Stories of the past

The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors are full of history and intriguing stories of the past. Whether it's the way the landscape has been formed, fascinating buildings, craftspeople or the way our history influences how we live today, it's rewarding to discover these tales to understand and appreciate beautiful North Yorkshire even more. 

Here are some of our favourites. 

150 years of the Mouseman
Where have you found 'Mouseman' wooden mice carved into half-hidden places? I’ve created a map of places in North Yorkshire to find the mice, to cel…Read more
Lofthouse
I thought it was a quite recent thing to tell everyone to drink plenty of water so was interested to spot this in the tiny hamlet of Lofthouse. I'm …Read more
6000 years of sheep: influencing our language and law
Records show that wool was bought and sold in Babylon as early as 4000 BC. Babylon actually means “land of…Read more
Mysteries of the Knights Templar
Heard of the powerful & mysterious Knights Templar? Between Swinithwaite & Aysgarth on the A684 is a little known site, whic…Read more
Nine Standards Rigg
Your theories on this curious landmark? It's Nine Standards Rigg, an odd and distinctive landmark overlooking Kirkby Stephen on the edge of…Read more
Village greens - at the heart of quintessential Dales' villages
When I say 'village green', does a children's fairy story picture-book image pop into your head? Perhaps you have a favourite village green somewher…Read more
An unusual thatched barn in the Yorkshire Dales
What has a thatched barn got to do with a reservoir? If you wander along the path fringing Grimwith (pronounced Grim’ath) Reservoir, you’ll come to …Read more
Old drovers routes
Walk along a green lane in the Yorkshire Dales and tread in the footsteps of Romans, drovers and ancient traders. Read more
Ghostly goings-on in the Yorkshire Dales
How do you feel about ghosts and shadows of the past? Have you heard of witches' marks or apotropaic marks? We didn't realise it when we bought our …Read more