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• The village of Grinton is in Swaledale where the green fertile land of the lower dale starts to change to the more rugged upper dale.
• Swaledale is the most northerly main dale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
• The name Grinton means 'the green pasture' in Old English.
• The first known reference to Grinton is in 1086.
• It is on the south bank of the River Swale, reputedly the fastest flowing river in England.*1
• It was at the first place above Richmond where the river could usually be forded.
• This crossing place was vital for the transport of lead by pony from the many mines & mills in Swaledale.
• The Mother Church of St Andrew, 'The Cathedral of the Dale' was built at this crossing point.