Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival - what is it?

Now entering its Silver Jubilee this year the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. And I’ll be honest I had never heard of it and had no idea what it is.

So off I popped to have a look the website and it really does look like a lot of fun. Held over a week from the 10th to 18th of August in Kettlewell in upper Wharfedale (about an hour from Swale View) local people create Scarecrows based on their profession or on famous celebrities and these are dotted about the village in order for you to spot as you wander around. They are hidden in odd places as well so keep those eyes peeled!

There are two trails to follow and tick off the scarecrows you see and whole streets have been filled with characters from the Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

As well as the Scarecrows there are of course lots of homemade cakes and sandwiches available from the village hall, plenty of parking (£3 a day) for you and daily prize draws once you have competed the trails. There are trails for children and also for adults.

Kettlewell itself is a lovely village, lots of open areas to talk a walk and have a picnic if you choose.

En route there are a couple of decent pubs I have been to, the Fox & Hounds at Starbotton has a nice wee garden at the front and you can watch the cars and bikes go past and if you head into Grassington we had a decent pint at The Devonshire.

Hopefully I will get to visit during the festival and see what all the fuss is about, looks like fun!

Don’t forget to check out our July events page as well as some events run into August.