It is accessible by a single track road, which runs the length of the dale and over the pass to Kettlewell in Wharfedale.

Ekwall suggested that it might mean "hollow stream", but more recently Andrew Breeze has argued that it is cognate with Welsh gofer "streamlet".

[5][6] In the 18th century, the road through Coverdale from Kettlewell to Middleham was used as the route of coaches between London and Richmond.

Coverdale cheese is of the same general texture and flavour as Wensleydale, but thought by some to be slightly sourer and therefore possessing greater 'edge'.

[9] The Coverbridge Pub has at least two claims to fame including having been the hiding place of monks who kept alive the recipe of Wensleydale cheese during the sacking of Jervaulx Abbey by troops loyal to King Henry VIII, and, the scene of the first formally recorded game of cricket in 1706.