Things to do in May in Swaledale
What is on in Swaledale in May?
Well it looks like this May is going to be a write off for visitors but we have to do what we can to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus. Hopefully we will be able to open up in a safe way in June but we will see what happens and what is required.
So in the meantime and looking forward to a hopefully fully open Yorkshire Dales in May 2021 here are some of the best things to do in May in and around Swaledale. Next year there will be so much to do and see but in the meantime these ideas will get you thinking about what to do when you do visit!
Watch the lambs in the fields
While lambing season can start as early as November in some parts of the country it is usually a bit later than that in Swaledale and North Yorkshire. Lambs start appearing in March and can continue for a few weeks into May.
So have a look in the fields as the lambs are typically out with their Yow mother and they are just great to listen to and watch them as they gambol about full of the joys of spring. If that sounds a little poetic just watch them. They really do gambol!
Please do keep your dogs under control and ideally on a lead anywhere near the sheep at this time of year as they can easily abort if stressed.
As you can see from this photo taken a few years ago I was a fair distance away to gibe the Yow and lamb their own space and not feel threatened.
Swale Trail Bike Ride or Walk
At Swale View we are well positioned to get easy access to the Swale Trail at roughly the mid way point, the trail which notionally runs from Reeth to Keld and can be used by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and sometimes by motorbikes, but not that often.
It is a very family friendly with generally easy climbs, good condition tracks and roads, but there are occasional places particularly when it is wet that can be challenging.
The photo alongside this shows the section of the trail between Crackpot and Gunnerside and is indicative of the surface you will find. Can’t always promise the very quacky ducks and ducklings we had on this day!
A very good guide is available here from the YDNP.
Waterfalls Walks
There are of course many famous waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales such as Aysgarth Falls, Hardraw Force, Aysgill Force, Kidson Force and Janets Foss.
But locally to Swale View and ‘easy’ reach with a bike ride or a very short car journey there are a few worth looking at.
There is a nice walk from Muker that takes in the four waterfalls in and around Keld of Catrake Force, East Gill Force, Kidson Force and Wain Wath Force.
While all are relatively easy to find on the map access can be a bit tricky so read the information in the links above! You will be fine but just take care!
Link to map here.
Image courtesy of myyorkshiredales.co.uk
So there you have a few ideas for what to do in Swalehttp://myyorkshiredales.co.uk/dale in May. Hopefully in 2021 there will be a lot more open so in the meantime use this guide as a way to think about what you can be doing when we are all finally open!