Horsehouse...

In the three miles travelled up the valley from Carlton the hills have narrowed the valley and the meadows have retreated towards the river. Here is the village of Horsehouse, the last sizeable settlement in the High Dale with its houses huddled closely into the contours of the land under Fleensop moor, looking towards the masses of Little Whernside, Dead Man’s Hill and Great Haw dominating the southern horizon.

A village named because of its importance as a staging post for drovers, travellers and their horses. Originally an important link between Wensleydale and the Cheshire salt mines then later the main coaching road from London to Middleham and Richmond. Once a busy little community with a church, two chapels, two public houses and a school. Now both chapels and the school have closed but the church of Saint Botolph still remains as does the Thwaite Arms public house. A place where footpaths still meet and lead to other dales in spectacular moor land walks.