Swaledale is the most northerly of the major dales in the Yorkshire Dales. It's a deep, winding valley with a rugged, unspoiled landscape. The area has a rich lead mining history, with evidence of mines and mining communities. The River Swale flows through traditional hay meadows bright with wild flowers in the summer surrounded by miles of drystone walls and dotted with numerous stone field barns. This pattern of field walls, barns and meadows is a special feature of Swaledale.
Reeth has a village green with inns, hotels, cafes and craft shops, plus the Swaledale Museum which offers insights into the area's history and culture.
There are also lovely villages further up the dale such as Muker - which has its annual agricultural show in September - Gunnerside and Keld. All offer easy access to unspoilt landscapes.
Swaledale Festival is an annual festival of music, arts and walking based in the three most northerly Yorkshire Dales - Swaledale, Wensleydale and Arkengarthdale - a large rural area of outstanding beauty. The next festival will take place from 29th May to 12th June 2027.
The Little White BusDales Jumper service links Hawes, Tan Hill, Arkengarthdale and Reeth on Fridays between July and September.
On Summer Sundays (until 18th October 2026) Northern DalesBus services 830 and 831 run through Swaledale, crossing the spectacular Buttertubs Pass to/from Hawes in Wensleydale: