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Stunning Summertime in the Yorkshire Dales
Rose Atkinson • Jul 01, 2021
Nature truly comes alive in the Yorkshire Dales during the summer months. Birds and animals are hard at work feeding their young, whilst the spectacular hay meadows reach their peak. There is no finer sight or smell than a hay meadow in full flower on a hot summer’s day!
Swaledale boasts some of the Dales’ finest hay meadows, which are best experienced in late June to early July. Keep reading to discover more about the Yorkshire Dales’ very own delightful hay meadows…
The History of the Hay Meadow
Hay meadows are an iconic feature of the quintessential English countryside. The meadows provide essential habitats to around 120 species of wonderful wildflowers and glorious grasses; as well as many species of mammals, invertebrates and birds. Mature hay meadows can take many years to create, in order to allow the species of flora and fauna to truly thrive.
Hay meadows also post great agricultural significance. Historically, hay meadows were a vital source of animal fodder, providing farmers with much-needed food for their livestock during the winter months. Now, silage making has begun to replace hay making. This is because silage is more nutritious than hay, the grass can be cut much earlier and there is no drying required. Therefore, it is vitally important that we protect these important habitats and the species that inhabit them.
The Yorkshire Dales contains around 1/6th of the UK’s remaining upland hay meadows, mostly scattered amongst Langstrothdale, Ribblesdale, Arkengarthdale and Swaledale. Unfortunately, over 95% of hay meadows in the UK have been lost over the last 50 years, so any remaining hay meadows are renowned for both their beauty and biodiversity.
Fascinating Flora & Fauna
The spectacular sights, sounds and smells of a wildflower meadow in full bloom is a truly enchanting experience. In upland hay meadows (the type found here in the Dales), you will find species including Wood Crane’s-bill, Melancholy Thistle, Yellow Rattle, Pignut, Lady’s Mantle, Rough Hawkbit, Cat’s-ear
and Sweet Vernal Grass; as well as rare plants such as the Butterfly Orchid, Burnt Orchid, Montane Eyebright
and Small-White Orchid.
As well as providing important feeding habitats for birds and insects, hay meadows emit the most scent-sational fragrances. Meadowsweet
has a vague medicinal smell, Lady’s Bedstraw
acts as a mild sedative and is often used to stuff mattresses, and Sweet Vernal Grass
has the most delicious vanilla scent. When blended with other botanical matter such as Lady’s Mantle, Crane’s-bill, Buttercups, Yellow Rattle
and Clover, you will find yourself with the most fragrant, tastiest hay possible.
At peak flowering time, hay meadows positively hum with bees, hoverflies, moths, and a whole array of other insects. These insects serve as invaluable food for visiting swallows that swoop across the meadows. If you stay for long enough, you may even witness a curlew, skylark or kestrel as they go about their business!
Muker’s Magical Hay Meadows
Sitting at the head of Swaledale at the confluence of the Straw Beck and River Swale, Muker, meaning “the narrow newly cultivated field” in old Norse, is one of the most idyllic villages in the Dales. Boasting a meandering river and spectacular scenery, the Muker area is one of the best places to explore the vibrant upland hay meadows.
Some areas are protected as part of the Muker Meadows Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Northern Pennine Dales Meadows Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Four of Muker’s meadows were also included in the Top 60 Coronation Meadows
by The Prince of Wales in 2013; celebrating Muker as a surviving “jewel of the crown”.
Muker contains a vast network of footpaths, some of which take you directly through these stunning wildflower habitats. The area contains twelve wildflower fields in total – six of which feature marked paths and two of which are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Tucked away from the outside world, Muker provides the most dramatic example of flower rich fields in the whole of the UK.
Discover the enchanting explosion of colour and amazing abundance of wildlife during a wonderful walk around Muker. Venture along the marked stone path which snakes through several small fields, carefully divided by sturdy drystone walls. The valley floor is positively carpeted in a sea of colour – the product of years and years of careful management from dedicated Dales’ farmers.
Rediscover Nature at Reeth Holiday Cottages
Reeth Holiday Cottages provides the perfect base to explore the spectacular Yorkshire Dales. Our four luxury self-catering cottages are now fully booked for the summer – however, our 2022 diary is now open. Click here
to book in your date with mother nature today!
With the bank holidays coming up in May and the Summer Holidays on the horizon, we have put together a list of family friendly walks and activities to really make the most of your stay in beautiful Swaledale.
