The Yorkshire Dales-the jewel in Yorkshire’crown-is arguably one of my favourite areas in the whole of England. I first ’’discovered’’ the Dales in the late 1960’s and like the vet and writer James Herriot, fell in love with the region immediately.
There is something really special about the Yorkshire Dales and I recall Dennis Healey, the best PM Labour never had, being asked about his very favourite trip. He said it would be over Blubberhouse Moor past Bolton Abbey and up through Wharefedale.I must say I totally agree with him.
The Yorkshire Dales is undeniably scenically one of the loveliest areas in Great Britain. A good deal of the landscape could be called limestone country with verdant green valleys or dales created with white limestone cliffs traversing through wilder uplands beneath towering peaks -or fells- of dark millstone grit. The Dales are replete with the fields, farms and pastures being enclosed with highly distinctive white drystone walls.
So the area has a natural wild beauty of staggering proportions all moulded sensitively through the centuries by man. A nigh on perfect combination. Among the truly magnificent natural attractions are the likes of Malham Gorge, the waterfalls at Ingleton, and Hardraw Force, and the peaks at Ingleton, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent. Then there is the delightful Bolton Abbey, gorgeous and picturesque small towns such as Grassington, Pately Bridge, Hawes, and Settle, the Penine Way for walkers and the Settle Carlisle Railway for rail enthusiasts.
Unfortunately I do not know the smaller dales such as Littondale, Coverdale, Bishopdale or Arkengarthdale very well but I adore Wharfdale, Wensleydale and Ribbledale.
There are hotels in the towns on the edge of the Dales such as Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, Thirsk, and a few in the Dales themselves such as Stone House Hotel near Hawes, Back Hall, Malham, and Craiglands Guest House, Grassington. There are some inns and farms offering homestay facilities and also some youth hostels are to be found in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, whose HQ is at Leyburn. There are a number of classy restaurants at places such as Skipton, Otley, Settle. Harrogate, Ripon and Thirsk and you can find good pub grub in Pately Bridge, Grassington and the village hostelries. You will usually end up getting good value for money-remember you are in Yorkshire !
Well there you have it- a short round up of one of the loveliest areas you will ever come across. If you have yet to visit the Yorkshire Dales I would strongly recommend you put it at the top of your priority must see areas of England. Ten stars out of ten from me !
Thanks for reading !