Yorkshire Dales
Our tranquil location between the Lune and Eden valleys is within the North-Western part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The combined area of Ravenstonedale and The Howgill Fells was one of the largest new areas to be included in the extension of the park in 2016 and with it the requirements to conserve and enhance natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
There is plenty to explore in “The Dales” and we have put together a few suggestions below.
Our Top Picks
WALKING
The valleys, moors, hills and caverns of the Yorkshire Dales are etched with miles and miles of rolling footpaths so we suggest getting out to explore this atmospheric limestone landscape.
Whether it be the hayflower meadows of Swaledale, Malham Cove, the falls around Aysgarth or the fells of Upper Wharfedale; there is plenty to choose from. We recommend having a browse through the “Walkshire” website for ideas across all parts of the park or have a chat with your host Richard who is a qualified Mountain Leader and can offer plenty of advice and suggestions.
#Walkshire - Our routes, your walks | Welcome to Yorkshire
If you are feeling energetic the “Three Peaks” of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside are among the best known hills in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Every year thousands come to reach the top of at least one, or to conquer all three by taking on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge.
FORBIDDEN CORNER
The Forbidden Corner | Tourist Attraction in North Yorkshire was orginally built as a private folly but due to popular demand was opened to the public. It was created by Mr C.R.Armstrong CMG O.B.E and is a maze of follies, tunnels and chambers set in four acres of Tupgill park. A fantastic day out for magical adventures.
WENSLEYDALE CREAMERY
Wensleydale Creamery is home of the famous Wensleydale crumbly cheese featured in Wallace and Gromit! Explore and learn all about how the cheese is made on a tour around the factory, great for the whole family, with activities and games, watch clips of Wallace and Gromit films. Visit the cheese shop and café to finish off the day.
MALHAM
Malham is a pretty village in the South of The Dales. Mentioned in the Domesday book as ‘Malgun’, Malham has been a settlement for at least a thousand years and is home to two of the most impressive sights in the whole of the Yorkshire Dales
Malham Cove is a huge curving cliff formed from limestone rock. The vertical face of the cliff is about 260 feet high and at the end of the last ice age was a huge waterfall. The top of the cove, which you can walk up to, is a large area of limestone pavement and the home to Perigrins which sweep overhead.
Also in the area is Gordale Scar which is a spectacular gorge cut into the limestone hillside. The gorge was produced by water from melting glaciers and is one of the highlights of a visit to Malham.
The waterfall and pools of Janet’s Foss and Malham Tarn make up the other highlights of the area and all four of these sights can be visited by following this classic circular walking route.
WHITE SCAR CAVES
The longest show cave in Britain, White Scar Cave has a guided tour that is well worth a visit.
This is an amazing place, so unique with friendly staff, knowledgeable tour guides, incredible underground scenery and delicious food at the café. Definitely a must do trip .
INGLETON WATERFALLS TRAIL
A 4½ mile trail, via a series of spectacular waterfalls, through ancient woodland and beautiful Yorkshire Dales scenery. A good one for families although it does need a bit of effort in places! The trail is signposted along the way and you can grab a coffee at various places around the route. The pathways etc are all well looked after but still allow 3-4 hours.
AYSGARTH FALLS
Aysgarth Falls are a triple flight of waterfalls surrounded by woodland carved out by the River Ure over an almost one-mile stretch. The falls are quite spectacular after heavy rainfall as thousands of gallons of water cascade over the series of broad limestone steps, which are divided into three stages: Upper Force, Middle Force and Lower Force. Aysgarth Falls have attracted visitors for more than 200 years and the falls were featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves!
There is a visitors' centre nearby with an exhibition, information, a café, toilets and parking.
We can also highly recommend the Aysgarth Falls Hotel for a spot of lunch or a pint after a few hours exploring the area.
SETTLE TO CARLISLE RAILWAY AND RIBBLEHEAD VIADUCT
The Settle to Carlisle Railway is one of the most scenic and impressive railways in the UK heading through the wild scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. Completed in 1876 by the Midland Railway Company it took just 6 years to build!
It goes through 14 tunnels along its 72 mile route and crosses 21 viaducts including the spectactular Ribblehead Viaduct and its 24 stone arches. The viaduct is just a short walk from Ribblehead station. And there is plenty of road side car parking nearby. The path adjacent to the viaduct heads North (eventually up to the summit of Whernside) but if you go far enough you can look back and see that actually the viaduct has a gentle curve to it. What a masterpiece of engineering.
