Visit to Wensleydale Creamery, Dales Countryside Museum and Rope Factory
Setting off from Durham, and after stopping at the Aston Hotel, the coach drove through Catterick and passed over the Aysgarth Falls, resplendently bathed in June sunshine.
Through Wensleydale (the only Dale not named after a river), we reached Hawes, the market town and tourist centre, welcoming us with strings of bunting, and which is home to the Wensleydale Creamery, our first stop.
In the visitor centre a demonstration produced a Wensleydale cheese before our very eyes, and this was followed by a tour of the factory. The rennet used to be produced from boiled-down slugs – thankfully no longer in use.
A lovely salad lunch including, yes you’ve guessed it, a variety of cheeses; a huge selection of which was available in the shop.
Through Wensleydale (the only Dale not named after a river), we reached Hawes, the market town and tourist centre, welcoming us with strings of bunting, and which is home to the Wensleydale Creamery, our first stop.
In the visitor centre a demonstration produced a Wensleydale cheese before our very eyes, and this was followed by a tour of the factory. The rennet used to be produced from boiled-down slugs – thankfully no longer in use.
A lovely salad lunch including, yes you’ve guessed it, a variety of cheeses; a huge selection of which was available in the shop.
The afternoon was spent at the Dales Countryside Museum, which boasted an exhibition of country life in an old railway carriage, and an display of “home appliances” from an era before this term became fashionable. A realistic lead mining tunnel completed the museum’s exhibits.
A fascinating rope factory was available for viewing across the museum yard, with the ropemaker tramping for an average of 6 miles a day to lay out the rope threads prior to being twisted into a formed rope. A multiplicity of coloured ropes were used to create everything from dog leads to rope barriers for ceremonial events.
A wonderful drive through the Dales in all their splendour completed the outing.
Many thanks were due to Jenny Miller for organising such an interesting and memorable day, and for providing a day of perfect weather.
A fascinating rope factory was available for viewing across the museum yard, with the ropemaker tramping for an average of 6 miles a day to lay out the rope threads prior to being twisted into a formed rope. A multiplicity of coloured ropes were used to create everything from dog leads to rope barriers for ceremonial events.
A wonderful drive through the Dales in all their splendour completed the outing.
Many thanks were due to Jenny Miller for organising such an interesting and memorable day, and for providing a day of perfect weather.
