Hillcrest Cottage

04/06/2026

The perfect ‘wet day’ destination and only a 5 minute drive from Hillcrest Cottage. By the time you’ve had a browse the sun could be out which will call for an ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlour on the opposite side of the green. Then if it’s still dry have a wander around the community garden which is only a few strides from the ice cream parlour. If not have a look around Fleece, a crafters co-operative, which is packed with beautiful creations by local crafters. And for lunch or coffee, drive or walk down to the Dales Bike Centre. Lovely homemade food and wait till you see their collection of cakes! So that’s your wet or dry day sorted and you’ve only travelled a few miles from the cottage. Oh, and I didn’t mention the walks you can do from Reeth, did I? Details are in the digital welcome guide that you received. Have a great day.

27/05/2026

Hazel Brow Farm Visitor Centre is close by Hillcrest Cottage. What will be happening when you are staying at Hilcrest?

24/05/2026

garden

24/05/2026

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Hillcrest’s garden looking so beautiful. Vibrant with colour, full of bird chatter and home to our usual swallows who are busy nest building.

22/05/2026

The Farmers Arms Pub, Muker is not far ‘up dale’. Muker is a ‘must place to visit’ when staying at Hillcrest Cottage. Beautiful walks & scenery, places to paddle and picnic and down by a pint!

Psssst... have you heard? The forecast for the upcoming bank holiday is looking absolutely glorious! ☀️😎

Whether you're planning a beautiful walk in the dale or just looking forward to relaxing with friends, we are ready to welcome you to the Farmers Arms to help you make the most of the sunshine.

Join us in sunny Muker to soak it all up while we pour the drinks. Who would you love to share a cold one with this weekend? Tag them below! 👇

14/05/2026

There are regular tractor runs in Swaledale so don’t be surprised if you see a train of tractors trundling along the road below the cottage. Usually on a Sunday.

Tractors. Work-horses ancient and modern, a focus for love, admiration, fundraising and gatherings. If tractors carried a list of the jobs they do on their rear, bad tempered motorists travelling behind them on narrow country lanes would feel very differently.

Is there any other vehicle that inspires such incredible love and loyalty as the humble tractor? Obviously much of this is due to the tractor's many essential roles in farming but it feels like more than just that.

Toddlers can go into raptures of joy just to spot a tractor toy, and are beside themselves when they see the real thing. For some that attraction never goes away. Look at the line up of tractors at one of our Dales country shows, and you'll see the pride and love for even (or maybe especially?) the oldest, most basic models, They've been fettled and polished, absorbing countless hours of care.

Tractor runs attract many farmers and hundreds of spectators, raising essential funds and providing a lovely social focus and gathering. The Black Sheep Brewery Tractor Run takes place on 24th May in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. There's another chance to see more tractors at the Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally.

Tractor Fest takes place at Newby Hall & Gardens on 6th and 7th June.

20/04/2026

There are many ‘firsts’ at this time of year. First lambs, first swallow, first Mayflower, first primrose but I think the first sighting of the tiny violet takes some beating. What is YOUR favourite ‘first’? Please let me know.

17/04/2026

📣 WE ARE OPEN AS USUAL - PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD! 📣

You may have heard about the roadworks in place which seemingly cut off The CB Inn from both directions during the day. However, we are still accessible and open as usual over the weekend. PLEASE IGNORE the road closure signs which suggest we are closed/inaccessible.

🚗 If you are travelling from the Barnard Castle area please use the C166 over the Stang.

🚗 If you are travelling from Cumbria please use the C29 via Tan Hill.

🚗 If you are travelling from Richmond please travel through Reeth and straight to Arkengarthdale, where a traffic light system will take you through the road works and to our door. Or, continue to Low Row and then turn right at The Punch Bowl Inn travelling over the moors via Surrender Mill into Arkengarthdale.

We would love to see all of your friendly faces this weekend, so don’t let the roadworks stop you! 😊

15/04/2026

Lots of great reviews coming through for Karen’s book, Coast to Coast and Halfway Between. I knew there would be. It’s a fab read. Creates a myriad of emotions from laughs & giggles to head shaking moments! Can thoroughly recommend.

So it's a couple of weeks on from the launch of my book and I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you! 😍 If I'm honest I have been totally overwhelmed by how many people have actually purchased it!

And now the feedback and reviews are starting to come through - you seem to have really enjoyed reading it, and what an absolute relief that is!

I've thoroughly loved reading your very kind comments and I'm delighted it's brought such joy. 🙂

Thank you so much

Karen x

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GS2YN6YF

14/04/2026

Hillcrest guests please read this advice If you’d like to visit the CB Inn or the Red Lion at Langthwaite take the road up the side of the Punchbowl Inn follow the moor road up & down dale, over the famous All Creatures Great & Small watersplash and you will avoid the roadworks. Come back into Swaledale via The Tan Hill Inn and Keld. What a fabulous day out, roadworks or not!

Over the coming weeks there will be some highway maintenance work on the road from Reeth to Langthwaite.

This means there will be a road closure between the hours of 7.30am and 5pm, weekdays only. On-site personnel will assist in managing access to properties and businesses within the closure whilst the site is operational during the daytime. Outside of these hours there will be a temporary traffic light system.

WE ARE OPEN AS USUAL!

🚗 If you are travelling from the Barnard Castle area please use the C166 over the Stang.

🚗 If you are travelling from Cumbria please use the C29 via Tan Hill.

🚗 If you are travelling from Richmond please travel through Reeth to Low Row and then turn right at The Punch Bowl Inn travelling over the moors via Surrender Mill into Arkengarthdale.