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The Yorkshire Dales have been attracting visitors since the dawn of the railways and recreational travel. The varied and dramatic landscapes, the characterful communities and events as well as commitment to great food and drink have made it one of the most iconic locations in the country.

The Yorkshire Dales are more than just a geographical area; they are a way of life.

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Made by the elements

Formed over millions of years by water and glacial erosion, the Dales are a diverse collection of landscapes, each one unique and recognisable with its own communities and traditions.

Historically travel along a valley was much easier than between valleys. The valley floors are more fertile and easier to farm, while the fells (hilltops) were subject to harsher weather. Communities developed along the length of valleys, and the rivers that formed them, meaning each individual dale developed quite differently.

Life in the Yorkshire Dales is still very much inspired by the agricultural calendar, with agricultural shows and local events that bring the communities together with celebrations at high points throughout the year.

Stump Cross Caverns
Family Attractions
Pateley Bridge
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Stump Cross Caverns

Stump Cross Caverns is a family-owned business and the custodian of miles of underground caverns on the North Yorkshire...

Kiplin Hall & Gardens
Garden Attractions
Yorkshire Dales
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Kiplin Hall & Gardens

A house and gardens with 400 years of history in the heart of North Yorkshire. This distinctive Jacobean house...

Ingleborough Cave
Attractions
Skipton
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Ingleborough Cave

Ingleborough Cave, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, was first discovered in 1837 by brave Victorian...

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Made in the Dales

The Yorkshire Dales have also given us many popular foods and drinks, countless kinds of cheese herald from the Dales, though none so popular as Wensleydale. To this day many breweries operate in the Dale crafting a range of ales inspired by local life and ingredients, and the town of Masham is regarded by many as the capital of Dales brewing.

In recent years there has seen a resurgence in traditional crafts and trades, including wool, carving and glasswork. This has seen a new generation of craftsmen and women learn the skills that it was once feared would be lost within a generation.

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Do in the Dales

As well as its valleys the Yorkshire Dales is also famous for its peaks, the ‘Three Peaks’ of Ribbledale are a famed walking challenge, as is Great Whernside at the top of Nidderdale and Simon’s Seat, a popular walk destination overlooking Wharfedale.

One of the most popular walks is the Nidderdale Way, a circular route of 53 miles that tours Nidderdale from top to bottom, and back again. In early 2017 Claire Balding walked the Nidderdale Way in 6 days for the popular BBC Radio 4 Series, Ramblings.

The constantly undulating landscape in the Dales has also made it a popular destination for cyclists even before the Tour de France visited in 2014, and the repeated editions of the Tour de Yorkshire in the years since.

Great Greenhow MTB route
Stay Active
Pateley Bridge
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Great Greenhow MTB route

This 25 mile cross-country route takes you far from the town and villages and up onto the remote moors...

The Coldstones Cut
Arts & Culture
Pateley Bridge
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The Coldstones Cut

The sculpture functions as an array of platforms from which visitors can view both the spectacular quarry hole and...

Grimwith Reservoir Walk
Dog Friendly Walks
Pateley Bridge
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Grimwith Reservoir Walk

Perched in the high dales hills between Pateley Bridge and the town Grassington is one of the more atmospheric...

Riverside Caravan Park and Holiday Cottages
Camping
Yorkshire Dales
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Riverside Caravan Park and Holiday Cottages

Riverside Caravan Park is a beautifully maintained family caravan park. It offers a safe, peaceful environment in the Yorkshire...

Wenningdale Escapes
Stay
Yorkshire Dales
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Wenningdale Escapes

Wenningdale Escapes is luxury lodge and glamping development with stunning views onto the Yorkshire three peaks and Lake District...

Bentham Golf Course
Stay Active
Yorkshire Dales
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Bentham Golf Course

Bentham Golf Course is situated in the Three Peaks area of North Yorkshire and has stunning scenery of Ingleborough...

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