Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd March 2026, Muker, Swaledale, Yorkshire Dales
Bronte Country moved north to the Yorkshire Dales in 2025
for the latest film version of Wuthering Heights. Footpaths
around the old lead mines near Gunnerside and the moors
around Arkengarthdale were closed to walkers, whilst
Australian actors like Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie
perfected their Yorkshire accents. It made quite a change
from James Herriot's 'All Creatures Great and Small' TV
series which ran for 7 years, and used Muker as a prime
location.
Crow Trees Bunkbarn is a recently converted traditional
stone built barn. It looks very plush with underfloor heating
on the ground floor and central heating elsewhere. There is a
well equipped kitchen and a comfy lounge with sofas. There
are 4 bedrooms with a total of 25 beds.The two bedded room
is on the ground floor. Upstairs there are rooms with 4, 5 and
14 beds respectively. We have already a full compliment of
folk staying, but there are two spare mattresses which can
be pulled out and used in case of 2 late bookers. Please
bring a sleeping bag
Upper Swaledale is well known by most people. The Coast to
Coast Walk passes through the area. Kisdon Force, Shunner
Fell, Gunnerside Gill and the Tan Hill Inn are also very
familiar, but for those who appreciate some excitement then
read on. High above on the east side of the valley there is a
narrow and little used path which starts from the old
Swinner Gill lead mines and finishes at Ivelet in the valley
bottom. It is like an Alpine panorama way. The path,
indistinct in places, contours across the slope, rising and
fallng at times but eventually fading out on grassy pastures.
It is narrow, has a sense of exposure and affords superb
views all the way.
There is no need to bring breakfast food this weekend.
Following on from Zoe's last fund raising exercise when she
provided pork medallions for the bacon butties Zander has
decided to do a similar thing to provide extra dosh for his
Local Scouts. Not only will he be cooking the breakfast
(perhaps with his mum's help), but willalso bring along his
very own homemade marmalade for the toast. I am hoping
that the pricing structure will be competitive.
Community owned pubs in rural areas are unfortunately
becoming too commonplace. An early one was the George
and Dragon, Hudswell near Richmond, which managed to
win CAMRA's National Pub of the Year Award in 2016. Then
along came the King's Head, Gunnerside, which has also
seen a marked improvement.Finally, to complete the
Swaledale Trio is the Farmer's Arms, Muker. Apparently,
locals had a torrid time with the previous owners, as the pub
was often closed. It looks small from the outside, but has
surprisingly a lot of tables. When I popped in last year to
chat to the landlord, he seemed very unfazed about 20+
peopledropping in for food on Saturday evening all at once.
But, I will double check nearer the time, just in case there is
a new face in charge. There is a side room on theleft with
one long table where most people could sit, eat and drink.
The good news is that the pub is only 20 mins walk from
Crow Trees. The bad news is that thereturn is back up the
hill. Bring a torch as it will be pitch black in deepest
Yorkshire.
Crow Trees is very easy to find. It is located just over halfway
on the B6270 between Gunnerside and Muker, at the
junction with the minor road crossing over the moors from
Askrigg in Wensleydale. It is a traditional stone barn near the
road, with a much larger modern farm building behind it.
There is a nice big Crow Trees sign on the road side.
Friday 19th - Sunday 21st June 2026, Cwmtaff, Brecon Beacons
More info to come soon
Friday 16th - Sunday 18th October 2026, Brent Eleigh, Suffolk
More info to come soon