Access to Keld
The B6270 passes through Swaledale and on to Kirkby Stephen skirting Keld as it goes. The drive time from Richmond is about 45 minutes. A bus from Richmond runs to Keld three times a day.
The Village of Keld
The name Keld comes from the Norse meaning a spring. It consists of a close-knit cluster of houses, a farm, chapel, village hall and several other buildings (visit Keld Resource Centre) above the River Swale where it runs through a gorge. The buildings are of stone quarried locally and the whole village viewed from adjacent high ground is seen to nestle into its surroundings. On the wall of the chapel is a sundial. Wainwright refers to the sundial but adds ‘in Keld time is measured in centuries.’ The United Reformed Church owns the chapel, adjoining manse, a tiny old school building and an institute. The buildings other than the chapel had fallen into disrepair. The Keld Resource Centre, an independent charity, is developing these buildings for the benefit of the public. The Manse is now a well-appointed holiday let, and the ground floor of the Institute a Heritage Centre with displays of local interest. In addition an area adjacent to the churchyard is now a Well-Being Garden.
Around Keld
Keld lies within the highest concentration of waterfalls in the whole of England, there being 9 significant falls within a mile. The Swale rushes through a deep gorge towards the village of Muker. Surrounding Keld are pasture and hay fields capped by open moorland. The whole area is well supplied with footpaths.