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Curious

Highland Cattle
Everyone expects to see sheep in the Yorkshire Dales but seeing Highland cattle often takes people by surprise. When you come across folds (herds…Read more
Lychgates
Ever wondered why the path to many older churches has a little pitched roof porch? It's a 'lychgates', (old English word lych meaning 'corpse'). …Read more
Market Crosses
What simple, ancient symbol can you find in many Dales villages and market towns? Most of us walk past them without a second glance, yet they're …Read more
Miles and milestones
How far is a mile? A country mile? And who created milestones? The Romans gave us the mile, originating from mille passus or 1000 paces. Over tim…Read more
Old words
There are some lovely old words that might come in handy on a day like today: Snuzzle, snoodge, and snerdle all mean to snuggle…Read more
Polly Peachum’s Tower
A mysterious tower: was it a sign of love, a place for a solitary singer, or a hunting lodge? What do you think? Perched on the hill above West W…Read more
Sheep
Noticed how sheep seem to just wander about, straying on to the roads in the Yorkshire Dales? That many areas of the Dales don't have fences but …Read more
Meadows
What's the difference between a field and a meadow? Fields are fenced areas for livestock or arable use whereas traditional meadows contain a tap…Read more
Dr. Petty's Dead in Grassington
When you think of Grassington, you perhaps picture the lovely little lanes, wonderful local walks. And yet... it may be haunted by notorious blac…Read more