Pateley Bridge - market town of Upper Nidderdale
As the market town of Upper Nidderdale, Pateley Bridge is quite an enigma. It must
be, without doubt, the worst signposted place in Yorkshire. It's not signposted
from Harrogate, and it's not signposted from Otley. So the really surprising thing
is, how do so many people manage to find the place? I don't know how the cars get
there, but Pately has a serious traffic problem that needs a radical solution.
Apart from the traffic it's a lovely little village. It hasn't been overrun with
tourist tat, and there's a great selection of really good shops on the High Street.
And this is on the edge of a quite wealthy area, so there's quality too. For picnicking there's a
nice little park at the foot of the hill, and no shortage of places to buy picnic food.
So what are the best things to see:
- Kendall's Butchers - a proper traditional butchers still baking superb pork pies
on the premises. The pies are so good I can even forgive them for prouding pork
pies with peas in them, or chutney or apple. Not enough jelly for my liking but
beautiful meat and nicely seasoned. Suffice it to say I can't pass without buying
one.
- Nidderdale museum, a lovely little museum but with very restricted opening hours
- 1:30-4:00 at the time of writing. Do persist though as it really is worth a visit. It has several period rooms
recreated that try and show how Dalesfolk lived in the past.
- Nidderdale Show - held every September at Bewerlay Park, this is generally the last show of the season and
attracts very large crowds. It's best to get there mid-morning as there's always a show parade down the high street led
by a brass band. And it's reasonably priced too.
- Nidderdale Festival - the festival is held
during July and has an unmissable selection of eclectic events. Rock climbing, brass bands, music halls, walks, trips
down a lead mine (yes a trip down a leadmine!) and music of every imaginable variety. Not to be missed.