Local Area
DISCOVER BUCKEN
A very short walk from the cottage will bring you into the heart of Buckden and a handful of local amenities, including the traditional country pub, The Buck Inn. Open daily during most of the year and serving excellent food at both lunch and dinnertime, it's a must after a day of exploration and adventure.
From the Village, there are a plethora of walking trails, with the idyllic circular loop passing through Rakes Wood to the peaceful hamlet of Cray, passing tumbling waterfalls and deep pools en-route, or walk alongside the river towards the village of Hubberholme where you can visit the local pub (The George) and the (mainly) 12th century built Church, both of which were favourite haunts of the great English novelist J. B. Priestley. The Church pews, choir stalls and chairs were made by Thompson of Kilburn, 'the mouseman', and the trademark carving of a mouse can be found in many places within the Church.
For those seeking a more challenging route, climb to the summit of Buckden Pike as it towers over 700 metres, offering panoramic views across the scenic landscape of North Yorkshire or investigate the ancient lead mines which abound in the area. There is also
a memorial to a Polish air crew whose bomber crash landed in thick fog during the war, sadly leading to the death of all but one of those aboard.
EXPLORE THE LOCAL AREA
From Buckden, venture towards the local village of Kettlewell, well-known for its annual scarecrow festival, where you have a choice of pubs as well as a well-stocked local store and cafés serving a variety of home-made traditional fare.
Travel slightly further afield and you'll arrive at the popular village of Grassington, recently made famous as the film set of the recent series of 'All Creatures Great and Small'. Here, you can immerse yourself in the fascinating local history at Grassington Folk Museum or savour fresh fish and chips with a scenic stroll along the banks of the River Wharfe.
NEAREST TOWN
Next stop is Skipton, where you can test your swing with a round of golf at the 18-hole course, explore the medieval dungeons of Skipton Castle, dating back to the 12th century, take a ride on the picturesque Leeds-Liverpool canal, or pick up a keepsake at Craven Court Shopping Centre, to remind you of your wonderful staycation .
Skipton is the nearest town with several sizeable supermarkets AND which holds a large market all along its High Street, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, whilst Hawes, in the opposite direction, is reached by a lovely route through Cray and over the fells. It has a weekly market every Tuesday and is not far
from Hardraw Force one of the series of spectacular waterfalls on the
valley. In addition, the market town of Leyburn holds its weekly market on a Friday and you can dwell in the nostalgia of days
gone by, when boarding a steam train at the local heritage railway.