MENTION ‘the Dales’ and most East Lancashire people probably think of Skipton, Settle and maybe Ingleton, Malham and the three Peaks.

But venture a little further north and you’ll find Swaledale – a wide and wildly beautiful valley that’s off the well-beaten tourist trail and all the more enjoyable for it, if tranquillity and unspoilt grandeur are what turns you on.

Around 90 miles from Blackburn and a breath-taking seven mile-drive over the Buttertub pass north of the Wensleydale cheese-making centre of Hawes you come to a string of small villages.

Thwaite, Keld, Muker and Gunnerside are at the western end of the road which runs through the picture postcard community of Reeth to Swaledale’s Eastern boundary – the market town of Richmond.

Between Reeth and Gunnerside there’s also the hamlet of Low Row, home of the 17th century Punch Bowl Inn – an 11-bedroom boutique-style hotel with a big reputation for great food, hospitality and comfort.

Tastefully furnished and stylish rooms have fabulous views to Whita Side across the broad sweep of the valley and there are little touches that make all the difference like fresh bottled milk for your tea or coffee rather than plastic containers of the UHT variety.

The Punch Bowl was opened seven years ago by husband and wife Charles and Stacy Cody after seven months of renovation.

It had been a pub, tearoom, hotel and bunkhouse and took its name from a dog called Punch which used to sleep in a bowl by the bar!

Today it boasts a fully restored 60-cover restaurant with an oak bar uniquely designed by the craftsmen of Robert Thompson – the famous ‘Mouseman of Kilburn’ near York.

Meanwhile the swale part of Swaledale is an Anglo-Saxon word which means a rushing, swirling river The area is tailor-made for everyone who likes to explore the countryside but especially walkers with footpaths galore linking the villages via treks over hilltops or alongside fast-flowing rivers.

Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk passes the door of The Punch Bowl Inn and the Pennine Way is nearby.

Around 11 miles away is Richmond, the beautiful market town that is the north eastern gateway to the Dales.

The cobbled central market place, Georgian houses, and of course the dominating 11th century Norman castle, give the place a magical air.

A few minutes walk takes you around the south side of the castle and down to a superb walk through parkland alongside the fast-flowing river Swale.

Also well worth a visit and within easy reach over the border in County Durham is Barnard Castle which has a weekly farmers’ and street market, a number of interesting antique shops and the famous Bowes Museum.

Swaledale and The Punch Bowl Inn are a world away from urban hustle and bustle, not least because much of the valley thankfully remains free from mobile phone reception!

  • For details of special weekend or weekday rates for bed and breakfast and two or three night dinner, bed and breakfast breaks at the four-star rated Punch Bowl Inn phone 01748 886233, email info@pbinn.co.uk or visit www.pbinn.co.uk