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Historic architecture
Over the River Swale stands the imposing Richmond Castle, erected in 1071 and built in distinguishable honey coloured sandstone, this towering building is one of the finest examples of construction during the Norman Conquest. Explore the castle’s grand keep, with its 100ft high surrounding walls, or visit the two striking courtyards. You’ll also find a whole host of things to see and do in the exhibition centre, from interactive tours of the castle’s infamous prison cells to inspecting its very own ancient artefacts.
Re-visit the past
Visit Gunnerside and you’ll be lured in by Swaledale’s extensive mining heritage, which at its peak provided upto 10% of the country’s lead. Traverse the steep banks of Gunnerside Ghyll valley and you’ll find a wide network of mining remains at your feet, just waiting to be explored. At the bottom of the ghyll there’s The Old Working Smithy & Museum, which was established in 1795 and displays a surprising collection of objects and artefacts from the mining period.
Faith in the country
Swaledale has a broad selection of churches including St Mary’s in Muker, St Andrew’s in Grinton and Holy Trinity in Low Row. Whether you’re visiting to partake in prayer, or just to soak up the tranquil atmosphere, these historical venues have a lot to offer for everyone.
Browse: more on the Yorkshire Dales & North Yorkshire.