Local Area

Walks

There are some lovely walks from the village to Castle Bolton, Aysgarth Falls, and Wensley or simply down to the river. Maps and suggested walks are in the folders on the top shelf of the top cupboard to the left of the hob. There are also books in the lounge.

Food & Drink

There are plenty of excellent pubs to choose from during/after a nice walk. Here are a few of our favourites:

Pubs:

  • Redmire Village Pub (Redmire) – Recently relaunched (was the Bolton Arms) and the new owners are focusing on good food with local provenance and a warm welcome whether for a drink or food. (01969 629 297).
  • Wensleydale Heifer (West Witton) – Gastro pub and boutique hotel specialising in seafood but offering a wide menu, grill and tapas options. Great with children (colouring in and activity bag provided) and dog friendly in the bar area and snug.  Quite pricey but lovely for a special occasion. (01969 622322).
  • Wheatsheaf (Carperby) – perfect stop off on the walk to/from Aysgarth for a drink and a sandwich, fabulous scampi & chips! Dog friendly in the bar area (01969 663216).
  • Aysgarth Falls Hotel (Aysgarth) – The last time we went it had a good menu with some lighter and healthier bites available; dog friendly in the bar area (01969 663775). It may well have changed recently so check the menu.
  • Blue Lion (East Witton) – Gastropub with stone flags, roaring fire and often frequented by shooting parties; quite pricey but superb food. Dog friendly in the small bar area (01969 624273).

Cafes:

  • Tennants GardenRooms (Leyburn) – Lovely café which is reasonably priced. Always busy so booking is recommended, The Bistro is also excellent. Both are within the fabulous auction building.
  • Mill Race Teashop (Aysgarth Falls) – Lovely tea room with great cakes next to Aysgarth Falls. Take-out coffee available.
  • Posthorn Tea Room and Café (Leyburn) – Nice cup of tea! Can’t comment on food but it’s always busy.
  • Fairhursts at Berry’s (Swinithwaite) – Farm shop and café which is often busy; good range of sandwiches and cakes.

Ice Cream:

  • Wensleydale Ice Cream (Thornton Rust) – recently opened ice cream parlour and café on the A684 towards Hawes. Delicious Ice Cream with tubs to take away.
  • Brymor Dairy (Jervaulx) – Cafe with a playground, play barn and outdoor seating. Busy in summer with families but worth stopping in; especially after a wander around nearby Jervaulx Abbey.
  • Reeth Ice Cream Parlour – Lovely place to get an ice cream and chill on the benches or green nearby with lovely views over Reeth and Swaledale.

Shopping

Leyburn is the closest place for shops, banks, petrol etc. The post office is in the Co-Op which is great for general grocery shopping. However, Campbell’s is a fantastic family run grocery store which has an excellent deli and butchers counter in addition to a huge selection of wine and spirits upstairs. You are guaranteed to buy more than what you went in for!!

House and Home in the market place sells coal and logs in addition to homewares and gifts. You can also purchase logs at the Mole Stores, the petrol station and the coop.

There is a large Tesco, Lidl and Aldi in Catterick Garrison as well as a retail park with a Cinema, Boots, Next, B&M, Pets at Home and Cotswold outdoor shop.

Hawes is great for some touristy shops, pubs, traditional dales cafes and a fabulous old traditional sweet shop!

Attractions

  • Bolton Castle (Castle Bolton) – Medieval castle with archery, falconry and other activities to keep kids and adults entertained. No dogs allowed.
  • Forbidden Corner (Middleham) – an absolute must for children aged 5+. Labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created in a 4-acre garden. Pre-booking is required. No dogs allowed. The café is well priced and serves good food.
  • Aysgarth Falls (Aysgarth) – Lovely short walk through the upper, middle and lower falls. Parking is available at the visitor centre.
  • Leyburn Shawl & park – Excellent children’s playground with a zip wire and football pitch on Leyburn Shawl with fantastic views over Wensleydale. Leyburn shawl is a limestone escarpment; reputedly where Mary Queen of Scots dropped her shawl when escaping from being incarcerated at Bolton Castle. Best of all it is free!     
  • Thorp Perrow Arboretum (Bedale – approx. ½ hour from Redmire) – Amazing arboretum with a playground, birds of prey, mammal centre and a super café.
  • Jervaulx Abbey and Brymoor Ice Cream, Farm Shop & Café (Jervaulx nr.Masham) – Ice cream parlour with play area, café and farm shop. Great place to stop after a walk around the nearby Jervaulx Abbey. No dogs allowed inside.
  • Wensleydale Creamery (Hawes – approximately ½ hour from Redmire) – Interactive experience at the home of Wensleydale cheese-making, colouring, kits and puzzles for kids, deriving children’s milk tanker. No dogs allowed.
  • Hardraw Falls (Hawes – approximately ½ hour from Redmire) – England’s highest single drop waterfall, featured in the Robin Hood film; accessed via the Green Dragon pub in Hardraw.
  • Black Sheep Brewery (Masham) – Brewery tours and pub
  • Catterick Leisure Centre – Excellent swimming pools and gym complex opposite Tesco’s.

Fitness

  • Yourfitnessneeds (Leyburn) – Small Gym in a unit in Leyburn, Pay as you go option available.
  • Cycling – Follow the original Tour de France route or more recent Tour de Yorkshire sections.

Further afield – Welcome to Yorkshire

  • Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park (Grewelthorpe; about 45 minutes from Redmire) – Stunning gardens with fantastic sculptures hidden in the trees. Well worth the off-track journey to get there!
  • Newby Hall (Ripon, approx. 1 hour from Redmire) – Wonderful hall, gardens, adventure playground, boat ride and miniature train.
  • Lightwater Valley (Ripon) – Theme park with a variety of rides and attractions.