About the Area

Surrounding attractions:

Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent, the Three Peaks, all around 700 metres high, are probably the most popular outdoor areas in the Yorkshire Dales National Park due to the wild landscape, the limestone features, and the hill walking potential. As many as 120,000 people climb Ingleborough each year.

Ribblehead, at the top of Ribblesdale, is in the centre of the Three Peaks and is itself famous for the Ribblehead Viaduct where the Settle-Carlisle Railway crosses the boggy moor. This was the site of an infamous shanty town during the railway construction, a task which required many tunnels, viaducts and bridges, and cost many lives. The ascent of Whernside is tackled from the Ribblehead area.

The village of Ingleton is surrounded by magnificent countryside with caves, waterfalls, and mountains. The Craven Fault crosses the area, and geological and archaeological sites abound.

Local attractions include the underground world of White Scar Cave, Britain's longest show cave, and the Waterfalls Walk through woodland gorges with spectacular waterfalls.

Bolton Abbey is the beautiful estate of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Today, Bolton Abbey Estate comprises 30,000 acres. It still remains a working Estate as it was hundreds of years ago. Explore this historic estate with its medieval buildings or simply relax beside the river Wharfe and enjoy being in this romantic landscape whilst the children play. With over 80 miles of moorland, woodland and riverside footpaths, with walks for all ages and abilities there is something for everyone.

In the Aire gap separating the Craven limestone Dales to the north, gritstone moors to the south, and the pastoral Ribble valley to the west, Skipton is an attractive and bustling market town serving a large rural area.

Just outside the National Park boundary, Skipton prides itself on being 'The Gateway to the Dales'. Attractions to visit include Skipton Castle, Bolton Abbey and the beautiful Parcevall Hall Gardens.

Settle is a bustling market town in the foothills of the Pennines amongst some of the most picturesque scenery in North Yorkshire. The town stands beside the largest outcrop of limestone in Britain - in a region of scars, cliffs, caves and potholes. At the rear of the town a zigzag footpath leads to the summit of Castleberg crag offering a vantage point of the town in its dale and fell. Settle is a good base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales.

The fame of Harrogate as a spa town can be attributed to William Slingsby who discovered spring waters (similar to those he had drunk abroad) in a well at Harrogate called the Tewitt well. Today a dome marks the site of the well on the large open space in the centre of Harrogate called the Stray.

Also justifiably proud of being "England's Floral District", the Harrogate District overflows with beautiful parks, floral displays and gardens, both public and those belonging to historic houses, castles and abbeys.