Relaxing in and around Reeth

Whether you are planning on pony trekking, pot holing, mountain biking or simply getting away from it all, Reeth is a good place to start. At the centre of the Northern Dales, this compact 18th Century town is home to some of the region's finest arts and crafts, country inns and scenery. It's also perfectly placed to explore the rolling Viking Valleys and peaks of nearby Arkengarthdale and Swaledale, and a landscape of secluded villages and cascading moorland streams.

Unbelievable sights

If exploring is your thing, then you've come to the right place. Reeth has a variety of beautiful yet challenging hill walks and an abundance of wildlife on offer, guaranteed to satisfy even the most seasoned of sightseers. There's large numbers of curlew, lapwing, oystercatcher, wild hare...and if you're lucky even the rare black grouse. Visit in April or May and you'll catch the new-born baby lambs too.

Natural Beauty

Reeth was also the birthplace of popular fiction novelist Ruby Ferguson, whose stories were enjoyed so much by The Queen Mother that she was invited to Buckingham Palace for dinner. Ferguson's atmospheric inspiration arguably came from Reeth's mysterious yet picturesque landscape of wild flower meadows and stunning heather, which is concealed between the hills.

Saddle up

If you prefer a slightly less strenuous form of travel, Reeth's moors provide the perfect terrain for pony trekking, a firm favourite method of transport among visitors. Alternatively adrenaline junkies can take it up a gear on our range of fast paced mountain biking trails, bike hire and courses are available from the nearby Dales Bike Centre.

Swaledale & Wensleydale Arts & Crafts Trail

Many Arts and craftpeople live and work in Swaledale and Wensleydale, finding inspiration in a unique country side of pastoral riverside villages, tumbling waterfalls, sweeping fells and moorland. Download the trail (PDF).

They are a diverse band of artists working in and with a wide variety of materials wood and wools, metaland glass, clay and candle wax, rope, felt and copper. All of them are dedicated to creating high quality beautifully crafted products for the market both at home and overseas.

Visit them in their own workshops and take home a piece of the artistic Dales. The villages where the workshops can be found are Reeth and Muker in Swaledale and Hawes, Hardraw, West Burton, Wensley and Garriston, in Wensleydale.

Live entertainment

There's a whole host of exciting entertainment waiting for you In Reeth, from the Reeth brass band which has provided the soundtrack for the local community for over a century, to the Reeth Show; a traditional agricultural show with a range of entertainment including, stalls and displays as well as a sheep show, fell race and rides for the children. Both of these great events are held on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Festive fun

Reeth Green has festivities going on throughout the year, with a bonfire and firework display on Novermber 5th and more sky bound illuminations on New Year's Day. Visit in May or June to get involved in the nearby Swaledale Festival, which has a wide range of activities and entertainment on offer...it's a great chance to meet new people, get involved in the community and ultimately have fun. Events range from open mic poetry, live music, and archaeology to the popular Wensleydale walk.

Recharge and unwind

Whether you're in need of a refuel before hitting the trails, or you simply want to gorge on some of the local grub, Reeth is home to a number of friendly and delicious eateries that will satisfy your needs. If location is key, why not try The Burgoyne Hotel, which is situated at the top of the village green, this hotel has views to die for and food to match. If you want fine dining in a romantic setting why not try Overton House Café which received a five star rating on Tripadvisor. Alternatively if you simply fancy some real ales and hearty homemade pub grub, Reeth has a wide variety of options from The Buck Hotel, The Kings Arms or The Black Bull, all of which welcome families and muddy walkers with a smile.

Afternoon tea

If you're looking for a quick cuppa, The Copper Kettle is a great place to stop by at. You'll be greeted with a smile and treated to a range of teas, coffees and cakes in an idyllic village setting. There's also Ivy Tearooms which has stunning views of the green and serves up an award winning breakfast too.

Family fun

Reeth Community Orchard provides the ideal setting for both adults and children alike; explore the well maintained gardens with rows of colourful perennials, or regroup on one of the park's benches as the kids let off some steam and play on the grassed areas. There's also Reeth playground on Back Lane which has undergone a recent refurbishment, and the famous Swing Bridge which was rebuilt in 2002 and crosses the River Swale.

Neighbouring activities

More family fun is just around the corner in Swaledale, with a variety of different activities just a short drive away. Hazel Brow Farm is a firm favourite among visitors because there's something to do and see all year round, even in wet weather. From guided tours around the grounds to interactions with farm animals, there are also plenty of places to sit down for a picnic by the stream. Head northwest of Healaugh to visit the Old Gang Mine and water-splash ford, made famous by the opening credits of TV series ‘All Creatures Great and Small.' Finally, venture slightly further afield and you'll find The Forbidden Corner, (a Tripadvisor top rated maze), just a 30 minute drive away.

Dive into the culture

Reeth has a rich heritage which centres on its contribution to the lead mining industry as well as the age old craft of hand-knitting. Swaledale Museum on the Green is an ideal place to delve deeper into Reeth's rich history with its exciting demonstrations and hands-on exhibits which explain the development of the local area from its geographical inception in the Iron Age, to the evolution and deterioration of the lead mining trade between the 1650s and 1950s. The museum also pays tribute to the artistry and craftsmanship of Reeth's past inhabitants, offering an insightful glimpse of how the previous generations lived.

Committed to their craft

As is expected from one of Yorkshire's most unique little villages, Reeth is host to a number of speciality shops and stalls which remain devoted to traditional methods of artistry and production. There's The Fat Sheep which sells exclusive locally made gifts, or for those in the market for art, head over to Silver Street, where you'll find a range of local artistry, sculptures and landscape photography in Reeth Dales Centre and the Scenicview Gallery. Finally, there's Philip Bastow Cabinet Maker, a specialist in transforming ‘living tree into a living masterpiece', and with over 30 years' experience, his bespoke offerings are definitely worth a look.

Small village, big heart

Despite its small size, Reeth is a remarkably lively place that is jam packed with independent retailers, so if you're a window shopper or a seasoned bargain hunter you're really in for a treat. Friday is market day on Reeth Green, where you can haggle away and find a range of unique local crafts and produce. Visitors are attracted to Reeth, because it strikes a perfect balance between the natural tranquillity of its surroundings and the abundant facilities in its bustling interior. From the friendly village store, gift shop and hair salon on Arkengarthdale Road, to the Garden House Shop, Friday fish and chip van and Reeth Bakery on Silver Street, there's a variety of options that are guaranteed to satisfy the needs of every visitor.