Once the hunting grounds of the Earls of Richmond, Upper Wensleydale is now a land of dry stone walls, small fields and traditional stone barns. After the Norman Conquest the the land above Bainbridge was left wooded and uncultivated and used by the nobility to hunt deer and wild boar. Visit the Rose and Crown Hotel to see the old hunting horn blown at dusk
over the centuries to warn travellers it was time to seek sanctuary from the night. Today as part of the conservation area within the Yorkshire Dales National Park farmers are encouraged to conserve the wild flowers, herbs and grasses that give the famous Wensleydale Cheese its distinctive flavour. Still made by hand at the Wensleydale Creamery in
Hawes you can enjoy a taste of the different varieties at their visitor centre. Also in Hawes visit nearby Gayle Mill and learn the history of one of the first the water powered turbines in the world and watch how the turbine and the Victorian wood working machinery that has been fully restored to working order run. The Dales Countryside Museum and visitor
centre tells the story of the people and landscape of the dales with a changing programme of exhibitions and events for all the family throughout the year.

Askrigg, once the market town of the upper dale (a charter lost to Hawes in 1699) is now a quiet village and was the setting for the home of James Herriot in the TV serial 'All Creatures Great and Small', the interior of the Kings Arms Hotel that dates back to the days of coaching
inns and highway men, became the vets local pub and appeared in many episodes.

A visit to the waterfalls at Hardraw Scaur and Aysgarth Falls is essential, both waterfalls along with nearby Bolton Castle were painted by JMW Turner during his tour of Yorkshire in the 1800's, a new 'Turner Trail' leaflet is now available for enthusiast to follow in his
footsteps. Popular with walkers and mountain bikers the spectular scenery changes with the seasons but whatever your preference, active or following more leisurely persuits, in Upper Wensleydale there is always something for all ages to enjoy.

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