Squirrels and cheese are an unlikely combination but they came together in a recent edition of the BBC television's Countryfile programme featuring the Yorkshire Dales. 

Whilst John Craven was following in the footsteps of 12th century monks at Jervaulx Abbey making some famous Wensleydale cheese; Julia Bradbury was spotting squirrels at Snaizedale near Hawes.

The now-ruined Jervaulx Abbey, which is five miles from Masham, was home to an order of Cistercian monks.  It is thought the monks were responsible for producing the very first Wensleydale cheese, so beloved of Wallace and Gromit. The edition of Countryfile, first aired on Sunday February 3rd, shows John helping an artisan cheese maker recreate the original recipe for the cheese in the snowy grounds of the abbey.

Jervaulx Abbey

A view through one of the arched windows

The native red squirrel is a rare site but they are flourishing in a reserve close to Hawes - an hour's drive from Masham. A trail has been created and visitors can spy on the squirrels from a specially-constructed viewpoint in the woods. For more details visit the Yorkshire Dales National Park website. www.yorkshiredales.org.uk

Parkland surrounding Jervaulx Abbey