News Beat
Reeth, Yorkshire Dales is ‘picture perfect’ for visitors
Reeth, located in upper Swaledale around 11 miles west of Richmond, has long been known to walkers and cyclists, but in recent years it has gained wider attention from visitors drawn by its scenery, sense of calm and traditional village life that still centres on the green.
The large triangular village green remains the focal point of Reeth, bordered by stone-built pubs, cafés and small independent shops, and backed by sweeping views across Swaledale.
Visitors frequently describe it as “the perfect Dales village”, praising the way everyday life still plays out in public, with people chatting on benches, walkers stopping for refreshments and cyclists resting between routes.
Despite its peaceful feel, Reeth is rarely described as sleepy.
Walkers following routes through Swaledale and Arkengarthdale regularly pass through the village, including those tackling Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast path.
“It’s peaceful and scenic, but there’s still a buzz around the green,” one visitor said on a TripAdvisor review.
“It’s a great base for walking, or just sitting and watching the world go by.”
That quiet charm sits on top of a much more industrial past.
Reeth was once a centre of the lead-mining industry that shaped Swaledale for centuries, leaving its mark on the surrounding hills and communities.
That history is preserved at the Swaledale Museum, run by volunteers just behind the village post office, where visitors can explore how mining, farming and crafts sustained life in the Dales for generations.
More recently, Reeth has found a new audience online.
Social media posts showing drone footage of the green, panoramic views across the dale and cycling routes through the surrounding hills have helped raise its profile beyond traditional guidebooks.
Visitors regularly describe it as “the Dales at their best”, praising the fact that it still feels largely unspoilt, with many people drawn to it because of Instagram and Facebook posts.
However, it still gets plenty of visitors who are passing through and those who don’t have to look at a smartphone because they’ve already discovered Reeth.
Events such as the annual Reeth Show and the Swaledale Festival continue to bring locals and visitors together, while the village’s pubs, bakeries and cafés ensure it remains busy throughout the year.
Just down the hill, the neighbouring village of Grinton and its historic St. Andrew’s Church, known as the ‘Cathedral of the Dales’, add another layer to the area’s character.
For many visitors, the reason Reeth stands out is simple.
“It’s the kind of place you end up staying longer than planned,” one tourist said on TripAdvisor.
“There’s great walking, good food and a proper Yorkshire welcome.”
Another added: “Reeth doesn’t need to change, that’s why people love it. That old-fashioned Dales feel is getting harder to find.”
