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The Spectacular Swaledale Festival Returns!
Rose Atkinson • May 27, 2021
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…
Entertaining Events
The all-star Family Fun Days
are set to take place on Reeth Green over the May Bank Holiday weekend. These three days are jam-packed full of outdoor activities and workshops, making for the ideal bank holiday treat for the children. With kite making workshops, live music performances and dance classes, there is fun to be had by all. And what’s more, the events are totally FREE to attend. We hope to see you there!
Wonderful Walks
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, why not take part in a wonderful walk around Swaledale with an experienced guide? Discover more about Swaledale’s rich history whilst admiring the abundance of flora and fauna. A contribution of £7 per adult and £3 per under 25 is required per walk. Take your pick from the following walks, taking place on dates throughout the next 6 months...
Dog-Friendly Rambles
If you wish to bring your dog along for a walk, the following events still have availability:
- Waterfalls of the Swale on Saturday 29th May, beginning at the Keld Resource Centre. This 2-mile gentle walk covers 7 of the finest waterfalls in Keld.
- River Swale & Gunnerside Ghyll on Wednesday 1st September, beginning near the B6270 Crackpot/Summer Lodge junction. This 6-mile moderate route focuses on river wildlife.
- Flora of Lower Swaledale on Tuesday 14th September, beginning at Yorke Square Car Park in Richmond Green. This 4-mile route passes by ancient abbeys, bridges, and railway tracks.
Human Only Hikes
The following walks are suitable for humans only – sorry to all the four-legged friends out there!
- Barns, Walls & Bridges on Saturday 17th July, beginning at Hawes National Park Centre. This 4.5-mile explores the “Herriot Country”, with an optional visit to Hardraw Force (£3 entry).
- Foxglove Covert on Tuesday 3rd August, beginning at Cambrai Lines Barracks. This 2.5-mile ramble explores a lovely nature reserve, tucked away in Europe’s largest military garrison.
- Falls, Freeholders & Flagstones on Friday 1st October, beginning at Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre. This 5-mile walk explores the history of Caperby, passing by all 3 Aysgarth falls.
Marvellous Music
With folk duos, classic music concertos and contemporary acts, there is something for all you music lovers out there. Venues include St. Andrew’s Church in Grinton, St. Mary’s Church in Richmond, and St. Andrew’s Church in Aysgarth, with prices ranging from £12-£16 for adults and £3 for under 25s.
Classical Concertos
- Josquin to Jones; Schubert to Sting on Wednesday 9th June in Grinton. This quartet will perform Renaissance lute songs, and a special commission by John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin).
- Philippa Mo (violin) & William Towers (viola) on Wednesday 1st September in Grinton. This energetic recital includes music by Hildegard von Bingen, Henry Purcell, and Gustav Holst.
- Meera Maharaj (flute) & Dominic Degavino (piano) on Friday 1st October in Aysgarth; performing Bizet’s Carmen Fantasy with music by Grace-Evangeline Mason and Cesar Franck.
- Moray Welsh Trio (cello, violin & piano) on Thursday 7th October in Aysgarth. This world class trio will perform Mozart’s Piano Trio in G major and Faure’s Elegy for Cello and Piano.
Fun Folk(s)
- The Young’uns on Sunday 30th May in Leyburn. These three folksingers from Stockton will be performing haunting songs and sharing captivating tales of characters in the North East.
- The Hut People on Saturday 17th July in Hawes. Swaledale Festival’s favourite popular folk duo will be performing a range of folk songs from across the globe.
- Brighde Chaimbeul (Scottish small pipes) & Aiden O’Rourke (violin) on Wednesday 6th October in Grinton. This duo features a talented young Scottish piper and superstar violinist.
Other Entertaining Ensembles
- Lotte Betts Dean (mezzo-soprano) & Sean Shibe (guitar) on Thursday 15th July in Grinton. This duo will perform songs by Schubert and Debussy, as well as Spanish and Brazilian tunes.
- Solus Trumpet Ensemble on Tuesday 3rd August in Grinton. This brass band includes five trumpeters who often perform with the Philharmonia and London Symphony Orchestra.
- Aurora Percussion Duo on Tuesday 14th September in Richmond. These two percussion stars will be performing musical masterpieces using a variety of percussion instruments.
For more information on all things Swaledale Festival, take a look at their website: https://www.swalefest.org/
Reeth Holiday Cottages: Your Home from Home in the Glorious Yorkshire Dales
Nestled in an idyllic, quiet corner of Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales, our four holiday cottages contain everything you need for a truly relaxing UK staycation. With a strong history spanning over 5 generations, our cottages all have fascinating and unique stories.
We have very limited availability during the summer season – however, we are now taking bookings for the autumn. Click here
to book your 2021 staycation in Reeth 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…
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…
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…