The Traddock

19/08/2026

If you've ever visited us at The Traddock you've probably been to some of these places? If you've not discovered them all, it's time to book a stay!

Ribblesdale is packed with the 'big names' of Yorkshire Dales attractions and activities. The River Ribble starts on the moor above Newby Head and flows on towards the Irish Sea. Many first-time visitors to the Yorkshire Dales come specially for the challenge of Yorkshire's Three Peaks - Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent. The long-distance routes of Pennine Way, Pennine Bridleway and Dales High Way all run through Ribblesdale. Ingleton is a popular base by the river and the waterfalls walk.

If you're looking for a walk where you'll barely see a soul, try Long Preston, Feizor and Crummackdale.

One of Ribbledales's most iconic landmarks is Ribbleshead Viaduct, an amazing feat of Victorian engineering. The 24 arches span a 440-yard stretch across Batty Moss, and were built by a team of over 2,300 men. The much-loved Settle-Carlisle Railway attracts many visitors who travel from around the world to enjoy the breath-taking journey on this famous route.

The river Ribble is a famous salmon river so if you're lucky in late October and November you might see the amazing display of Salmon leaping up Stainford Forth.

Many visitors will never see some of Ribblesdale's incredible sights - as they're hidden underground in an amazing network of cave systems. Some of these are accessible (with care - guides are recommended) and excavations have even found evidence of rhinos and elephants from over 130,000 years ago when the climate was much warmer. You can find out more at the panel by Victoria Cave or by visiting Ingleborough Cave. Gaping Gill, is one of the largest underground open chambers in the country and just one of the numerous potholes and cave systems to explore.

This area’s history is written in its landscape. You can find the remnants of walls dating from the pre-Roman era, old drovers’ lanes, dry-stone walls, sheep creeps, wash dubs, bee boles, packhorse bridges and lime kilns.

The Hoffman Kiln is a huge structure that many still manage to miss. Once you've discovered it, you'll be amazed!

17/08/2026

Feeling a bit Monday-meh? We've got an easy solution: book something to look forward to! It could be a lovely afternoon tea in our private garden, perfect as a pre-amble for a gentle local wander, or a longer stay in one of our luxurious rooms with the delicious indulgence of the latest tasting menu.

You'll feel buoyed up as soon as you've booked!

When are you coming and who will you treat?

15/08/2026

Do you recognise this spot, very close to the The Traddock? Taken on a misty day which makes the area look even more other-worldly. Have you visited? Would love to see your photos.

12/08/2026

We've got 5 great suggestions for places to relax in the shade, have a little paddle, enjoy a wafting breeze, and space to just be.

1. Austwick Beck is just a moment's walk from the hotel - gentle & calming

2. Go deep underground where the temperature is always a steady, cool 8 degrees at Ingleborough Cave

3. Find dappled cooling shade of beautiful Oxenber and Wharf Woods

4. Follow the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail woodland walk from Clapham through Clapdale Wood by the side of Clapham Beck.

5. Take it easy! Enjoy a calm corner of the lovely Traddock garden, with a cooling drink, refreshing afternoon tea or evening meal

Where are your favourite places?

24/07/2026

Here are some wonderful Yorkshire Dales events - all worth a visit, especially if you use the Traddock as your base! Do you have any favourites? These are all quite close to us.

The Settle Flowerpot Festival is brilliant for families and a great way to explore this interesting market town. The Flowerpot Festival gets more creative and extensive every year and is on until September

8th – 16th August: Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival - we think it's the original scarecrow festival, and of course the best!

15th – 16th August: Art in the Pen, Skipton - when the livestock auction mart gets completely transformed for this selling exhibition of very varied art and crafts

22nd August: Gargrave Show - lovely setting

29th August: Malham Show - a great traditional agricultural show, followed by 1st September: Kilnsey Show

26th – 27th September: Yarndale in Skipton - perfect for anyone who loves wool crafts

9th – 18th October: Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival, Celebrating Local Produce - if you love cheese, come and eat with us and enjoy the perfect cheese platter, and visit the excellent The Courtyard Dairy nearby!

Photo: Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival

23/07/2026

Clapham is a very short drive/lovely walk from our hotel, and definitely worth visiting, whether you want to just enjoy wandering around the village, or explore the cave and nature trail. Do you have a favourite spot?

Natural beauty, world famous rescuers, wool champions and plant collectors: Clapham is a small, perfectly-formed Dales village that quietly goes about its business, yet with several claims to fame. You may know it already as the starting point for the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, a popular 1.3 mile walk passing a sprawling lake, through a beautiful wooded valley to the open dale and the entrance to the must see Ingleborough Cave. It was once home to the remarkable Reginald Farrar, the Edwardian plant collector who used his gun to shoot seeds into hard-to-reach crevices! You can read some of the history and heritage of the nearby Old Sawmill on the wall panels and enjoy a coffee or meal.

