Winter clings on in the quiet of the Dales

But Dales villages are only just emerging from the icy weather, and at Gunnerside, in Upper Swaledale, snow still provides a backdrop for a patchwork of drystone walls and barns.

Looking here towards Great Shunner Fell, the third highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales remains covered with a white blanket. Scaling the peak during the winter is not for the faint-hearted, but those who do brave the freezing temperatures can take respite in Gunnerside's traditional Yorkshire Dales pub.

The King's Head dates back to the 1760s and through the centuries it has been a focal point of village life. Like much else in Swaledale, it has witnessed many changes over the years.

In the 18th and 19th centuries Swaledale was a centre for lead mining. Ruined mine buildings are dotted across the landscape and the scars left by the industry, while faint, are still visible from the road at the bottom of the valley.

Today, Swaledale is known for its profusion of wildflowers and its breed of round-horned sheep, and as part of the popular coast-to-coast walk route, the area has become something of a Mecca for walkers.

But with no large towns, its quiet beauty remains.

Tech details: Nikon D2Xs camera, 70-200mm lens at 130mm with an exposure of 1/250th sec at f10, ISO 200.