Things to do and see

The Yorkshire Dales are a great place to explore. With stunning scenery and idyllic market towns there is plenty to do and see on your “days out” from The Old Town Hall luxury bed and breakfast. We are ideally located for sightseeing this wonderful part of North Yorkshire.

For walkers there are circular routes from our front door. David and Louise will be happy to talk you through the routes for instance up to Bolton Castle, down to Aysgarth Falls and back along the River Ure. Or a short walk to Redmire Force. Or you could walk to Leyburn where you can walk back, or catch a bus. Whatever distance you would like to walk there are plenty of OS maps and walking route books for you to borrow. We offer drying facilities for boots and clothing in case you get wet. Visitors in the autumn and winter months will benefit from seeing the many waterfalls in the area at their ‘full’ and most spectacular, making the occasional rain shower a definite plus.

If you like to sightsee by car, and get out every now and then, there is a lovely circular route through Swaledale and Wensleydale. From Redmire drive over the tops via Grinton to Reeth, through Gunnerside, Muker and turning left before Thwaite over Buttertubs Pass to Hardrow Force, Hawes and back through Wensleydale via Askrigg, Aysgarth Falls, Carperby and Redmire. Extend the trip slightly and visit the famous Tan Hill Inn near Keld (before going over Buttertubs Pass) or visit Richmond before going to Reeth. We have drawn out this route so you don’t have to remember it all. You can do the route the other way round and it’s just as spectacular!

For cyclists Redmire is on The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway and serves as an ideal base for all. We have secure storage for cycles. There are cycle hire shops in Leyburn, Fremington near Reeth, and Hawes.

What to see in Wensleydale

Leyburn - our local market town is just 5 miles away, here you will find cafes, many independent shops for instance Wensleydale Longwool and Campbells a fine delicatessen and amazing “wine cellar” upstairs. Tennants the well-known auction house is on the outskirts of the town with a café and restaurant. If you walk off the market place towards The Shawl you’ll be treated to wonderful views of Penhill. The Wensleydale Agricultural Show is held in August.

Other nearby attractions are White Rose Candles, Middleham Castle, Jervaulx Abbey, Brymor Ice cream and the Forbidden Corner.

Bolton Castle - The medieval fortress, built in 1336 and prison for Mary Queen of Scots in 1568, is less than ½ mile away from The Old Town Hall.

Aysgarth Falls and Hardrow Force (the highest single drop waterfall) are both featured in “Robin Hood and the Prince of Thieves” starring Kevin Costner. Other waterfalls to visit in Wensleydale include Mill Gill at Askrigg, Cauldren Fall in West Burton and Cotter Force near Hawes.

Hawes - home of Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese at Wensleydale Creamery with its museum, shop, cheese making viewing gallery and sample the many different flavours of the cheese made famous by Wallace and Gromit. Other attractions include The Dales Countryside Museum and many independent shops.

What to see in Swaledale

Richmond - Marvel the views from Richmond Castle, visit The Georgian Theatre Royal (Britains’s most complete Georgian playhouse). There are two museums The Green Howards Museum and Richmondshire Museum. Don’t forget to visit The Station, housing food and drink businesses, a gallery with changing exhibitions, a cinema and a café.

Reeth - A picturesque village with the Swaledale Museum plus many pubs and cafes. Nearby is “the splash” in Arkengarthdale as featured in the opening sequence of the orginal series of “All Creatures Great and Small”.

Muker - The Old School Muker art and craft gallery, Swaledale Woollens, and the gentle walk to the River Swale through the beautiful summer flower meadows - not to be missed.