A Place with Deep Roots

Every corner of the Yorkshire Dales carries a story, and Neddy Meadow is no exception. Archaeological surveys show that this land has been part of the fabric of Grinton and Swaledale for centuries. Old boundaries, trackways and earthworks still whisper of the generations who lived and worked here.

Like much of Swaledale, the surrounding landscape was shaped not just by farming but also by the lead mining boom of the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the wider hills still hold the traces — spoil heaps, shafts, and weathered stone remains of that once-vital industry. But our little patch by the River Swale always stayed closer to the land, with hay meadows, sheep grazing, and the rhythms of small-scale farming.

The barn itself was built in traditional Dales stone, once serving as a practical agricultural building for storing hay and sheltering livestock during long Yorkshire winters. For generations it stood solidly, part of the working landscape, with the meadow itself offering food, shelter, and space to those who depended on it.

A Family Chapter

Our family became part of this story in 2012, when my parents bought the field and its barns.

When the land passed to me in 2021, I set my heart on bringing the barn back to life — not as a working farm building, but as a warm and welcoming place where people could stay and enjoy the Dales as we had done. I applied for planning permission to convert it into a holiday cottage. Planning wasn't easy, but we persevered, believing that this barn and the land around it deserved a future, not just a past.

Finally, in 2023, we were granted permission — a turning point that allowed us to begin the careful conversion. Every decision was made with respect for the barn’s history and the wider landscape, while also ensuring that today’s visitors could enjoy comfort, space, and a touch of luxury.

Neddy Meadow Today

Now, after years of waiting, restoring, and building, the barn has been transformed into the holiday cottage you see today. Where animals once huddled for shelter, guests now gather for meals after a day on the Swale Trail. The meadow is still as peaceful as ever — a place to watch the seasons change, laze in the long grass, or simply sit back and listen to birdsong and the rush of the river nearby.