Explore-Nidderdale-AW - Flipbook - Page 30
WHERE TO GO
Nidderdale’s Unique
Experiences
Nidderdale really is in a league of its own when it comes to unique and varied
experiences. From trekking across the Dale with friendly and characterful llamas and
alpacas, to taking a guided tour – including tastings – at a local distillery; and from
shopping for exclusive, local, handmade arts, crafts and jewellery to staring up at
our stunning dark skies at Nidderdale’s own observatory, there are truly memorable
experiences for everyone to enjoy here. Read on below to 昀椀nd out more…
At Nidderdale Llamas at Wilsill you can experience
llama trekking, alpaca walking and llama and alpaca
experiences all year round. The llamas and alpacas
are gentle, friendly and great fun to be with, and
whilst you cannot ride one of them, they make
amazing walking companions, and you can enjoy
an interactive experience with them without a
walk! Llamas and alpacas also make great therapy
animals and offer amazing bene昀椀ts for both children
and adults who face challenges. From learning
dif昀椀culties, physical and/ or mental disabilities,
dementia, bereavement, emotional overload, and
stress. Ranging from primary school students to
adults and the elderly, all are catered for, including
for people in wheelchairs.
King Street Workshops in Pateley Bridge is home
to a small group of highly talented and skilled
local craftspeople who design and make exclusive
pieces in a variety of materials including ceramic,
stone, glass, precious metals and gemstones. The
workshops welcome visitors to browse, buy and
commission a special piece. Some of the makers
arrange workshops for people to try making
various of the arts and crafts (check the facebook
page—details opposite—for when these are being
held). The tenants can change as new creative
businesses become successful and outgrow their
premises, so check the facebook page for a list of
the artists and crafts men and women currently in
the Workshops.
Whittaker’s Distillery in Dacre Banks offers a
distillery tour, giving people the chance to get a look
behind the scenes at a working distillery producing
international award-winning gins and now whisky.
The co-founders of the distillery take people on
the tours and cover the history of the distillery and
describe the gin and whisky making process. The
tour starts with either a gin and tonic or beverage
of your choice! After the tour, visitors head back to
the café for a full gin tasting session and delicious
nibbles including locally made, award-winning,
pork pies. For those driving, a small bottle of gin
is provided to take home and savour. Whittaker’s
now also offers a half-day whisky making experience
where people can work side by side with distillers to
lean what it takes to turn three basic ingredients—
water, barley and yeast-- into what will eventually
become a fantastic single malt whisky.
The Lime Tree Observatory, at Lime Tree Farm
in Grewelthorpe, was 昀椀rst opened to the public
in 2016. The observatory was built following the
recovery of a large telescope and dome from an
observatory in Kent. The telescope is a 24inch
re昀氀ecting telescope with a motor drive which
allows observers to keep the desired object in
view for long periods of time. It is one of a number
of educational attractions at the farm, including
a planetarium which can now host groups of up
to 25 people in state-of-the-art facilities. The
planetarium features programming curated by the
British Fulldome Institute so that a truly immersive
experience can be enjoyed by those visiting the
planetarium.
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