We've never been to Clapham before but we struck lucky on this day out in the Dales, we literally stumbled across it and what a gem, such a beautiful little village.
We parked up by the side of Clapham Beck, though there's a good sized car park in the village too. The village seems to be geared up for walkers and people taking part in local outdoor activities such as the 3 Peaks, caving including Ingleborough Cave and Gaping Gill, cycling and sight seeing.
Mick always heads for water so as we spotted the beck as we got out of the car, it was inevitable that the first thing we'd do was take a walk along the path by the side of it. Not really a path, more of a track which has been made by many feet taking this route before us.
Archie loves water too and he was very happy to have a little time free from his lead after the car journey.
We walked along the lanes in the village too, there's some beautiful cottages and stunning houses. We saw this gorgeous wisteria on the side of one of the cottages.
Looking across the beck through the greenery, we could just make out a church so we decided to take a closer look.
The church was founded in Norman times and was dedicated to St Michael, it's mentioned in records dating back to 1160, however, the village and church were burned down during a Scottish raid following the Battle of Bannockburn in the early 14th century. The church tower was probably erected following this incident but the rest of the church dates from the 19th century and is now dedicated to St James.
The local village store is owned and run by the community and has won awards. There's also an Aladdin's cave of a shop in the village selling all manner of things vintage. Stepping over the threshold was like going back in time and I found more than a few things from my childhood in there. It was jam packed with its wares even spreading out onto its forecourt.
I was thrilled to find a fabulous yarn shop in the village. Beckside Yarns is situated by the side of the beck and is stocked full of fabulous yarn over two floors. I thought it surprising that such a small village would have such a wonderful shop, after all, I know of many large cities that can't boast of such a well stocked yarn shop.
I'm sure you can see just why we were so taken with Clapham and it's definitely somewhere we'll return.
I live on the south coast and have never travelled further north than London, I have flown to Scotland and been down the west country but would have love to visit your area. We don't have those fells here they look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBriony
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There's lots of places in the UK that I haven't visited either. We do love it in the Yorkshire Dales though, it's such a beautiful place.
DeleteYour Clapham looks and sounds much nicer. Did you purchase any yarn from the shop?
ReplyDeleteWe were lucky to stumble on Clapham, it's somewhere we've never visited before but we'll definitely go back. I didn't buy any yarn on this occasion but there was quite a lot which caught my eye.
DeleteThat looks such a beautiful village, it looks like the sun shone for you that day too. Surprising they have such a well stocked yarn shop when like you said many towns don't even have a wool shop. Did you buy anything?
ReplyDeleteIt's such a lovely village, I don't know how we've never heard of it before, I've been visiting the Yorkshire Dales since I was a little girl. I didn't buy anything from the wool shop but they had a fantastic selection, I'll definitely visit it again.
DeleteLovely photo's Jo and Archie looks as though he was having a great time. How nice to find such a little yarn shop tucked away I can see why you were taken with Clapham.
ReplyDeleteMx
Archie always enjoys his days out with us, it's very rare for us to leave him at home so he's quite used to his jaunts out. Clapham's such a beautiful village, we'll definitely drop in again.
DeleteIt looks a lovely place to visit Jo. Amazing that they run a yarn shop too! There have been so many yarn stores close over the years, not just because of internet shoping. I think if 'celebrities' are 'into a hobby' there seems to be a revival. I remember reading once that Kylie was into cross stitch, popularity began to grow. Very strange. Glad that Archie enjoyed himself too, Cx
ReplyDeleteI was really surprised to see such a wonderful yarn shop in a small sleepy village, it's packed with really good quality yarn so I expect it does a lot of business. I remember reading about Julia Roberts knitting many years ago, I wonder if she still does. Archie loves his days out but he's always exhausted once we get home and sleeps well that night.
DeleteWhat a beautiful little village and with the added bonus of a yarn shop! The wisteria on the cottage looks lovely. X
ReplyDeleteThis has got to be one of the most picturesque villages I've visited, it's really lovely and yes, the yarn shop is definitely an added attraction. I love to see wisteria on cottages, it's so English somehow.
DeleteI often think the best kind of days are when we're out for a drive, going nowhere in particular, and make a spur of the moment decision to explore a little side road with a sign pointing to a previously unheard of village. We've found some lovely places that way. Your Clapham looks lovely...despite being a Londoner (well, Middlesex girl actually), I've never been to the London Clapham, I bet it's not as nice as the Yorkshire one.
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree. We've discovered many places just by driving off the beaten track when we've gone for a day out with nowhere in mind. I couldn't possibly make a judgement on which is the nicest Clapham never having been to the London one, but the Yorkshire one would definitely take some beating.
DeleteSuch a perfect English Village!
ReplyDeleteWhere was Miss Marple, I wonder? Looking around in the Yarn Shop, I bet! Did you spot her???
:-))))
Ha ha, I would have loved to have spotted her. Unfortunately, the fictional village of St.Mary Mead where she lives is supposedly in the south of England so she'd have had to be quite a long distance from home if she was in Yorkshire, though that fabulous yarn shop just might have tempted her to travel.
