July 2025. Reeth.
Back from Edinburgh at that night Mrs RM somehow got an Uber to take us back to the Darlington car park that had been our room for four (4) nights in July, That’s longer than I spent at “home” in Sheffield; perhaps I’ll get a Durham Council Tax demand.
Two nights in a row in a campervan with makeshift commode (full details for Patronised readers) is OK, but I fancied a bit of comfort as we tackled the GBG pubs of North Yorkshire before heading down the A1.
So, after a truly historic bacon and sausage bap from W. Alderson of Cockerton for breakfast,
and cake (eek) and strong coffee at Sam Turner’s Garden Centre in Piercebridge. You remember Piercebridge ?
I’d almost forgotten Reeth, despite only visiting…oh, nearly nine years ago.
Not that it changes, it’s just that Reeth and Gunnerside and Muker and the Swaledale villages merge into each other.
It’s the one with dozens of gentlefolk cars parked on a huge lawn spoiling your view of the hills.
But let’s not quibble.
It’s a glorious July day, a day for ice cream in the sun,
and Old Peculier on the cobbles outside the Black Bull.
The chap opposite is telling his wife how glorious it all is, as if he’s never seen a hill or sat in the sun or drank a pint of Theakston before. I LOVE his enthusiasm.
I quite like the Black Bull, with its upside down sign,
and beers you’ve heard of,
and Proper Pub games.
It’s a less foodie pub than the Buck, and is competing with the just-reopened Kings Arms next door, and the many, many tea shops.
But in 2025, it’s the B & B trade, not the pints, that keep the pubs open.
retiredmartin 
And he’s right. It is glorious.
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He is right. And it’s so good to hear people being positive about life.
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B & b’s keep them open ? but they’ll all shut in the countryside in England when the new drink drive limit comes in.
If you have some sway on Camra or the likes why not investigate the actual facts on drink drivers from pubs compared to pissed people on cheap supermarket alcohol, and while I’m on how come Camara or the like don’t investigate how alcohol is so cheap in supermarkets compared to the 50ltr keg price paid by pubs ??
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Old folk are paying £100+ to stay in these nice Yorkshire hotels so they don’t need to worry about drink driving. And most folk visiting pubs for lunch are on cola or coffee.
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Yes it’s far from awful…
As for things lawful, might I remind those parking their cars on village greens, that under section twenty-nine of the 1876 Commons Act they have committed an offence?
This says than an encroachment on or inclosure of a town or village green, also any erection thereon or disturbance or interference with or occupation of the soil thereof which is made otherwise than with a view to the better enjoyment of such town or village green or recreation ground, shall be deemed to be a public nuisance, and if any person does any act in respect of which he is liable to pay damages or a penalty under section twelve of the Inclosure Act 1857, he may be summarily convicted thereof upon the information of any inhabitant of the parish in which such town or village green or recreation ground is situate, as well as upon the information of such persons as in the said section mentioned.
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Yes, I love Swaledale. I did a lovely walk down from The Tan Hill Inn to Muker with lunch at the Farmers Arms. Then over into Wensleydale with an evening in Askrigg.
The lead mines at Gunnerside are well worth a visit.
Robin
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Great walk if it’s not misty!
Thanks for the tip.
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