Swaledale-born Yorkshireman Chris Park has gathered together a wealth of fascinating information to tell the unique story of this ancient dale and its charming town. Barely 20 miles in length, the valley of the Swale has a rich heritage, long traditions and a strong sense of place. People who live there are intensely proud of their dale, and those who visit regularly or stumble upon it for the first time fall under the spell of its scenery, its peace and quiet, and its many opportunities for hillwalking, birdwatching, and the study of history, landscape and industrial archaeology. This wonderful book will appeal to many groups of people, from those connected with the area, to visitors, historians and to anyone interested in Yorkshire's past.