Kettlewell

Although Kettlewell is tourist motivated, there is none of the exasperating and tacky commercialism. Always there is a sense of friendliness and charm, rare these days.

In the 13th century a market was established in Kettlewell and the village became a thriving community. Textiles, (and, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, lead-mining,) revitalised the village and Kettlewell's appearance today derives much from its past 200 years. The remains of the smelting-mill, used from 1700 to 1880, can be seen near the meeting of the rivers Cam and Dowber Becks half a mile above the village.

The B6160, crosses the Wharfe into Kettlewell by a grand stone bridge, repaired recently by Alan Dolphin, after flood damage. There are three inns - the Racehorses, the Blue Bell and the King's Head which testify to Kettlewell's popularity with visitors, and in addition there are numerous guesthouses and holiday cottages.
There are good examples of both 17th and 18thC houses here, including the vicarage. The church, however, is late Victorian.

Apart from its beautiful setting Kettlewell's main appeal is as a base from which to explore the surrounding landscape, Great Whernside (2308 feet), to Starbotton by woodland paths or the exciting green lane of Top Mere Road, or, for the energetic, a climb over the tops to Amcliffe or Hawkswick in Littondale.
The village has now become famous for two reasons...

• The annual Scarecrow Festival
• The film The Calendar Girls

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Links
Kettlewell Website

Page and Pictures by CragFace

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