Things to do

Walking

Leave your car in our car park and explore the miles of paths and tracks straight from our door. Whether you want a gentle stroll or a challenging hike over the moors, there are plenty of walks; if you’re not sure, we can make suggestions and supply route cards (https://www.walking-books.com ) or check the Yorkshire Dales National Park. 

A popular way of exploring Swaledale is to take The Little White Bus up to Keld, Muker or Gunnerside and walk back or part way back to Reeth.

Reeth is about halfway on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk; The Herriot way and Swale Way. We work closely with walking tour companies Macs Adventure, Mickledore and Packhorse.

Cycling

Reeth is very popular with cyclists whether on a mountain bike or road cycle as it is an ideal base from which to explore the miles of tracks or cycle routes, the Stage One of the Tour de France having passed through in 2014 and The Dales Bike Centre, on the edge of Reeth, is the venue for the annual ArdRock Mountain Bike festival. 

Cambridge House is Visit England Welcome Cyclists and Yorkshire Cycle friendly and has secure cycle storage and bike cleaning facilities. 

Bike Hire is available at The Dales Bike Centre, Fremington, Reeth. 

Alfresco Adventures based in Reeth offers accompanied MTB trails.  

Experiences

Stargazing: It’s official! Experience some of the darkest skies in the UK in the Yorkshire Dales National Park International Dark Sky Site, the largest dark sky area in the UK. 

Step outside and be amazed by how many stars are visible or drive up Arkengarthdale to Tan Hill Dark Sky Discovery Site; experience the dark without light pollution. The best months are August through to April. 

Wild Water Swimming: Refresh and recharge yourself by wild swimming in Swaledale. Now recognised as being beneficial for both mind and body, you’re spoilt for choice where to swim in Swaledale and Wensleydale. Ellerton Park near Richmond also offers lake cold water swimming as well other water sports such as paddle boarding. 

Alfresco Adventures: Looking for experiences, adventure or the challenge of having a go at something new, then look no further for gorge walking, paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking.

Yorkshire Trike Tours: Be thrilled and excited! Explore the Dales on a three seater Boom Mustang trike and your own guide. 

Dales Wildlife: Immerse yourself in the rich variety of plants and animals inhabiting Swaledale; frequently observed are the curlew, lapwing and golden plover which are becoming increasingly rare elsewhere in the U.K. 

The wildflowers in early summer are breath taking, especially the Muker meadows.

Photography: While you’re here, why not improve your wildlife photography skills with Rob Clipsham Photography based in Richmond.

Heritage & Culture

Castles and houses: If you’re looking for castles to explore, then Swaledale, Wensleydale and Teesdale boast some of the finest castles in the country, having links to:

• Richard III and Mary Queen of Scots
• Richmond Castle
• Castle Bolton, Redmire, Leyburn
• Middleham Castle, Middleham, Leyburn
• Barnard Castle
• Raby Castle, near Barnard Castle
• Kiplin Hall, Richmond

Museums: Don’t wait for a rainy day, discover some of the rich heritage and culture of the Dales but if you prefer, there’s lots to see when the weather is disappointing:

• Swaledale Museum, Reeth
• Richmondshire Museum, Richmond
• The Green Howards Museum, Richmond
• The Georgian Theatre Tour, Richmond
• The Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes
• The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

Towns & villages

Make Cambridge House your ideal base from which to explore the towns and villages of the Northern Dales. From small villages built when lead mining was the main industry to the elegant Georgian market town of Richmond, there is variety and much to explore.

Reeth: Situated at the confluence of the River Swale and Arkle Beck, is a pretty village with a central village green surrounded by shops, cafes, pubs and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre. Fans of James Herriot and ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ will recognise scenes filmed in Reeth and on the surrounding moors.

Richmond: Is one of Britain’s most beautiful market towns. Its 11th century castle, fine historic buildings, large cobbled market place, waterfalls, and many hidden corners, make it a treasure trove for visitors.

Gunnerside, Muker and Keld, Upper Swaledale: Discover wildflowers, waterfalls and walks; Swaledale Woollens and art galleries can be found in Muker.

Leyburn: A traditional Yorkshire Dales market town, 9 miles from Reeth with small independent shops and a Friday market. Tennants Auctions are based in Leyburn and are well worth a visit on an auction day.

Hawes: A busy market town 14 miles from Reeth; popular with visitors with small independent shops and a Tuesday market. It’s famous as the home of Wensleydale Creameries and Wensleydale cheese.

Barnard Castle: Well worth a visit and only 14 miles from Cambridge House. Just saunter around the town where you’ll find small, independent shops; several English Heritage ‘Blue Plaques’ and The Bowes Museum, not to mention the castle itself.

Film and TV

Swaledale is well known as the home of ‘On our Yorkshire Farm’ and where Amanda Owen lives. A drive along Swaledale takes you through breath taking scenery to the Upper Dale. See our Blog page or ask us and we can recommend a scenic route.

Reeth and the surrounding moors was the location of the BBC TV’s and the film of James Herriot’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. You can drive through the ‘watersplash’ or over the little bridge used in the opening sequence.