Happy New Year!
The most wonderful time of the year is almost here! Christmas 2020 was full of lockdowns and cancellations, so we’re definitely intending to make the most of the 2021 festive season. There are so many fun things happening in God’s Own Country this season – from artisan Christmas markets to spectacular light trails, Santa’s grotto visits and festive train rides, and so much more. Check out our guide below to discover some wonderful Christmas events taking place in the Yorkshire Dales this month…
Autumn is a truly wonderful time of year to visit the celebrated Yorkshire Dales. The Dales becomes an artist’s delight in the colder months, adding amazing autumn hues to its vibrant colour palette. Enjoy a stroll through the Dales as the leaves begin to fall or discover the county’s rich history in a quintessentially British castle, before curling up in front of a log fire in a hearty country pub. As the summer rush finally comes to an end, it’s the perfect excuse to get cosy in a luxury cottage this autumn. So, why not soak up the wonders of mother nature this season at Reeth Holiday Cottages?!
Have you been to visit the Yorkshire Dales yet? Our four luxury self-catering cottages are situated in the glorious village of Reeth, tucked away in the corner of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale. Reeth is a bustling hub of activity, perfect for exploring the celebrated Yorkshire Dales. Our cottages are extremely popular amongst walkers and visitors to the area. The Yorkshire Dales is one of the most picturesque areas in the whole of the UK and is arguably the waterfall capital of England. The county is awash with waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, with its dramatic landscapes boasting cascading falls. The Yorkshire Dales features the highest waterfalls in England both below and above ground, as well as the highest single drop waterfall in the country. We have compiled a handy list of our favourite waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales; so you can spend less time researching, and more time exploring. All the below walks can be found on the OS Maps app, which guests can access whilst staying at our cottages.
The annual grouse shooting season is one of the most celebrated events in the Yorkshire Dales calendar; beginning on the Glorious Twelfth (12th August) and lasting until 10th December. Moorland owners and gamekeepers of the Yorkshire Dales carry out vital conservation work on more than 226,000 acres of precious heather moorland across the area, many of which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). During the late summer season, our beautiful Dales moorland really is a sight to behold. The heather is in full bloom on our uplands, turning the hills a vivid purple. The heather provides the perfect habitat for the remarkable red grouse. Keep reading to discover more about our important work in moorland management…
After being cancelled last year, we are delighted that the renowned Swaledale Festival has returned in 2021! This celebration of music and arts has been running since 1972, situated in the three most northern areas of the Yorkshire Dales: Swaledale, Wensleydale and Arkengarthdale. Beginning on the Saturday of the late May Bank Holiday each year, the festival boasts marvellous musical acts, artistic workshops, children’s events, guided walks and much more. This year, festival organisers have decided to spread events over a six-month period, instead of the usual 2 weeks. Many events have been so popular that they are already sold out, but there are still tickets remaining for the following…
Tucked away in a cosy corner of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, the picturesque village of Reeth is perfectly placed to explore the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. Visitors from near and afar flock to Reeth to explore the spectacular Yorkshire Dales landscape each year. The village is only a short two-minute stroll from our four luxury self-catering cottages and the community of Reeth is always bustling with activity. There are various pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, a museum, a hairdresser’s, an ice cream parlour, a beauty salon, and a weekly Friday market to enjoy.
Want to whisk the kids away on holiday this year? With holidays abroad being off the cards for the time being, why not consider a fun family staycation here in the Yorkshire Dales?! Our lovely self-catering cottages are set in the idyllic village of Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales, providing a real “Home from Home” experience. Set in the spectacular Swaledale countryside, surrounded by stunning views and breathtaking scenery, our luxury cottages offer the perfect opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There are plenty of activities nearby for children of all ages to enjoy; whether they are keen moochers, adventurers or explorers. Take a day trip to the famous Thorp Perrow arboretum or play and explore at the fantastic Forbidden Corner – the possibilities are truly endless!
Our four luxury holiday cottages are nestled in the idyllic, quiet village of Reeth. We are tucked away in the corner of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, situated in the north of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Spring is in the air, and we can finally shake off the chill of winter (is it just me or did winter last forever?!). The end of lockdown is in sight, and we can look forward to catching up with friends and family after so long apart – and there’s no better place to celebrate the end of lockdown than the glorious Yorkshire Dales…