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Wensleydale is a glacial valley carved out of the North Yorkshire Dales several thousand years ago. It is now the last vestige of villages where people know each other and local butchers. Hear more about the waterfalls, hills and village life here.

Last night I heard the BBC weather warning about lots of snow. However, it was only for Scotland, so I went on the jolly BBC website and typed in my location. Apparently sleet showers and then lots of sunshine this afternoon. Well, I woke up this morning to complete whiteout. There was a tree bough [...]

We did a great walk yesterday around Semerwater. We went from Countersett to Stalling Busk Old Church, over to Marsett and up the hill for a brilliant view over Wensleydale, Raydaleside and Bishopdale. The weather held and we had a look round the Old Church, where sheep lay around in the ancient graveyard and the [...]

We finally have some footage of the rarely seen “Burning of Bartle” – an annual event in West Witton, Yorkshire Dales National Park. A centuries old poem is recited which recounts the downfall of Bartle. Men carry an effigy through the village reciting this poem and knocking on doors in the hope of a dram [...]

Countryfile recently had their 20th anniversary and took the opportunity to appreciate the stewardship of the upper moorlands provided by grouse gamekeepers. The money provided by game shooting during the season generates enough income to pay for heather burning and management of the birds. Most of the endangered peat and heather hilltops would be covered [...]

So yesterday I was playing squash and I in my shandy drinking way was chatting next to the bar after the game. The subject of what I do for a living was brought up and skillfully avoided, but it did lead the conversation on to why the Leyburn Leisure Club (where I had been playing [...]

Wednesday 11th June was the annual North Riding Dales LVA Charity Bike Ride through Wensleydale which took place in characteristic spirit. The idea is to cycle between Leyburn and Hawes in order to raise money for good causes. The participants cycle updale and downdale on alternate years. This year was the more difficult uphill struggle [...]

Living in Wensleydale we see a lot of sheep. Behind our house there are some very tame texels meaning that we can get some fairly decent close-ups. The little lambs are taking it easy these days – the sheep equivalent of teenagers. Lazing around in the balmy sunshine – a welcome break after their introduction [...]

Hardraw waterfall is the tallest single drop, above ground, waterfall in England. It is also the waterfall under which Kevin Costner’s bum double swam in front of Maid Marion in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The naked swim scene is famed for being the moment when Maid Marion first sees her future husband. The waterfall [...]

Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale were the setting for this (poorly recorded) fight scene between Little John and Robin Hood in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Visitors beware, the car park charges £2.20 for a visit but if you’re wily you can park in the village and walk down. There’s a visitor centre, toilets and a [...]

Whilst visiting Hardraw Waterfall behind the Green Dragon pub in Upper Wensleydale, we spotted some tawny owl chicks. I had whistled in an attempt to startle some sitting rabbits in a field nearby, because my little cousin couldn’t quite see them. However, the loud noise had the inadvertent effect of startling two adult tawny owls [...]