Yorkshire Dales Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Locality

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of England, the Yorkshire Dales is a picturesque county park that captivates visitors with its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Spanning over 840 square miles, this idyllic region is renowned for its rolling hills, charming villages, and meandering rivers, making it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

One of the most striking features of the Yorkshire Dales is its diverse landscape. From the rugged peaks of the Pennines to the tranquil valleys carved by ancient glaciers, this region offers a myriad of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Hiking enthusiasts can embark on the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, a grueling 24-mile trek that takes them to the summits of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, offering breathtaking panoramic views along the way.

For those seeking a more leisurely experience, the Yorkshire Dales provides ample opportunities for scenic drives and peaceful walks. Explore the charming market towns of Hawes and Settle, where traditional stone buildings house quaint shops and cozy tearooms. Discover the enchanting Aysgarth Falls, a series of cascading waterfalls that have provided inspiration for poets and artists throughout the ages. Or simply unwind in the peaceful surroundings of Bolton Abbey, an ancient monastery nestled in the heart of a lush green valley.

Beyond its natural beauty, the Yorkshire Dales also boasts a rich cultural heritage. Delve into the region's history at the Dales Countryside Museum, where exhibits showcase the lives and traditions of the people who have called this area home for centuries. Visit the impressive ruins of Bolton Castle, a medieval fortress that once housed Mary, Queen of Scots during her captivity. And no trip to the Yorkshire Dales would be complete without sampling the local delicacy, Wensleydale cheese, which has been produced in the region for centuries.

Alternative names: Elevation: 1089 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 54°17'42"N, 2°6'8"W

Location

EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Yorkshire Dales Top Attractions

Yorkshire Dales Attractions - What to See and Explore

Yorkshire Dales offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Aysgarth Falls, Garsdale, Jingling Pot, Pen-y-ghent. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Natural attraction • Park • Waterfall
Aysgarth Falls
Aysgarth Falls are a triple flight of waterfalls, surrounded by woodland and farmland, carved out by the River Ure over an almost one-mile stretch on its descent to mid-Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales of England, near the village of Aysgarth.
Valley
Garsdale
Garsdale is a dale or valley in the south east of Cumbria, England, historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. It is now within the South Lakeland local government district, but is still a "Yorkshire Dale" for planning purposes.
Cave
Jingling Pot
Jingling Pot is a limestone cave in West Kingsdale, North Yorkshire, England. Located adjacent to Jingling Beck, it is a lenticular-shaped 45-metre deep shaft that descends straight from the surface.

