Reconnecting with Nature - private guided Discovery Walk

Enjoy a full exploration of fascinating and beautiful Gunnerside Gill in Swaledale. As well as immersing yourself in the tranquil Yorkshire Dales landscape, we will be looking at the surviving lead mining remains and getting a feel for how different this area must have been 200 years ago when it was bustling with people and machinery.
We will look at how nature has slowly been reclaiming the landscape over the last couple of centuries, as well as future plans for nature recovery in the area. We will also consider our own interaction with nature and how the landscape we enjoy today is inextricably linked with human actions, both past and present.
End your day with a visit to a 200 year old working smithy and a drink in the local pub, both of which were serving villagers when the mining industry was in full swing and continue to do so today!

Itinerary

The day starts gently, strolling along the banks of Gunnerside Beck, before gaining some height and starting to explore the fascinating mining remains of the area. By lunchtime, we reach the best preserved remains at Blakethwaite Smelt Mill and refuel with a picnic of local produce in an idyllic location, where we can dip our feet in the beck to cool off!
The return journey takes a higher path through areas still scarred by former industry and then through traditional Yorkshire Dales farming landscape, with fantastic views along Swaledale, which provides an insight into the way the landscape has developed and is used today.
On returning to Gunnerside, we visit the Old Working Smithy, a fascinating 'living museum' where the same family has been servicing the community since the height of the mining industry, before relaxing with a drink in the traditional village inn.
National Park Experiences is a curated collection that brings the stories of our National Parks to life. Each experience offers an authentic insight into the landscape and special qualities of a National Park.
Length: 7.5 miles
Ascent: 635m
Duration: 6.5 hours
Terrain: A reasonably long and uphill walk but paths are clear and easy underfoot. You will cover a steep sided gill, open moorland and ancient tracks.
 
Inclusions
What's Included
🍴 Food - A full picnic lunch of local produce
🥤 Drink - A well-earned drink in the village pub at the end of the day!
📋 Other - A visit to the Old Working Smithy in Gunnerside
 
What you'll need
🧤 Warm Clothing - We'll let you know the best things to wear (and what to leave at home!) when you book.
☂️ Waterproofs - We hope for good weather but always best to be prepared!
🥤 Drink - Make sure you bring along some water for the day.