Nidderdale businesses back the great revival of postcard writing

More than 180 Dales businesses are inspiring visitors to rediscover the joy of traditional holiday postcards

Good old-fashioned holiday postcards are having a “bit of a moment” after Nidderdale businesses got involved with a postcard writing campaign to the delight of visitors.

In total, 180 visitor-facing businesses across both the Dales and the North York Moors have signed up to the postcard revival, including Studfold at Lofthouse, the Himalayan Garden at Grewelthorpe and Little North Field near Bishop Thornton.

The Picture Perfect campaign, a Tourism Network initiative, aims to inspire visitors to write holiday postcards as a way of encouraging people to slow down and take a break from digital life, while using the opportunity to send a personalised ‘thinking of you’ message to someone close.

Autumnal colours in the Sunrise Border at the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park in Grewelthorpe, near Ripon

Visitor-facing businesses, including restaurants, shops, pubs, attractions, guesthouses and self-catering providers, have been offering both postcards and stamps to visitors, or recommending places to buy and write them, to help people to join in.

Early indications suggest tourists are enjoying the novelty of penning personalised messages and finding the postboxes to send them; 156 years since the Post Office first introduced postcards.

Reviving a holiday favourite - In total, 180 visitor-facing businesses across both the Dales and the North York Moors have signed up to the postcard campaign. (Picture contributed)

Susan Briggs, of the Tourism Network, said: “People are realising there’s a real joy in writing a thoughtful message and receiving proper post which is why postcards are having a moment, including finding a new fan-base at events such as music festivals with youngsters liking the retro novelty of sending a card.

"Our visitors love the less hurried and more traditional way of life they find in North Yorkshire and we know that over 90 per cent of visitors say they’d recommend the area to others.

"It’s a terrific means of making the Dales and North York Moors a talking point when a scenic postcard lands on somebody’s doormat

"Encouraging people to send a postcard is the perfect way for them to pause, enjoy a drink, which then helps support local cafes and pubs, while enjoying the nostalgic feel of handwriting a message.”

Kiplin Hall in Richmond has even earmarked a new area of their garden, called the Silent Space, for people to sit quietly and write their postcards.