Natural attraction • Park • Mountain
Pen-y-ghent
Pen-y-ghent or Penyghent is a fell in the Yorkshire Dales, England. It is the lowest of Yorkshire's Three Peaks at 2,277 feet; the other two being Ingleborough and Whernside. It lies 1.9 miles east of Horton in Ribblesdale.
Cave
Swinsto Cave
Swinsto Cave is a limestone cave in West Kingsdale, North Yorkshire, England. It leads into Kingsdale Master Cave and it is popular with cavers as it is possible to descend by abseiling down the pitches, retrieving the rope each time, and exiting through Valley Entrance of Kingsdale Master Cave at the base of the hill.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Semerwater
Semerwater is the second largest natural lake in North Yorkshire, England, after Malham Tarn. It is half a mile long, covers 100 acres and lies in Raydale, opposite the River Bain. A private pay and display parking area is at the foot of the lake. Semerwater attracts canoers, windsurfers, yachtsmen and fishermen.
Monastery
Ellerton Priory
Ellerton Priory was a priory of Cistercian nuns in Swaledale in North Yorkshire, England. Its ruins lie in the civil parish of Ellerton Abbey.
Mountain
Addlebrough
Addlebrough is a fell in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. It is 481 m high. Bronze Age inhabitants built homes and enclosures on the fell's southern slopes.
Lake
Fountains Fell Tarn
Fountains Fell Tarn, is an upland lake between the two peaks of Fountains Fell, in North Yorkshire, England. The tarn is close to the Pennine Way, some 4.3 miles north west of Malham Tarn, and 4.3 miles east of Horton in Ribblesdale.
54°18'53"N • 2°4'51"W
Skeldale House
Cringley House is an historic building in the English village of Askrigg, North Yorkshire. Standing on the south side of Market Place, it was built in the early-to-mid 19th century, and is now a Grade II listed building.
Church
St Matthew's Church
St Matthew's Church, Stalling Busk is a Grade II listed parish church in the Church of England in Stalling Busk, North Yorkshire.
54°6'18"N • 2°10'41"W
Malham Moor
Malham Moor is a civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England. Its population was estimated at 70 in 2015. It has a joint parish council, Kirkby Malhamdale Parish Council, with the parishes of Malham, Kirkby Malham and Hanlith.
54°23'25"N • 1°56'36"W
Reeth
Reeth, Fremington and Healaugh is a civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. It consists of the three villages of Reeth, Fremington and Healaugh.
Mountain pass
Fleet Moss
Fleet Moss is a upland area separating Wharfedale from Wensleydale in North Yorkshire, England. The area is 1,850 ft above sea level. Fleet Moss is noted for its peat blanket bog, which has been dated to the Neolithic period. The area is ombrotrophic; this means it needs rain, hail snow and fog for its nutrients.
54°18'22"N • 2°5'49"W
Virosidum
Virosidum was a Roman fort and settlement situated near to the modern town of Bainbridge, North Yorkshire, England. The site is a Scheduled monument.
Archaeological site
Castle Dykes Henge
Castle Dykes Henge is a Class I Neolithic henge earthwork in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire, England, situated between the villages of Aysgarth and Thornton Rust.
54°3'2"N • 2°1'52"W
Swinden Quarry
Swinden Quarry is 0.62 miles north of the village of Cracoe, and 1.9 miles south-west of Grassington in North Yorkshire, England. It is owned by LaFarge Tarmac.
54°18'17"N • 1°59'18"W
Carperby-cum-Thoresby
Carperby-cum-Thoresby is a civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. The parish contains the village of Carperby and the hamlets of High and Low Thoresby.
54°8'28"N • 2°20'35"W
Crummackdale
Crummackdale, is a small valley north of the village of Austwick in the Craven District of North Yorkshire, England. The Valley is drained by Austwick Beck, which flows into the River Wenning, which in turn heads westwards to empty into the Irish Sea.

Day trips

Yorkshire Dales – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Yorkshire Dales, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Gordale Scar (Malham), How Stean Gorge (Nidderdale AONB), Fountains Abbey (Ripon).

15 milesS
Natural attraction, Nature, Canyon
Gordale Scar, Malham
Gordale Scar is a dramatic limestone ravine located near the village of Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, United Kingdom. Carved out by water over thousands of years, this imposing natural wonder is a magnet for tourists, hikers, and geology enthusiasts.
14 milesSE
Canyon
How Stean Gorge, Nidderdale AONB
Nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, How Stean Gorge offers a natural spectacle that beckons the adventurous spirit. This dramatic limestone ravine, carved out over thousands of years by water erosion, is located in the scenic area of Nidderdale AONB, United...
25 milesSE
, Gothic architecture, Monastery
Fountains Abbey, Ripon
Nestled in the scenic valley of the River Skell, Fountains Abbey is a breathtaking historical gem located near the city of Ripon, in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. This majestic monastery, which dates back to the 12th century, is one of the largest and best-preserved...
50 milesE
Elegant 18th-century house and estate
Castle Howard
Castle Howard, nestled in the heart of North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, is not only a magnificent historical residence but also a museum that provides a window into the opulent world of the British aristocracy. This stately home, with its dramatic architecture...
30 milesS
Country mansion with costumes and fossils
Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley
Nestled in the charming town of Keighley, West Yorkshire, the Cliffe Castle Museum stands as a testament to the grandeur of Victorian life and the rich history of the local area. This magnificent hillside mansion, originally known as Cliffe Hall, was transformed into a...

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Best Time To Visit Yorkshire Dales

Learn when is the best time to travel to Yorkshire Dales weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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May, July and August are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in April and June.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in April, May and June. Most of it rains in January, October, November and December.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Yorkshire Dales?

The top attractions to visit in Yorkshire Dales are:

What is the best time to visit Yorkshire Dales?

May, July and August are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in April and June. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.