We are a big fan of local businesses and artists and so to help support them in Swaledale we created an end to end trail starting at Muker and going all the way down to Richmond. Some artists or producers are unable to accept visitors, so where this is the case we have provided information on how you can purchase their goods: usually online or in one of shops scattered through out the dale.
Some of the art at Strands View has been sourced from these local artists.
SWALEDALE SOAPWORKS
Swaledale Soapworks manufacture beautiful soaps inspired by life in Swaledale.
All are hand-made in small batches using sustainable and eco efficient manufacturing processes. They use only 3 oils: British tallow, organic shea and coconut. They do not use palm oil nor do they choose to formulate their soaps using
any other types of oils which are commonly used by other makers such as castor, palm and olive.
Tabby, the founder of Swaledale Soapworks says: “My goal is to reduce carbon footprint and support British producers to the best of my ability, while having minimum impact on the environment with less imported products and ingredients
as possible.”
She has also designed the packaging using recyclable kraft paper while making it pretty enough to keep as a keep sake and provide extra information about the Dales for visitors.
Swaledale Soapworks is a small business, but has big visions for the future, including the set up of a manufacturing facility in the Dale as well as a facility to teach people about soap making.
You can’t visit Swaledale Soapworks yet, but their soaps are available at the following places on the Craft Trail in and around the Dale:
SWALEDALE WOOLLENS
Swaledale Woollens sells a very wide range of knitwear hand-made locally using local wool. They sell sweaters, cardigans, hats, rugs, scarves and socks. Great for gifts given the high quality and uniqueness of each hand-crafted item.
It is a true cottage industry formed over 50 years ago by villages reviving the old industry of co-operative knitting. Their wool comes from the local Wensleydale, Swaledale and welsh hill sheep which is then sent to Lanark Mill in southern Scotland for washing and combing, before spinning and finishing. Lanark Mill produces ethical and environmentally friendly yearn by using renewable energy from their own hydro-electric generator. The yarn is then shipped back to Swaledale where a team of dedicated and skilled local knitters create the garments. The yarn is also available to buy in balls for your own designs.
THE OLD SCHOOL ART GALLERY & CRAFT CENTRE, MUKER
The Old School is the largest art gallery and craft centre operating within The Yorkshire Dales National Park. It showcases a wide and diverse range artists and makers from the region whom all share the same passion for the iconic landscape and wildlife that surrounds the centre in Upper Swaledale.
The centre is split into three distinct areas: the craft centre, the gallery and the walled garden.
The craft centre showcases over 30 independent makers in the areas of ceramics, sculpture, glass, feltwork and ironwork.
The Walled Garden is where you can enjoy a drink in the company of some wonderful sculptures, including those from Graculus sculptures.
Finally there are a number of gallery spaces which showcase the work of an amazing group of artists inspired by The Yorkshire Dales. Expect to see examples of pastel work, fieldwork, printmaking, oils, watercolour and acrylic.
Learn more about the Old School Art Gallery and Craft Centre.
THE OLD WORKING SMITHY, GUNNERSIDE
The Smithy was built in 1795 at the bottom of Gunnerside Ghyll to serve the lead mining industry. It displays an interesting collection of objects amassed over the years.
All the artifacts on display are from the Smithy itself and the Smithy is run by the 6th generation of blacksmiths in the Calvert family.
It is a working blacksmiths and you can order or buy a variety of iron based products from companion sets through to flower basket holders.
The Smithy has also been featured on the BBC programme Salvage Hunters.
Open from Easter to October
Graculus Sculptures, Reeth
The wonderful world of Michael Kusz – is how he introduces himself on marketing literature… and he is very much correct: his studio is truly magical, wonderful and feels like something out of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. He also has a very chatty “apprentice” named Joe – who just so happens to be a crow!
Michael’s sculptures are typically made from recycled materials and mostly copper and aim to recapture an essence of childhood – that sense of joy of the absurd and unexpected discovery embodied through characters like Rooks.
Well worth visiting his studio.
SCENICVIEW Gallery, Reeth
Focusing on landscapes from around Swaledale, Scenicview Gallery opened in 2004.
The images invite the the viewer on a “visual journey through Swaledale’s ever-changing scenery, from golden sunrises over heather moorland to the quiet drama of morning mist settling across the valley floor.”
The gallery is open 7 days a week and sells both framed and unframed photographs.
A number of the photographs at StransView are from the Scenicview Gallery.
THE NUTMEG COMPANY, REETH
The nutmeg company specialises in 3D Cross Stitch and in their gallery you can also purchase kits to build a wide variety of designs: from town and village miniatures to Christmas decorations to Penguins!
You will be amazed at the techniques which make the designs look realistic, but also how complex and large the designs can become: a cross-stitch miniature of Windsor Castle has been built using cross-stitch, which shows the Round Tower and Upper Ward of the Castle including the State Apartments – apparently it took 3 months to make.
Fleece, REETH
Fleece is a cooperative art and craft shop to give a home to local artists to show and sell their works.
It is open 7 days a week and covers a wide range of art and crafts from: felt pictures, to pottery, to stained glass, to wood work and more.
It operates as a not-for-profit organisation and all the co-operative members live in the Yorkshire Dales area. The staff in the shop are usually crafters or artists themselves and so have a great deal of knowledge themselves – do ask!
There are a number of items in Strandsview from Fleece and given the diversity of product it is always worth popping in if you are in Reeth, because there is always something new and different.
Overdale Studio & Gallery, Marrick
A place for creative exploration in which gut feeling, instinct and imagination collide to from bold, intuitive paintings each one reflecting a moment in time and told through expressive colour and movement.
“Dynamic, bold movement” is how critics have positively described David’s work.
Visiting the studio is by appointment only, so please contact well in advance using the contact form on the website. The contact form can be found here. Overdale is certainly one to watch in the art world.
lUCY PITTAWAY, RICHMOND
Lucy Pittaway is an award-winning artist known far and wide for her naive and imaginative style which brings a smile to your face.
Her collections are all based upon real-life inspiration with a personal story behind each piece. Much of her art is inspired by the Dales: the sights and sounds.
Her medium of choice are soft pastels and she uses hands-on techniques to give her work its distinctive texture, depth and colour.
Arthaus Gallery, Richmond
A gallery dedicated to the inspiring art of Mackenzie Thorpe. The gallery features a collection which has been thoughtfully curated and consists of a range of his contemporary works, including originals, prints and sculptures.
The gallery actually started 35 years ago as an art supplies shop by Mackenzie himself and gradually it evolved into the gallery you see today: it has tracked his artistic journey as he has evolved to become the global phenomenon he is today.
The gallery is almost opposite Lucy Pittaway’s gallery making this end of Finkle Street something of a global art phenomenon. Fascinating to have both artists opposite each other and seeing how Mackenzie has inspired Lucy.
The Station, Richmond
Richmond’s old railway station is a great place to finish this art tour of Swaledale.
It is light, vibrant creative space containing a cinema, a gallery, numerous craft shops, artisanal food shops, a brewery, a cafe and even an ice cream parlour.
It is a very active community hub run by Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (RBPT) as a not-for-profit meaning that any profit is plowed back into the building.
The gallery spaces are constantly changing their displays, so do regularly check in on them if you can.
Certainly a great place to have a piece of cake and tea as you reflect on all the art you have seen during the day!