Mural unveiled in Grassington

An artist has created a “joyful” mural for children at Grassington National Park Visitor Centre, as all four visitor centres in the Yorkshire Dales National Park move to seven days a week opening.

Kat Honey from Hellifield has painted a drystone wall and sunset skies, set behind a real wooden gate and signpost. The mural has animals such as a mouse, hedgehog, red squirrel and barn owl for children to find.

The artwork is intended to promote understanding of the National Park.

National Park Visitor Centres at Aysgarth Falls, Malham and Hawes – along with Grassington – began opening seven days a week, from 10 – 5pm, at the start of April. 

Kat Honey, who teaches art in Harrogate and is a community artist, said:  “The mental health of the Dales is incredible, walking through the hills, seeing those sunsets, so for me this mural is trying to capture that essence, the joyfulness, light and colour, and those amazing glimpses of wildlife that we get.

“I adore drystone walls. Every one has a different bit of colour, a different dimple or dent, or moss, so I could spend hours longer on those stones in the mural.”

Member Champion for Promoting Understanding at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Neil Heseltine, said:   “Our National Park Visitor Centres are a great starting point for people coming here this Easter, and can help people discover the special qualities of this area.  

“Grassington is buzzing at the moment, and I’m sure children will enjoy Kat Honey’s new mural in the visitor centre.   We want children to come in and think, Ooh, what’s this all about?”