Glaisdale

Glaisdale climbs the hillside above the Esk where the side valley of Glaisdale joins the main dale. The village straggles for more than a mile along the lane, with the church of St Thomas, a shop, a village hall and the Arncliffe Arms.

Down by the river, next to the station, is Beggar's Bridge, the most photographed spot in the valley. This graceful single-arch packhorse bridge was built in 1619 by Thomas Ferris, a poor local man who, so the story goes, could not cross the flooded river to say goodbye to his sweetheart before going to sea. He returned wealthy, married her, and built the bridge so that no other lovers would be parted by the Esk.

From the bridge, a beautiful path follows the river through Arncliffe Wood to Egton Bridge, partly on ancient paved 'trods', the flagged causeways that once carried packhorse traffic through the dale.

Glaisdale is also home to Esk Valley Theatre, whose summer season at the Robinson Institute draws audiences from across the region.