Visitors to Swaledale with Arkengarthdale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park will be able to walk between the churches of the valley, and enjoy hospitalitiy in each of the four historic buildings as the Parish of Swaledale with Arkengarthdale holds parish-wide open day with self-guided walks on Saturday 1 July.
Tourists and visitors to the area will be invited to drop into any of the parish churches - St Andrew’s, Grinton, Holy Trinity, Melbeck in Low Row, St Mary’s, Arkengarthdale or St Mary’s, Muker - and find coffee, tea and home-baked goodies, together with guides from the local congregations to show people around, pointing out some of the interesting features - for example, the new bells at Grinton, or the restored windows at Holy Trinity.
Guided walk leaflets will be available at each church with route ideas to the next church - and the parish promise that if visitors need transport back to the church they started at then transport can be provided and arranged.
The churches will be open from 10am to 4pm. Everyone is welcome – Dales residents, visitors, holiday-makers, walkers (boots and waterproofs definitely needed), non-walkers, bikers and car drivers.
For more information phone Susan Allison on 01748 884366 or Elizabeth Bedford on 01748 886974 or email elizabeth@bedfords.me.uk. The parish website is www.swaledalearkengarthdaleparish.org.uk