Kettlewell

It is believed that the name Kettlewell is Anglo Saxon{{cite web |title=Amerdale Cottage |url=http://www.kettlewellcottages.co.uk/kettlewell_village_scarecrow_festival.html |publisher=Amerdale |year= 2011 |access-date=7 April 2011}} and comes from Chetelewelle which means a bubbling spring or stream.{{cite web |title=Kettlewell Name |url=http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Kettlewell |publisher=Amerdale |year= 2011 |access-date=7 April 2011}} Signs of the farming methods of Romano-British and early medieval agriculture can still be seen in terraced fields to the north and the south of the village.{{cite web|title=Conservation Area Appraisals|url=http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/living-and-working/historic-buildings/conservation-areas/2012-01-16-kettlewell-caa-web.pdf|website=Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority|access-date=23 November 2015|page=16|date=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022232325/http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/living-and-working/historic-buildings/conservation-areas/2012-01-16-kettlewell-caa-web.pdf|archive-date=22 October 2015|url-status=dead}}

In the 13th century a market was established in Kettlewell, which became a thriving community. The Thursday market mostly sold corn outside the King's Arms.{{cite web|url=http://kettlewellvillage.co.uk/history/|title=History|website=Kettlewell Village|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102210833/http://kettlewellvillage.co.uk/history/|archive-date=2 January 2018}} A watermill was built on the River Wharfe in the 13th century to grind corn.{{cite journal |last1=Mitchell |first1=W. R. |title=A song of the River Wharfe |journal=The Dalesman |date=March 1980 |volume=41 |issue=12 |page=976}}

Textiles (and, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, lead mining) revitalised the village and Kettlewell's appearance today derives much from its past 200 years. The remains of the smelting-mill, used from 1700 to 1880, can be seen near the meeting of Cam Gill and Dowber Gill Becks half a mile above the village.

In 1686 Kettlewell and Starbotton were almost destroyed in a flood. Heavy rainfall descended on the adjacent hills and cascaded down into the village demolishing several houses and causing the residents to flee.[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/WRY/Kettlewell/index.html Genuki website]

On 5 July 2014, the Tour de France Stage 1 from Leeds to Harrogate passed through the village.{{cite web|url=http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/stage-1.html|title=Tour de France Stage 1|access-date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725103624/http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/stage-1.html|archive-date=25 July 2014|url-status=dead}}

The village is in the parliamentary constituency of Skipton and Ripon; the seat has been held by the Conservative Party ever since its creation in 1983.

File:Kettlewell Beck joins the River Wharfe, Kettlewell (12th February 2013).JPG

Kettlewell is situated in Upper Wharfedale around two miles upstream of where it converges with Littondale. The B6160 crosses the River Wharfe by a stone bridge. The village is situated just west of the confluence of Dowber Gill Beck and Cam Gill Beck, which join to form Kettlewell Beck flowing through the village to join the River Wharfe. There are many small bridges across Kettlewell Beck which dissect the village.

File:Disinfectant bath in road, Kettlewell - geograph.org.uk - 194201.jpg.]]

Historically Kettlewell's economy revolved around lead mining and farming. Farming was adversely affected by the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak. There are several farms which mostly rely on sheep farming. There is a small service economy serving village residents, tourists and walkers. Kettlewell is on the Dales Way and is a popular starting point for ascents of Great Whernside and Buckden Pike. Rights of way connect the village to Nidderdale and Arncliffe in Littondale. The three village pubs are on the Inn Way and the Racehorses Hotel, the Bluebell Inn and the King's Head all provide accommodation. In addition to the three inns, there are numerous guesthouses, holiday cottages and a village shop, a tasting deli, two cafés and a filling station with a mechanic's garage. There is a large YDNPA car park and the National Park Authority operates public conveniences adjacent to the main car park.

File:St Mary's church in Kettlewell - geograph.org.uk - 347645.jpg

The village has 17th and 18th century houses, including the vicarage. St Mary's Church, Kettlewell was rebuilt during the 19th century and stands on a site that dates back to 1120 when the (Norman) de Arches family established a church here. An example of 20th century architecture is the 1960s-built chapel at Scargill House, which is now a Christian conference centre.{{cite news |title=Planners approve £6.5m scheme for Christian conference centre |url=https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/8846095.plans-to-expand-scargill-house-kettlewell-win-the-go-ahead/ |access-date=20 August 2019 |work=Craven Herald |date=10 February 2011}}

Kettlewell is connected by bus to Skipton, Grassington and Buckden.{{cite web |title=The Dales Way Train & Bus Links |url=http://www.dalesway.org/downloads/Dales-Way-Buses.pdf |website=dalesway.org |access-date=22 August 2019 }} The village is the northern starting point of the {{convert|104|mi|adj=on}} Yorkshire Water Way to Langsett Reservoir in South Yorkshire.{{cite web |title=Yorkshire Water Way – LDWA Long Distance Paths |url=https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Yorkshire+Water+Way |website=www.ldwa.org.uk |access-date=22 August 2019}} Kettlewell lies on the Dales Way footpath.

The area is known for Swaledale Sheep which are extensively farmed in the area. There are deer in the area, though these are rarely sighted. There are areas of forestland to the south-east of the village, while the open valley to the north has little tree cover.

In August the village hosts a scarecrow festival where scarecrows, dressed up as different characters, are placed around the village.{{cite news |last1=Fox-Leonard |first1=Boudicca |title=The Yorkshire Dales village saved by scarecrows |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/20/yorkshire-dales-village-saved-scarecrows/ |access-date=20 August 2019 |work=The Telegraph |date=20 August 2017}}

• A children's television character from The Rottentrolls takes its name from the village.
• The 1991 series Chimera was mostly filmed in the village.
• Kettlewell represented the village of Knapely in the 2003 film, Calendar Girls.{{cite web |title=Kettlewell and the Calendar Girls |url=https://www.dalesdiscoveries.com/perfect-days-in-the-yorkshire-dales/kettlewell-in-the-steps-of-the-calendar-girls |website=dalesdiscoveries.com |access-date=20 August 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Gibbons |first1=Fiachra |title=Calendar girls hit big time in Disney deal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/17/cannes2003.cannesfilmfestival |access-date=20 August 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=17 May 2003}}
• The 2010 film The Trip includes a musical song and dance routine in the village.

• Listed buildings in Kettlewell with Starbotton

File:Kettlewell_Beck_bridge_to_Kettlewell_Church.jpg|Kettlewell Beck Bridge to Kettlewell Church

File:Blue Bell Inn, Kettlewell - geograph.org.uk - 484095.jpg|Blue Bell Inn (June 2007)

File:Racehorses Hotel, Kettlewell (12th February 2013).JPG|Racehorses Hotel (February 2013)

File:The Kings Head, Kettlewell - geograph.org.uk - 484096.jpg|King's Head (June 2007)

File:Kettlewell scarecrow.jpg|Scarecrow at the 2004 festival

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{{Commons category|Kettlewell}}

• [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/WRY/Kettlewell/index.html The ancient parish of Kettlewell], historical and genealogical information at GENUKI

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Category:Villages in North Yorkshire

Category:Wharfedale

Category:Craven District