Swaledale was one of my favorite discoveries of 2020, both in Yorkshire and in the UK in general. This is a beautiful, scenic, and quiet part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and now one of my favorite places in Yorkshire. There are so many good walks to do in the area, but it’s also home to some of the most gorgeous, charming little villages I’ve ever seen. These are the prettiest villages to visit in Swaledale!

Muker

Muker (pronounced “mooker”) is one of the main Swaledale villages. The best time to visit is June, when the Muker Meadows blossom with wildflowers—one of the best places to see wildflowers in bloom in Yorkshire. There’s a pub, a village shop, a woolen clothing shop, a small gallery, a church, and a smattering of pretty stone houses and buildings. I’ve been to Muker several times and it never disappoints. Don’t miss the Swaledale ewe perched on the top of the Swaledale Woolens building!

Keld

Smaller than Muker, Keld is at the other end of the valley and another pretty village to visit. There’s even less here, really just a pub on the outskirts, and small café attached to the campsite. Kisdon Force and Crackpot Hall are a short walk outside of the village.

The views from Crackpot Hall (looking down over the River Swale towards Muker) are some of the best in Yorkshire in my opinion.

Angram

Angram is a blink-and-you-miss-it tiny collection of houses and buildings on the B6270 between Muker and Keld. I loved the pretty stone cottages though—just be courteous and quick as there’s really nowhere to park here.

Thwaite

South of Angram and also between Muker and Keld on the B6270, Thwaite is ever so slightly larger than Angram. There’s a tea shop and the Kearton Country Hotel, and also a pretty stone bridge over the beck. I love the red phonebox and all the pretty stone cottages!

Gunnerside

Another stunningly pretty, small Swaledale village, Gunnerside has a pub, one or two cafes, and plenty of postcard-perfect cottages. Parking is in the village square (across the bridge), and done by honesty box donation. There are lots of great walks from here—you can see the old mining ruins at Gunnerside Gill, or enjoy a riverside ramble along the River Swale to see Muker.

Healaugh

There’s really not much in Healaugh besides the pretty stone houses and buildings that line the B6270 road. Make sure to take a look at the red phonebox—it’s so charming next to rose vines! There are spaces for one or two cars outside the notice board, but please park with courtesy.

Reeth

Reeth is the largest of all these Swaledale villages—it’s definitely the center of things in Swaledale! There are several pubs, cafes, shops, restaurants, hotels, an excellent ice cream shop, a museum, a bakery, and a very cute post office. If you were wanting to stay somewhere in Swaledale that’s quiet and rural, but with access to places to eat and drink, I’d recommend Reeth! There are so many good walks from here, but the 10-mile walk along Fremington Edge to Langthwaite (in Arkengarthdale) and back is one of the best. There is parking on the village green—pay in the honesty boxes dotted around the green

Fremington

Just down the road from Reeth, Fremington is divided into two sections: High Fremington and Low Fremington. High Fremington is just a smattering of houses (around farmland), while Low Fremington is located on the B6270 road and is home to the Dales Bike Center. Great if you’re planning on doing any cycling in the Yorkshire Dales!

Grinton

Just across the River Swale from Fremington, Grinton is a pretty village with some adorable cottages. There’s also a pub, the Bridge Inn, and a church. There’s a nice, easy, and accessible walk between Grinton and Reeth if you want to avoid walking alongside the road. The YHA Grinton Lodge is located on the road that heads to Leyburn.

Planning Your Trip

My trips to Swaledale were all done as daytrips from where I live in York. If you want to stay somewhere quiet and peaceful but with amenities, I’d recommend staying in Reeth. If you want a more rural stay, I’d stay somewhere around Muker. There aren’t train stations in this part of the Yorkshire Dales, but you can get around on the Little White Bus between Keld and Richmond. You can search for hostels nearby here, or for hotels and B&Bs here. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Booking.com

Interested in a tour? Check out these tours that visit Swaledale!

 

Swaledale is a fantastic choice for walking and being outdoors, or for anyone who enjoys beautiful scenery. But there are so many charming, postcard-perfect little villages to discover as well! I love this part of the Yorkshire Dales and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of visiting. Whether you love photographing beautiful cottages or just enjoy the scenery in Swaledale, I hope this post helps you plan your trip to Swaledale to see these pretty villages!

Have you been to Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales? What were your favorite places?

You might also like my posts:

Exploring Swaledale In The Yorkshire Dales: Hiking Around Muker, Keld, And More!

The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales

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Exploring The Yorkshire Dales: Hiking Pen-y-Ghent

Exploring Wharfedale: Hiking From Grassington To Hebden In The Yorkshire Dales

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All of my Yorkshire posts!

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