A weekend in Reeth

A village around a big green, the capital of Swaledale

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Reeth is a small village built around a large sloping green in the heart of Swaledale, the northernmost and arguably the wildest of the Yorkshire Dales. Stone houses, pubs and a museum surround the green, and the lanes and footpaths lead out to meadows, barns and old lead mines.

It is very quiet and remote, with dark skies, hardy Swaledale sheep and few crowds, and it makes a peaceful base for walking.

Best forWalkers, History lovers, Dog owners, Families

Best time to goSpring to autumn. Heather blooms in late summer, and the Swaledale scenery is wonderful in any season.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£320–£560, excluding travel

Getting thereLeeds: About 1 hour 45 minutes by car.

Check prices for a weekend in Reeth

Plan your weekend in Reeth

Top attractions in Reeth

The village green

A large green surrounded by stone buildings, pubs and a few shops.

The Swaledale Museum

A small museum on lead mining and local life, on the green.

The Swale riverside

Easy walks beside the river and through hay meadows.

Gunnerside and Muker

Pretty villages up the dale, with old barns and meadows.

Lead mining remains

Old mines and spoil heaps on the moors, with waymarked trails.

Best things to do in Reeth

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Malham Cove and Gordale Scar walk

A circular walk from Malham village takes in Malham Cove, an 80-metre limestone cliff with a clints-and-grikes pavement on top, and Gordale Scar, a dramatic gorge with a waterfall. Allow 3 to 4 hours.

Settle to Carlisle railway

The Settle to Carlisle line is one of England's most scenic railway journeys, crossing the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley over 73 miles. Allow about 1.5 hours one way.

Ingleborough walk

Ingleborough, at 723 metres, is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a distinctive flat-topped mountain with a Iron Age hillfort on its summit. Allow 4 to 6 hours.

Best areas to stay in Reeth

Reeth village

Central, with pubs and guesthouses.

Grinton

A quiet village just across the river.

Gunnerside or Muker

Remote places further up the dale.

Best hotels in Reeth

Prices for a double room in Reeth typically fall around £90–£150 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Reeth

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. For dog-friendly or quiet stays, use the pet and review filters. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Reeth

Spring to autumn. Heather blooms in late summer, and the Swaledale scenery is wonderful in any season.

Seasons that suit Reeth well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Reeth

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£90–£150
Food and drink, per day for two	£55–£85
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£320–£560

Mid-range destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Reeth

From Leeds: About 1 hour 45 minutes by car.
From Newcastle: About 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
From Richmond: About 25 minutes by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Reeth

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in Reeth village.
Saturday: Start with The village green, then The Swaledale Museum. In the afternoon, head to The Swale riverside.
Sunday: Visit Gunnerside and Muker or Lead mining remains, then head home.

Packing list for Reeth

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Walking gear Wet-weather gear Dog travel gear

Good to know

There is no railway, and public transport is limited.
Mobile signal can be poor in the dale.
Roads are narrow, so drive carefully.

Reeth weekend FAQs

Is Reeth worth visiting?

Yes, for walking and quiet, remote scenery. It is one of the loveliest parts of the Dales.

Is it a good place to see the stars?

Yes. Swaledale has dark skies, and clear nights offer good views.

More weekend ideas

Yorkshire DalesNorth Yorkshire

Green valleys, limestone scars and drystone walls

Richmond (North Yorkshire)North Yorkshire

A Georgian market town beneath a Norman castle, at the door of Swaledale

HawesNorth Yorkshire

The home of Wensleydale cheese, in the heart of the Dales

GrassingtonNorth Yorkshire

A cobbled Dales village with waterfalls on the River Wharfe

Explore more: Best weekend breaks from Manchester and the North West · Best weekend breaks in Yorkshire and the North East · Best dog-friendly weekend breaks in the UK · Best romantic weekend breaks in the UK

Browse popular weekend activities or use the BritBreaks finder to match a weekend to your budget and travel time.

Last reviewed October 2026. Please check opening times and prices with each attraction before you go. Report an error or share a tip.