Park House is on the banks of the Swale in Upper Swaledale about a mile from the source of the river and half a mile from the small village of Keld.

Swaledale is the most northerly of the dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is considered by many to be the most beautiful. The River Swale rises about a mile above Keld and on its course tumbles over a range of spectacular waterfalls until it reaches the water meadows below Reeth.

Upper Swaledale in particular is quiet even at the height of the holiday season. It is a paradise for walkers, photographers, bird watchers and those who just require a peaceful escape from the bustle of town life.

Two major long distance paths, The Coast to Coast and the Pennine Way cross at Keld, providing the walker with a choice of major hikes over the hills or short strolls through the meadows.

There is an ever changing panorama of light, cloud and colour over the river and valley, and birds such as the rare black grouse, golden plover and ring ousel can be spotted on the high ground.

Every season brings its own attractions:

In Spring and early Summer the curlews, peewits, oyster catchers and redshanks return from over wintering at the coast and the fells resound with their cries; the lambs chase each other in the fields and the meadows are full of flowers. During the Swaledale Festival in late May musicians perform against the backdrop of the dramatic scenery of the dale. See www.swaledale-festival.org.uk

In Summer there are rivers and becks to paddle in and the hills and trees are many shades of lush green.

In Autumn the Dale quietens and the red of the rowan stands out against the chestnut colour of the bracken and the purple of the heather.

In Winter the waterfalls freeze, the trees and meadows are covered in hoar frost and walkers can have the view entirely to themselves then have a quiet pint at a pub fireside.

Yet despite its remoteness, Upper Swaledale is only an hour's drive from West Yorkshire and Teeside and is within easy reach of the Lakes and the cities of York and Durham.

For details of events throughout the year see www.yorkshiredales.org.uk