The Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes has this week been recognised as a ‘hidden gem’ by VisitEngland.
The venue is one of only three attractions in Yorkshire to receive the accolade.
In response Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority member champion for promoting understanding, Kevin Frea, said: “An assessor from VisitEngland came to the museum in the summer and clearly they enjoyed the experience.
“The ‘hidden gem’ accolade is given only to top quality attractions.
“It’s great to have the Dales Countryside Museum recognised in this way.
“The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority owns and runs the museum and its staff and volunteers have worked hard over many years to make the DCM the place to go to for remarkable stories of ordinary Dales folk and the National Park.
“Receiving the collection of the former Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum from Earby in 2017 was a particular catalyst for change and investment.
“Making space for such industrial treasures as the Providence Mine Ore Crusher has led to us creating fresh galleries for other parts of the collection, such as textiles.
“An upgrade to the exhibition hall has meant our special exhibitions are even more special, with this year’s exhibitions telling stories about Dales schools, fell runners and hand knitters.
“We’ve also improved our digital offering, making our oral history collection publicly accessible this year via the Voices From The Dales podcast.
“Much of this has been possible owing to grants from Museum Development Yorkshire, the Arts Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Friends of the DCM. Their support has meant we have been able to work more with local people and organisations to find and tell compelling stories.
“The Dales Countryside Museum is open seven days a week until Christmas and our current special exhibition is a striking display of knitting sticks from the John Dixon Collection. There’s a shop stocked with local goods, as well as a café on site, too. I recommend making a date to visit this ‘Hidden Gem’.”
