The green Yorkshire Dales

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July 27th 2012

Published: June 22nd 2017

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Tizwoz

Our mill house

Mill House, West Burton

Geo: 54.2759, -1.97506

I had spent many happy times camping in the Dales in my youth and subsequently we had taken the kids usually over a New Year with friends to a rented cottage. This time we rented an apartment in a converted mill by a stream in West Burton, a very picturesque village situated halfway between Leyburn and Hawes. The apartment comprised of one double and two twin bedrooms and a large lounge/dining kitchen. It was very well provided with everything we would need though we had taken our own provisions for self catering. The most delightful surprise was to enter the apartment up a short flight of steps and then have a view overlooking the river from 3 floors up at the rear of the property. Also, only 2 minutes walk away was a little waterfall which attracted several walkers. Not wanting to cook on the first night we tried out the food in the Fox and Hounds in the centre of the village. There was plenty of it, cheerfully served but it was bog standard pub food so we didnt return except to have a drink and play dominoes. In fact the Dales is not noted for giving you

Inside the apartment

mill house apt, west burton

a culinary experience and most pubs seemed to serve the same sort of stuff e.g prawn cocktails and fish and chips. On our last night we did discover the Wensleydale Heifer in West Witton, which served superb sea food but was pricey.
We had come prepared for bad weather and brought the wellies. barbours and rain hats, but in the end these weren't needed and we were lucky to get a fair bit of sun and partly cloudy days. We reprised all our old haunts such as Askrigg Falls, Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force as well as other walks along the river and across fields. We managed to avoid the steep over hill and dale walks we did in our youth! Cultural visits included a trip to both Bolton and Richmond Castles and there was a fun trip to a 40's market in Leyburn and teapot buying in the local factory. We didnt have time to go to the Tennants auction in Leyburn but these are worth attending for bargains in anything.
This was a relaxing holiday (watching the Olympics on TV) but also one which gave us plenty of fresh air and exercise. Lying in bed listening to the river

view from the back window

view from apt back window

rushing by was an added bonus. The Dales had never looked so green, probably because of all the rain we have had this summer, but also all the houses and gardens looked well cared for, not what I was expecting in a time of depression. Yorkshire stone houses and walls still look magnificent I am pleased to say, but having been born in God's county I am a little biased!

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