Coverdale (dale) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coverdale |
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 View of Coverdale looking towards Melmerby |
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 Coverdale
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| OS grid reference | SD055825 |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Postcode district | DL8 |
| Police | North Yorkshire |
| Fire | North Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
Coverdale is a beautiful valley, or dale, located in the eastern part of the Yorkshire Dales in North Yorkshire, England. It gets its name from the River Cover, a river that flows into the larger River Ure. The valley stretches from the eastern end of Wensleydale towards a high pass called Park Rash Pass. This pass is found between two hills, Great Whernside and Buckden Pike. You can reach Coverdale by a single narrow road. This road runs through the entire valley and over the pass to Kettlewell in Wharfedale. Some people think the name "Coverdale" comes from an old word meaning "Cave-Dale," because of the many caves here. Others believe it comes from a word meaning "Arrow," referring to how fast the river flows.
Contents
History of Coverdale
Ancient Abbey and Old Roads
A long time ago, in the 14th century, an abbey was built in Coverham. An abbey is a type of monastery where monks or nuns live. This one was founded by Ralph, the son of Robert Lord of Middleham. The monks living there were called Premonstratensian, also known as White Canons. The abbey was officially closed down in 1536. You can still see some of the old ruins today, but they are not open to the public.
In the 1700s, the road through Coverdale was very important. It was used by coaches traveling between London and Richmond. This route was part of a very long journey, about 251 miles! It passed through towns like Halifax, Keighley, Skipton, and Cracoe.
Coverdale Cheese
The valley also gives its name to a special kind of cheese. This cheese is a type of Yorkshire Dales cheese. It is made at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes. Coverdale cheese is similar to Wensleydale cheese in how it feels and tastes. However, some people think Coverdale cheese is a bit more tangy or "edgy."
The Coverbridge Pub and Cricket
The River Cover joins the River Ure at a small place called Coverbridge. Here you will find Clarkson's farm and the Coverbridge Pub. This pub is a very old inn that travelers used to visit. It was on the road from Jervaux Abbey to Middleham.
The Coverbridge Pub has a couple of interesting stories. One story says that monks hid there. They kept the secret recipe for Wensleydale cheese safe. This happened when King Henry VIII's soldiers were closing down abbeys. Another story says that the first officially recorded game of cricket happened here in 1706.
In 2006, the Coverbridge Cricket Festival celebrated this 300th anniversary. It was a huge event with lots of cricket. The Red Arrows and old planes like a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Royal Air Force even flew overhead! A local team from Coverbridge played against the Awali Camels team. The Awali Camels were visiting from the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Fun Places to Visit
- Braithwaite Hall: This is an old farmhouse built in 1667. For many years, farmers lived here. They also mined coal and dug for limestone in the nearby areas.
- Forbidden Corner: This is a really cool place with tunnels, caves, and gardens. They all connect to form a giant, three-dimensional maze. It's a fun place to explore!
Villages and Hamlets
- Agglethorpe
- Braidley
- Caldbergh
- Carlton
- Coverham
- East Scrafton
- Horsehouse
- Melmerby
- Middleham
- West Scrafton
