Richmond, Mukka Meadows and The Buttertubs

On the way to our holiday cottage in Marrick, we stopped at Richmond where we visited the castle and toured the town before doing some shopping. Richmond Castle is the best-preserved example of an early Norman castle in England apparently. Probably begun in the 1070s by Alan Rufus, who had fought at the Battle of Hastings, it was expanded in the 12th century by his great-nephew Conan, who built the keep. By 1540 the castle was derelict, but it later became a popular tourist destination. During the First World War it was used as a prison for conscientious objectors, including the Richmond Sixteen.

Who? - The Richmond Sixteen were a group of "absolutist" British conscientious objectors during the First World War. Conscripted into the British Army in 1916, they refused to undertake even non-combatant military duties. Brought together at Richmond Castle, Yorkshire, most not knowing each other previously, they were transported to France, where they were court-martialled and formally sentenced to be executed by firing squad, but this sentence was immediately commuted to ten years' penal servitude. They were released in 1919.

The view down toward the river from the castle

Looking from the castle toward the town of Richmond

Arriving in Marrick, we found the cottage easily enough, although it was off the beaten track. It was very cosy. This being the view across the garden to the Dales beyond.

Loved these walls just down the road from the cottage.

The washing has to go somewhere to dry! Not ours, I would add.

So, one of the first places we planned to visit was the famous Muker Meadows, which we visited twice in fact, on Sunday, and again on Thursday. 

These meadows are very famous with people coming many miles to see them - well deserved too.

Great sign on a wall near the village pub!

What about this for a narrow bridge?

The Tan Hill Inn is the highest inn in the British Isles at 1,732 feet (528 m) above sea level.

The building dates to the 17th century, and during the 18th century was used as a hostelry by workers digging coal pits, which is reflected in its earlier name, The Kings Pit. It is unusual for its isolation, but it was previously surrounded by miners' cottages. After the closure of the last mine in 1929, and demolition of the associated cottages in the early 1930s, the pub remained open due to the patronage of local farmers and the development of the motor car.

From 1974, boundary changes moved it into County Durham, but this was reviewed in 1987 after much protest, and it reverted to within the Yorkshire boundary. In 1995, the Tan Hill Inn became the first public house in the UK to be granted a licence to hold weddings and civil ceremonies, after new laws were established to allow couples to marry in places other than churches or register offices.

A pretty Dales village nestled in the countryside.

The Dales are certainly a beautiful part of the world. Stone walls and rolling countryside with little villages dotted here and there.

Another place which took our fancy was the Buttertubs which have been formed by water continually running over the rocks. Onto Hawes and a quick visit to the Wensleydale cheese experience. (We will go back here to do the full tour). 

The Buttertubs are a group of fluted limestone potholes, just off the roadside near the summit of the Buttertubs Pass. Why are they called that?

One theory holds that the Buttertubs were so named because travellers over the pass used to lower butter churns down them to keep produce cool while travelling to market, though it is possible that the fluted potholes were just called Buttertubs because they simply look like - er - buttertubs.. 

A stop at Aysgarth Falls proved a bit disappointing as there was very little water flowing through. However, a pleasant place to stop for a while.

Another quaint place we stopped at was Grassington (above) - I loved the cobbled streets!

While wandering the streets we came across this sand sculpture, which I believe was to be part of a competition. Pretty amazing I thought.

View across the beautiful Dales

The oldest sweet shop or candy store in the world. It is the aptly named "Oldest Sweet Shop in England", situated in Pateley Bridge in Yorkshire, UK. It first opened its doors in 1827 and has sold sweets continuously right up to the present day. It also occupies a building dating back to 1661. And yes, that is Rosey - but no sweets!

Foster Back Water Mill. 

Near by, we came across this distinctive water wheel, previously Foster Beck Water Mill. Now disused, it was an old water mill. Once housing a popular pub and nightclub, the old hemp mill has now been converted in to a residential development.

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