Inspiration & ideas

Many people whizz down Whipperdale Bank (one of the best named roads in the Dales?) on their way to Reet, without stopping to admire the stunning Swaledale scenery or pausing in Grinton. Yet Grinton was once an important destination: at the end of the Corpse Way.

​Until 1580, St. Andrews Church, Grinton in Swaledale was one of only a few consecrated burial grounds so people had to carry their dead up to 16 miles. This route became known as the Corpse Way.

Bodies were carried in wicker coffins and …

When I say 'village green', does a children's fairy story picture-book image pop into your head? Perhaps you have a favourite village green somewhere, and a photo you can share? For many they represent a quintessential English scene. The houses and buildings around village greens may vary, but the feel is essentially the same.

There is usually a cluster of houses facing the green and behind them, their gardens or fields, wandering into the surrounding hills. Most have some kind of religious build…

What has a thatched barn got to do with a reservoir? If you wander along the path fringing Grimwith (pronounced Grim’ath) Reservoir, you’ll come to High Laithe, a lonesome cruck barn perched on a mound of grass beside the water.

In Medieval times wooden constructed cruck barns were two-a-penny across the Dales before the great rebuild in the 17th century when they were torn down and rebuilt in stone, often re-using the curved cruck timber in the ceilings. Now they’re a rare sight with their steep…

How do you feel about ghosts and shadows of the past? Have you heard of witches' marks or apotropaic marks? We didn't realise it when we bought our house, but in theory our house is protected by one of them...

I'm not sure I entirely believe in ghosts or witches, but a few experiences have shown me how the past can echo down the years. Many years ago we stayed near the Bolton Abbey Estate, in Beamsley Hospital, a beautiful 16th/17th century Landmark Trust property, once home to impoverished gentl…

Hawthorn trees are associated with May Day and many ancient customs. Blossoming hawthorn trees are one of the signs that Spring is really here, and known as the May Tree. Heard the expression: "ne'er cast a clout till May be out"? It doesn't mean don't take off any clothes ('clout'- old word for clothes) such as your wool vest, until the end of May. Rather it means that Spring hasn't properly arrived until the May tree flowers are out.

Hawthorn's associated with another saying: "to hold a torch f…

What makes a perfect outing with family and friends? I think there are several key ingredients: a walk so everyone can get out into the fresh air but not so far that those with little legs start to moan; somewhere with "ooh look at that" fine views;

a chance to learn something along the way; a good cafe at the end.

On a bright, clear day you can find all these ingredients in one place: Coldstones Cut. It's almost impossible to describe - you really do have to go there to experience it yourself. Ho…

Ingredients for a perfect trip? I think Askrigg has them all: lovely location; great walks to Aysgarth and Worton; James Herriot connections; excellent pubs and The Bake-well cafe (fab cakes); and quirky historical features.

You might find that Askrigg already looks familiar: probably thanks to its fame as a key location for the BBC's James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small, using one of the houses as Skeldale House and the King's Arms as the Drovers'. You can see photos from the filming in…

Do you have a favourite waterfall? We should almost be grateful to the rain, since it makes them so spectacular... Here are a few waterfalls you may already love? Which others do you like to visit?

- Stainforth Foss/Force: a picturesque waterfall where Atlantic salmon gather each Autumn and leap the falls on their way upstream to spawn

- Janet’s Foss: a small and pretty waterfall near Malham

- Ingleton waterfalls: a trail takes in a series of lovely waterfalls

- Catrigg Force: a hidden gem located i…

Ever noticed random humpty-dumpty little hills in the Yorkshire Dales or the remains of curious stone buildings scattered in remote areas?

Wandering through the peaceful Yorkshire Dales, it's hard to imagine that the area was once a much more industrial landscape, with extensive lead mines. There are lead ore deposits between Nidderdale and Wharfedale and in Arkengarthdale, Swaledale and Wensleydale.

Moulded blocks of lead have been found in the Yorkshire Dales dating back as far as Roman times, w…

7 reasons why Hawes is a great starting point for a visit to the Yorkshire Dales.

1. It's a sizeable market town and yet every single shop is still independently owned. It makes a great base for further exploration of the Dales.

2. Hawes' most famous attraction is Wensleydale Creamery where you can see Wensleydale cheese being made and of course sample the finished product.

3. The Dales Countryside Museum shares the stories of Dales people and places. Run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Author…