At first glance, Muker in Swaledale is a tiny place but it certainly packs its punch in a small space. At the confluence of the River Swale and Straw Beck, it's a great base from which to walk. You might want to start with a tea or cake before you get started. The Village Shop also doubles up at a tea room. Almost next door is the Old School which combines a gallery with a lovely garden at the back and a cafe where you can choose your cake and coffee and then drop the money into the honesty box.
Before setting off on your walk, you might want to pop into Swaledale Woollens. They stock an incredible variety of woollen goods, many hand-made locally by an army of around 30 people who hand-knit and crochet local wools.
Muker is beautiful all year round but it's particularly wonderful in June when the wildflower meadows are in full flower. Make sure you stick to the paths - there are flagstoned paths in some of the fields so you can get closer to admire the myriad varieties of wildflowers.
Over recent years the hay meadows have become even more precious. Farmers work with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust to use more traditional haymaking methods and cut the hay after the wildflowers have had time to set their seed, ensuring future crops are just as lush. You can get another insight into farming life at the Muker Show on the first Wednesday in September. It's one of the many times you'll get a chance to hear the marvellous Muker Silver Band, established in 1897 and now performing through out Swaledale and Wensleydale.
Make sure you peak inside the lovely St. Mary's Church in Muker. I'm fascinated by the pictures of previous vicars including the one below on a tricycle. Having walked up and down some of the neighbouring hills and parishes, I can't imagine he got very far on his bike although I love the idea of him free-wheeling and whooshing down the hills! From the graveyard you can peak over the wall into some of Muker's wonderful wild flower meadows. I especially like the abandoned door on the roof of one the old farm buildings.
When you're ready for more substantial refreshments, it's time for the Farmer's Arms. It's a proper pub-pub, with stone flags on the floor, an open fire in Winter (and Spring, and Autumn, and sometimes even Summer...) and they welcome walkers, dogs and families.
Before setting off on your walk, you might want to pop into Swaledale Woollens. They stock an incredible variety of woollen goods, many hand-made locally by an army of around 30 people who hand-knit and crochet local wools.
Muker is beautiful all year round but it's particularly wonderful in June when the wildflower meadows are in full flower. Make sure you stick to the paths - there are flagstoned paths in some of the fields so you can get closer to admire the myriad varieties of wildflowers.
Over recent years the hay meadows have become even more precious. Farmers work with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust to use more traditional haymaking methods and cut the hay after the wildflowers have had time to set their seed, ensuring future crops are just as lush. You can get another insight into farming life at the Muker Show on the first Wednesday in September. It's one of the many times you'll get a chance to hear the marvellous Muker Silver Band, established in 1897 and now performing through out Swaledale and Wensleydale.
Make sure you peak inside the lovely St. Mary's Church in Muker. I'm fascinated by the pictures of previous vicars including the one below on a tricycle. Having walked up and down some of the neighbouring hills and parishes, I can't imagine he got very far on his bike although I love the idea of him free-wheeling and whooshing down the hills! From the graveyard you can peak over the wall into some of Muker's wonderful wild flower meadows. I especially like the abandoned door on the roof of one the old farm buildings.
When you're ready for more substantial refreshments, it's time for the Farmer's Arms. It's a proper pub-pub, with stone flags on the floor, an open fire in Winter (and Spring, and Autumn, and sometimes even Summer...) and they welcome walkers, dogs and families.
