Grassington

Grassington exudes a friendly village atmosphere. In 1282 it was granted a charter for a weekly market and an annual fair, and these continued until the 19th century. A change in land use from the early 17th century, when lead-mining began to assume more importance, brought some prosperity, but Grassington's heyday arrived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The opening of the Yorkshire Dales Railway to Threshfield in 1901 brought new visitors, many of whom settled, some finding work in Skipton or in the developing limestone quarries. Today Grassington is the main residential and tourist centre in upper Wharfedale, superbly situated, with good shops and other amenities, as well as many beautiful walks from the Yorkshire Dales National Park car-park
Be warned...on a nice warm sunny day the place is throbbing with tourists and walkers !

Click on above thumbnails for a higher resolution.

Links
Official Website
Dickensian Christmas Fayre

Grassington Town Trail

Start at the bottom of Market Square, mainly cobbled, and the heart of the village. Immediately on the west side is Church House, 17th century (datestone 1694) with Georgian windows above. On the opposite side is Grassington House, 1760, all symmetry and tall sash windows. Below this, on the east side is Pletts Fold, one of many small, compact groups representing 17th and 18thC crofts belonging to individual houses, built up as the village expanded.
Beyond Grassington House and the Black Horse Inn, a former coaching inn, is the Upper Wharfedale Museum. Garrs Lane leaves the top of the square on the right, Main Street leading to Moor Road, on the left.
The Congregational Church of 1812 is near the top of Garrs Lane, with Theatre Cottage, converted from a barn and used last century as a theatre. Beyond it to the left is Pletts Barn, although now converted, still shows its remarkable 17thC character, with arched ventilation slits and pigeon-holes. Near the top of Main Street is the Town Hall, built in 1885 as the Mechanics Institute, is now the Devonshire Institute.
Chapel Street leads to the northwest, with more 'folds'. 17thC Town Head Farm at the end is its best building, contrasting with 19thC miners' cottages on the way. Swinging left then left again, Garrs End Lane leads back to Main Street, passing Ranters' Fold and Chamber End Fold, where the end house facing the small square is a handsome 17th century building with later window changes, but retaining its stepped, three-light window in the top storey - these small tripartite windows are a feature of houses in this part of Wharfedale.
To explore fully every little alley and fold which give Grassington so much character and charm, is a rewarding journey into the past, and deserves at least an hour of your time.

Page and pictures by CragFace

Click on above thumbnails for a higher resolution.

Search gallery for more photos of Grassington