GGrassington in Wharfedale is a lovely small market town (often referred to as a village), where you can enjoy a leisurely wander up and down its two parallel lanes. Many people use it as a base from which to walk, or come to shop. Spend a little longer and saunter down some of its little side alleys and you'll discover many intriguing and beautiful historical features. Some of the date stones above the doorways of the old buildings are ancient and ornate.
In the surrounding area you'll be able to spot some of the vestiges of the former lead mining industry, which is also commemorated in the welcome stone on the cobbled area at the bottom of the hill. The Grass Woods nearby have a wonderful show of bluebells in the spring and was also the site of a fortress of ancient Britons who fought against the Romans.
In the surrounding area you'll be able to spot some of the vestiges of the former lead mining industry, which is also commemorated in the welcome stone on the cobbled area at the bottom of the hill. The Grass Woods nearby have a wonderful show of bluebells in the spring and was also the site of a fortress of ancient Britons who fought against the Romans.
Grassington is a bustling centre within the Dales, with enough small independent shops to satisfy locals and visitors. I'm always drawn by the hardware shop, convinced they have things I urgently need.
There are several cafes and pubs, including the excellent Grassington Lodge.
The wine shop has a tardis-like feel and great selection, and there are plenty of places to buy chocolates, crafts gifts and clothes. The relatively new Stripey Badger book shop is another welcome addition.
There are several cafes and pubs, including the excellent Grassington Lodge.
The wine shop has a tardis-like feel and great selection, and there are plenty of places to buy chocolates, crafts gifts and clothes. The relatively new Stripey Badger book shop is another welcome addition.
Dig deeper into Grassington's history with a visit to the small Grassington folk museum which is free to enter but donations are very welcome. It reminds me of the kind of museums my sister and I used to love to visit as children, and then try to recreate at home. Many museums feel they have to distract from the fact they're full of historical items by providing touch screens to interest younger visitors, whereas the objects themselves are the reason the museum really exists.
One of Grassington's less savoury claims to fame is as home of the notorious blacksmith Tom Lee. In 1766, he went to a cock fight in Kettlewell with Dr Petty where the doctor won a significant sum of money in a bet. They apparently celebrated at various inns on the way home before Dr. Petty was killed in Grassington Woods. Tom Lee was arrested but there wasn't enough evidence to charge him until a former servant came forward a couple of year later and gave evidence so Tom Lee was arrested again and hanged. There are local stories that he still haunts the area.
You can enjoy jollier entertainment during the two week Grassington Festival each summer and the Dickensian Festival in December each year. Parking is limited so start your visit at the bottom of the hill, parking in the Yorkshire Dales National Park's car park.
You can enjoy jollier entertainment during the two week Grassington Festival each summer and the Dickensian Festival in December each year. Parking is limited so start your visit at the bottom of the hill, parking in the Yorkshire Dales National Park's car park.
RSS Feed
