Kettlewell for a Special Cottage Holiday in the Dales: We have a selection of lovely cottages in Kettlewell and the Yorkshire Dales to rent for self-catering holidays and weekend breaks. The village of Kettlewell is in a pretty part of North Yorkshire called Upper Wharfedale, an area populated by walkers, backpackers and cyclists in the summer months. This is excellent walking country.
About Cottage Breaks in Kettlewell
Various walks can be followed in the area, but the logical one to start with is the walk around Kettlewell. To do this walk and really get to know the village, there is a book on the walk available to buy in the village shops which will guide you on the route. This book tells the history of the village, aided by many photographs. Going on this walk gives an insight into how the houses, shops, inns and places of work evolved over the years. You will see the maypole and the war memorial plus various buildings dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Other recommended walks include a walk to Arncliffe, Great Whernside and Dowber Gill and Hag Dike. You can also follow the Calendar Girls Trail, as Kettlewell was used as a location in the film, standing in for ‘Knapely’.
Whilst taking a cottage break here it’s recommended you visit St Mary’s Church. The site for St. Mary’s Church evolved over the years, beginning with a Norman structure in the 12th century that was subsequently taken down, with another church replacing it in 1820. In 1883, that too was taken down, apart from its tower, leaving the church we see today.
Villagers and visitors alike enjoy the Annual Scarecrow Festival, a fun gathering that raises funds for the village school, St. Mary’s Church and the village hall. Run over nine days in August, thousands of people come to participate and see the scarecrows dressed up in all sorts of costumes. Every available open space in the village is a potential site for some inventive scarecrow making and ‘decoration’. The village hall and the tea rooms in the village serve up homemade baking treats. Everyone, young and old, is invited to follow the themed Scarecrow Trail. Prizes are up for grabs for those that locate designated scarecrows and solve various riddles. Some of these scarecrows are ingeniously ‘hidden’ from view.
Those taking a family self-catering break in Kettlewell may want to visit Ewedale Model Village, located in the basement of Kettlewell Village Store which is a lot of fun for all the family. This indoor village is based on the features found in the Dales. It’s not just for looking; you can press buttons and make things happen and see the buildings’ interiors. There is even a switch to the ‘village at night’. In addition, you are free to take part in a quiz.
For a short drive to another pretty village, Grassington is a popular day out. Besides its charming tea rooms, cafes and pubs, it has the Grassington Folk Museum. This museum’s collection of local history artefacts is sited in two miner’s cottages from the 18th century. Although a small village, it has a number of ambitious events, including the Grassington Festival, Dickensian Festival and 1940s Weekend.
There is plenty going on in the area and Kettlewell is a fine base for a holiday, however active or chilled out you want to be. Enjoy a comfortable cottage stay and discover why the Dales is so special. There are many more holiday cottages in the Yorkshire Dales and self-catering in Yorkshire ranging from one bedroom cottages up to large mansions for walking groups. Pet-friendly self-catering in the Yorkshire Dales is also available.
Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in Kettlewell, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in North Yorkshire.
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