DeleteOoohhh how delightful! We love to just pull up and park in a pretty village, but I don't always have my camera. I love going in yarn shops. Even when I can't afford to buy, just looking and touching is sooo blissful! What is it about yarn? Why does it make me go OOOOHHHH! Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteI'm with you there. I wasn't looking for any particular yarn but there was plenty which took my fancy and I might just succumb when we return to this beautiful village. It's lovely to go for a day out without a destination in mind and just stop here and there, we find some wonderful places.
DeleteThe wisteria is glorious. I'm always on the lookout for local yarn shops and it's such a treat when you find a good one. As you mentioned, they are sometimes hard to come by, even in large cities. We recently went to the states, just over the border, and I forgot my knitting (yikes!) so was searching for a LYS to get some yarn and needles but had no luck so had to go without.
ReplyDeleteOh no. I think that's a sign of the times though. I remember having a choice of yarn shops when I was in my teens but they're few and far between now. I was so surprised to find such a wonderful, well stocked shop in such a sleepy little village.
DeleteWhat a fab place, love that it had a yarn shop too.
ReplyDeleteIt was like the yarn shop had sprung up in the middle of nowhere, a wonderful find.
DeleteBeautiful Jo. That would make a good day out?..... I love that part of the Dales & know we'll be spending some time there. Yarn shops over here aren't what they used to (or quilt shops) & it's nice to find a good one. Take care & huggles.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful day out. We do enjoy visiting the Yorkshire Dales, and no matter how many times we've been, there's always more to see.
DeletePlaces you stumble across are often the most enchanting, and this certainly is! Love that wisteria, and the church, and of course you'll always find a yarn shop!xxx
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to find somewhere we've never been before but where we'll return, especially as there's such a great yarn shop there.
DeleteWhat a beautiful and picturesque village.
ReplyDeleteHave to agree the wisteria on that cottage is beautiful.
Two great posts Jo about your recent trips out … can't get over the wonderful weather you were able to enjoy too.
All the best Jan
We've been quite lucky with the weather just lately. It was very windy on this particular day but I didn't mind that as the sun was shining.
DeleteA two story yarn shop!!! Love it. This was a fun post . The wisteria is beautiful
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look it from the outside but the yarn shop is quite big, and very well stocked. I'll definitely be returning.
DeleteWhat a pretty village! You live in a lovely part of Yorkshire. Sometimes it's good to drive down country lanes, stop somewhere new and explore. The yarn shop looks inviting.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a pretty village. We've visited the Yorkshire Dales so many times, I wonder how we've missed it each time we've been. It's definitely on our radar now and somewhere we'll return to.
DeleteWhat a lovely place it looks beautiful, I really must try to go there I love the sound of that yarn shop. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely yarn shop, I'd return just for that, but the village is beautiful too.
DeleteLovely post and pictures It sounds like the perfect place to visit, and I'm sure you'll go again. xx
ReplyDeleteWe'll definitely visit again, we really enjoyed it here and I think Archie had a good time strolling by the beck too.
DeleteIt really does look the prettiest of villages and one with a good yarn shop must be the best of all. So glad you had such a good day.
ReplyDeleteThey yarn shop is an advantage but the village is gorgeous anyway, definitely a place we'll return to.
DeleteMy goodness definitely my kind of place...a vintage store, a yarn shop and an old church amazing. All I need now is a nice place for tea and cake.
ReplyDeleteYou're all set then because there's a tearoom in the village too. I tell you, it's a wonderful place which has everything you could want for a lovely day out.
Deletewhat a lovely place.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy we've found it, we'll definitely go back.
DeleteIt's lovely, as is the whole village.
ReplyDeleteWOW, what a find. Would love to tour there, it's so pretty and quaint. I've never seen a White Wisteria, only Lavender ones. Where's the picture of the yarn...I want to see it, and squish it etc.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
Ha ha, no yarn pictures, perhaps next time. It's such a beautiful village, we're sure to return.
DeleteIt looks like a really good day out, Settle and Hawes too. What a beautiful county you live in. x
ReplyDeleteWe're really lucky to have such beauty on our doorstep, we travel one way and meet the coast and the other way brings us to the Yorkshire Dales, we couldn't want for more.
DeleteClapham does look a beauty village to visit. You find the nicest of wool shops when on your travels. We came across one when on holiday a few years back and the amount of classes etc that she held during the week was amazing - I guess it was nice for holidaymakers if the weather was bad the week they were there? I know one lady who goes on hols with her friend and they always visit the local library knit and natter group when away.
ReplyDeleteI think it's lovely to have a nice wool shop in the vicinity when you're away. I always look for yarn shops on our travels but I rarely find one as lovely or well stocked as this one, and in such a small village too.
DeleteDefinitely the more beautiful of the two Claphams!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a pretty village and it has so much to offer too.
DeleteI now want to go to Clapham and fine that Aladdin's Cave, and, of course, the wool shop. Two floors? What did you buy? You must've bought something! (If I read on I'll probably find out).
ReplyDeletexx
Clapham is lovely, somewhere we'll definitely visit again in the future. I didn't buy anything from the yarn shop on this occasion, I was very restrained.
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