Clapham is the headquarters of the Cave Rescue Organisation (donations always welcome!) Established in 1935, they were one of the first such rescue services in the world and their volunteers enjoy a world-wide reputation.

There's another organisation based here, which has had a profound effect on the Yorkshire Dales: Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust who describe themselves as "a small charity doing big things". They help look after the Dales landscape and support rural communities.

Most of the village buildings are clustered around the beck, so there are some lovely places to sit and enjoy the views, perhaps with a picnic made of ingredients from the community-run Clapham Village Store. They manage to pack a lot into a small area, and also sell local guides and postcards.

Don’t miss Glencroft who use 100% British wool and recently created their Clapdale Wool, from wool sourced from within a 5 mile radius of Glencroft’s home of Clapham.

Paul Pedals Bikes & Coffee shop is a more recent addition to the village, offering bike products and Illy coffee.

The 1st Clapham & Austwick Brownies & Guides have recently been making a name for themselves with their Peaks Pledge, encouraging everyone to look after the precious local area.

01/07/2026

Many of our guests love to go to Feizor, often in search of the famous Elton or Elaine…They’re both special, for very different reasons! Elaine is the super-woman owner of the Elaine's Tearooms, Feizor where they serve hearty meals for the many walkers who enjoy the criss-crossing routes through Feizor.

You can meet Elton and the other birds of prey at on a pre-booked experience based in Feizor. Elton is a spectacled owl, who recently starred in a Mexican film about healing and connecting with nature!

Feizor is a small, beautiful hamlet. You might notice the old village pump that’s still there – apparently it was much loved by Alfred Wainwright, creator of so many wonderful walking routes.

There’s a very enjoyable 5-mile walk from the Traddock in Austwick to Feizor, passing through the wonderful Oxenber woods.
Have you been to Feizor and met either Elton or Elaine?
Photo: Paul Harris/YDNP

19/06/2026

If you’re the sort of person who loves a physical challenge but doesn’t want to forego comfort, the Traddock is for you. The famous Yorkshire Three Peaks are right on our doorstep, along with many other excellent walking and cycling routes. Tackle all three peaks or just enjoy one at a more leisurely pace, then reward yourself with the deep comfort of a hot bath, a luxurious room and an amazing meal.

The Traddock is perfect for those who still love to walk but who’ve long since outgrown the idea of an austere hostel.

Reaching the summit of a big hill is much easier when you know you’ll have the reward of an excellent meal afterwards.

No matter when you come, we can always suggest routes to suit you, often with barely a soul around.

Just remember to book early so you can enjoy one of our most luxurious rooms with a deep bath!

Who do you love to walk with?

12/06/2026

Heard of the Norber Erratics or visited them? They're curious groups of stones, called 'erratic' because they were transported by glaciers from their original location and then dumped as the ice sheet melted, about 12,000 years ago - just under a mile from the Traddock Hotel in Austwick!

The curious sandstone boulders sit on top of younger limestone, some of them perched precariously (although they've been like that for a long time!).

There are around 100 of them scattered within a relatively small space just off Crummack Lane a short distance from the hotel. Walkers are often surprised to come across them, children love to play hide and seek there, and even locals keep finding something new to marvel at there.

It’s hard to describe them as they're quite otherworldly. The best thing you can do is come to see them for yourself - and either stay here or enjoy a drink or afternoon tea (we even offer a delicious gluten-free version) in the garden or one of our lovely lounges.

20/05/2026

Some folk are wise. Some are... otherwise. Austwick is a beautiful Dales hamlet with an odd tradition. In the sweet spot between Settle and Ingleton, Austwick is surrounded by lush green fields and patchworks of dry stone walls. Winters can be harsh so of course everyone looks forward to spotting the first signs of spring. The cuckoo is seen by many as the harbinger of spring and better weather.

Many years ago, when maybe the Winter had been a little harder than usual, the good people of Austwick were so pleased to spot the first cuckoo nesting in a tree (or maybe it had stolen another nest), they quickly built a wall around it in the hope of keeping it there. Unfortunately the wall wasn’t high enough so the cuckoo simply flew away…

I'm not sure why you'd want to commemorate such folly but this story is remembered with an annual festival in Austwick. It takes place this Monday and includes plant and cake stalls, a chance to see dray horses and a Yorkshire unicorn (!), enjoy live music, and of course a fell race.

If you don't fancy going to Austwick to spot cuckoos, you might be more interested in enjoying a drink at the The Game C**k Inn or relaxing in the charming garden at The Traddock with an excellent lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. You could work up an appetite with a good walk first - there are some excellent routes to nearby Feizor, Clapham and Oxenber Woods.