1. The Scenery
One of our favourite things about the Yorkshire Dales has to be the spectacular scenery it has to offer. With stunning lakes and rivers, hills and valleys dotted with iconic dry stone walls, grand waterfalls and charming little villages, the views across the Dales are simply breath-taking!
2. The Cycle Routes
Renowned for our cycle routes thanks to the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Dales is a cyclist’s dream! With a variety of different roads and terrain, our network of routes lend themselves to both road and mountain biking, stretching from short family-friendly rides out to tougher enthusiast’s cycleways.
3. The Footpaths
We are incredibly lucky in the Dales to have a huge number of well-maintained footpaths that take you on stunning routes across our countryside! We’re nicely placed to walk the oldest National Trail in England too – the Pennine Way!
4. The Pubs and Cafes
One of the most important parts when visiting somewhere is the food and drink to accompany your stay! From cosy country pubs to quaint coffee shops, the Dales certainly has no shortage when comes to places to refuel!
5. The History
Our local area is truly rich in history, with numerous iconic historic monuments and attractions to visit. From prehistoric rock formations and a number of stunning abbeys and castles, to a fantastically restored Georgian Theatre that still hosts live performances to this day, there is an endless list for budding historians to tick off their bucket list. Even our place names give insight into our history!
6. The Skies
Towards the end of 2020, it was announced that the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks had been designated International Dark Sky Reserves, together becoming one of the largest areas in Europe to be simultaneously designated! Due to the lack of large settlements in the Yorkshire Dales, it means we have some of the darkest skies in the country, so looking up at the night’s sky you’ll see thousands of stars. You might also see the constellations of Orion, Pegasus and the Summer Triangle or even our Galaxy and the Northern Lights if you’re lucky!
7. The Culture
The Yorkshire Dales are host to a number of local festivals, events, shows and fairs to celebrate the local area and culture. From agricultural shows to music and arts festivals, there’s something for everyone! Why not check out The Wensleydale Show or the Swaledale Festival on your next visit to the Dales?
Harry Potter fans will also love the area as there are plenty of filming locations and some of J K Rowling’s spots of inspiration dotted around for you to visit, including Malham Cove and the Ribblehead Viaduct.
8. The Local Produce
Cheese-lovers in particular will enjoy a visit to the Dales. Of course, when you hear ‘Wensleydale’ you’ll often think of the cheese first, it’s Wallace and Gromit’s favourite! While Wensleydale is the most famous, Coverdale, Swaledale and Ribblesdale all have their own distinct recipes that you need to try. And, it’s not just cheese that the Dales have to offer; we also locally produce jams and preserves, beers and ales, and pies and fat rascals!