

I looked at these lovely clay pots, and square planter and do not know how and why I did not get them, they could have been perfect for some of my succulents.  Maybe one day I shall visit again.

My eye was drawn also to the elegant Sloe Cheese preserve in one of the Davies's own pots.  I look forward to enjoying the cheese and then using the pot for for own cheeses in years to come.

I got chatting to Jane Davies, and she told me about the old Sloe orchard at the back of their premises.

I too love making preserves and as at that time we were the only ones in the shop we started up a jolly exchange of favourite things...Yes Jane, I shall look out my recipe for Pear and Walnut Chutney for you so that you can use the Walnuts from your tree!

My pot was beautifully packaged, love the calligraphy too!