Yorkshire Dales December 2009

Simon Stevens and Rebecca Blyth explored several Dales areas in preparation for UK Exploratory's new trip. This will be the Yorkshire Dales Explorer. The main bases for this period of research were Wharfedale, Wensleydale and Swaledale. Crisp winter weather made for long views.

From Litton in Littondale we walked up onto the moor.



Limestone terraces above Pen-y-ghent Gill.



Rebecca on the meandering path above Hesleden Beck.



In Wharfedale the next morning there was a sharp frost on the fields.



A barn on the way to Buckden.



Buckden Village Stores.



The church in Hubberholme has a smart sign outside. It's a lovely old place that can be looked round.



Back in the valley after a ridge walk, at Beckermonds we saw a total contrast between the side of the valley that the sun had hit, and the other side.



Frosty one side, not on t'other.



Moving to Wensleydale we visited Semer Water, the largest body of water in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The Dales is nothing like the Lake District, for example, with respect to bodies of water.



Now in Swaledale we walked from Reeth up Arkengarthdale and onto Fremington Edge. Arkengarthdale branches up from Swaledale and has the Tan Hill Inn, highest pub in Great Britain, at its top.



On Fremington Edge.



Dropping down to Reeth we pass through a stone stile typical of the Dales.



Higher up Swaledale the charm increases. Here sheep graze fields that are bounded by that classic structure of Swaledale, the barn built onto a wall.



Affectionate sheep.



Classic Swaledale from above the village of Thwaite.

In the pipeline - keep up to date with the forthcoming Yorkshire Dales Explorer