Somehow we’ve reached October and we’re well into Autumn meaning there’s not long until the schools break up for half term! A week at home as a family might not be something you’re looking forward to after months at home during lockdown, so why not make up for lost holidays and head away to the Dales for the week. We still have some availability in our cottages for a short half term getaway, whether for a couple of nights or the full week, and there’s plenty to do in the area to keep you and the whole family entertained.
Just down the road from plenty of our cottages in Swaledale, is the Dales Bike Centre in Fremington – a hamlet between Grinton and Reeth. They offer bike rentals, meaning you don’t have to lug everyone’s bikes over with you or worry about storing them when you get to your cottage! They also have a range of trail maps for you to try, so you can tailor your ride to your experience – and did we mention they also do coffee, tea and yummy cake? Their motto is ‘Ride, Eat Cake, Sleep’ – so why not take the whole family out for a ride, tire them out and treat them to some tasty tea and cake before retreating back to one of our cosy cottages to relax?
If you’re not a fan of biking, enjoy the countryside on foot instead and head for the hills to experience some of the most spectacular views of the area. For young families, we recommend heading up Penhill, just above West Witton, either with a picnic for when you reach the top or head to one of the pubs in the village upon your descent! If you’re looking for something trickier, try one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks or one of our other impressive mountains – you’ll certainly have earnt some good pub grub after climbing one of those!
With the return of All Creatures Great and Small to our TV screens back in September and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original publication of Herriot’s cherished books, it now seems more apt than ever to visit Herriot country and explore the stomping ground of the well known Yorkshire vet. The original TV series was mainly filmed in Swaledale, Arkengarthdale and Wensleydale so we’re ideally situated to explore some of the spots featured in the renowned BBC TV show! The latest series has been filmed in Grassington and surrounding areas, over towards Skipton – which is still less than an hour and a half’s drive away from most of our cottages, meaning you can make a day of exploring the recent TV show’s backdrop too!
Whatever part of the Yorkshire Dales you’re looking to explore this half term, our cottages are ideally located to trek out from and retreat back to after a long day adventuring as a family. With only a few weeks left until the schools break up for the week, our cottages are quickly filling up, so be sure to book your stay with us now to guarantee your 2020 staycation! We can’t wait to welcome you to our cottages and our gorgeous local area, we look forward to seeing you soon!