British Food and Travel

We are continuing our weekly look at the National Parks of Great Britain. Each week, we showcase some of the highlights, uncover a few of those special places, and share tips on when to visit, where to stay, etc. This week, we’re heading to the pastoral lands of the Yorkshire Dales.

The Yorkshire Dales was designated a National Park in 1954. Every year, more than 8 million people visit the park. Roughly 20,000 residents also call this part of the country “home”. The park covers 841 square miles, mostly in the northern part of the county of Yorkshire, but with some areas expanding into Cumbria and Lancashire.

There are five official visitor centres within the national park–at Aysgarth Falls, Grassington, Hawes, Malham, and Reeth. These centres are the perfect starting point where you can buy maps and souvenirs, book accommodation, or hire a GPS or audio mp3 guide.

What to do.

The Yorkshire Dales are ripe for exploring. With their rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, they are a popular destination for walkers.The visitors centres can all provide information about trails that are accessible to wheelchairs or buggies. There are many short walks through the park; these are ideal if you are short on time (or energy), or if you want to take the dog for a stroll.

Then there are the longer walks. In some cases there are even services to make sure that your baggage is waiting for you at your next night’s stop so that you can enjoy your walk without being weighed down.The Herriot Way, named after the beloved writer and vet, follows a scenic 52 miles through valleys, fells, and moorland. The Dales Way starts in Ilkley and winds for 80 miles along riverside pathways to Bowness-in-Windemere. The truly ambitious might want to undertake the 270-mile Pennine Way, which starts down in the Peak District and ends in Scotland. Or perhaps just walk a segment of the trail as it passes through Yorkshire.

Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent, and Whernside make up the Three Peaks. It is possible to complete the challenge of climbing all three in about 12 hours. The walk itself is 24 miles, but do not attempt it without a map or the special app, available for both iPhone and Android devices.

Horseriding and cycling are other popular ways to explore the Dales, but one unexpected activity is to go underground. The limestone landscape lends itself to spelunking, otherwise known as caving or potholing. With over 2500 caves, there are plenty of opportunities for exploration below the Dales. Do not try to undertake this activity on your own if you are inexperienced. There are a number of courses and trips led by qualified guides. More information can be obtained from the British Caving Association.

 

What to see.

Visitors wanting to learn more about the history of the Yorkshire Dales and its people should make a stop at the Dales Countryside Museum. Since the museum is located in an old railway station, there are the requisite steam engines to see, but there is also much more. Bronze Age finds, historical artifacts, and local art are all on display.

One outdoor landmark that should not be missed is Malham Cove. This giant limestone formation was carved by a waterfall thousands of years ago. The cove and the limestone pavement at the top create a dramatic landscape.

Another way to see some of the remote parts of the Dales is to ride the Settle-Carlisle line railway. The 73-mile journey crosses several impressive viaducts.

While you’re visiting the Dales, you’re bound to get hungry. Luckily, this is the home of Wensleydale Cheese, not to mention some of the country’s best fish and chips. So tuck in, and enjoy.

Avoid the crowds.

While some destinations in the Yorkshire Dales, such as Bolton Abbey and Wensleydale, attract lots of visitors and school groups, you can find more peaceful areas. The northern and western parts of the park receive fewer visitors, and the landscape here has more of a wildness about it. Nidderdale is another spot that is both pretty and fairly quiet.

 

Where to stay.

Camp and caravan sites are situated throughout the park. Wild camping is not allowed unless you have permission from the landowner.

Whatever your accommodation preference–hotel, bed and breakfast, or self-catering–you will find a huge range of options to suit a variety of budgets. Our sidebar includes several affiliate links to hotel chains and cottages within the area.