The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Melbecks

The pub is a community-owned pub as of August 2024, purchased for the benefit of locals and visitors.

The stone bridge is a Grade II listed structure and one of the key historic crossings of the River Swale, linking Reeth with Grinton and the old Corpse Way route. Despite its modest size, it has survived multiple major Swaledale floods, making it one of the more quietly resilient pieces of infrastructure in the dale.

Grinton St. Andrew's Church is known as “The Cathedral of the Dales” because for centuries it was the only parish church in Upper Swaledale, receiving the dead carried for miles along the old Corpse Way. Inside, it preserves rare historic features, including a chained Bible, a Jacobean pulpit, and a hagioscope (or “leper’s squint”) cut through the wall.

"But there was something else that bothered me: 'My relative Edward's books are generally arranged alphabetically, but he always made exceptions,' I said, looking at our guest. 'Is that also the case in your father's library?' - 'I never paid attention to that, because I don't read books,' was the surprisingly gruff reply. 'You probably have better things to do,' I replied, refraining from a biting comment. 'Life writes the strangest stories. Even the most imaginative novelist can't keep up with them,' Holmes quoted one of his favorite theories. 'Nevertheless, I can assure you that you're missing out on something if you completely forgo reading books.' 'I certainly can't imagine a life without books,' I agreed, but decided not to mention that I was actually a bookseller by trade.' (from the book 'Sherlock Holmes and the Trail of the Yeti' by Franziska Franke)

The Old Gang are the ruins of a lead smelting mill, it dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries.  It is one of the best preserved up in the north, and is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This trail runs right through it, passing by various building ruins, mine entrances, and the peat store.

A traditional Yorkshire pub owned and run by a community group of Muker. Charming inside and a sun trap outside.

Ivelet Bridge is a Grade II-listed structure that dates back to the late 16th century. Like many beauty spots around Swaledale and Wensleydale, it featured in the BBC's adaptation of James Herriot's novels, All Creatures Great and Small. In fact, the low-level version of the Herriot Way, a circular long-distance trail that follows the route author James Alfie Wight took with his son Jimmy, passes the bridge.

Nestled in peaceful Swaledale, Gunnerside is a classic Yorkshire Dales village. The King's Head, a community-owned, Grade II-listed pub, sits at its heart and serves good food and local ale. The surrounding moors make for interesting hill walks, with many remnants of the region's lead mining industry to discover and wide-ranging views to enjoy.