Yorkshire Dales - 55 to 95 miles.
Now you are ready to travel. Not far and you descend a steep hill into a tiny town, then rest awhile by a reservoir. At its head a tiny village secures panoramic views of the dale, and a stream trickles by the road with windswept bushes securely lodged between the rocks.
You travel yet further to mountainous terrain with powerful waterfalls and hidden hamlets, you pass the remnants of bygone industry absorbed into the beautiful landscape. You pass a limestone cliff, a secluded lake and descend to a sedate spa town for the evening. After a gourmet meal, you enjoy a concert.
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Countryside.
A kaleidoscope of terrain, from moorland to marsh, civilisation to solitude. Crags and escarpments, caves and waterfalls, reservoirs and plantations – not too far to visit from Rains Farm.
Places to visit.
- Aysgarth – this village would not be so well-known except for its triple falls and ancient bridge.
- Catterick – famous for its army camp and racecourse, old Catterick is actually pretty attractive.
- Clapham – picturesque wooded estate village divided by a beck and start for many mountain walks.
- Grassington – a market town since the middle ages, it hosts an annual Christmas fair.
- Harrogate – former spa town famous for its ‘Stray’ parkland and now host to many conferences.
- Hawes – effectively the capital of Upper Wensleydale, Hawes is famous for rope making and cheese.
- Horton in Ribblesdale – a tiny village high in the Pennines and in the wake of Pen-y-Ghent.
- Ilkley – Victorian spa town with speciality shops, ancient bridge and famous moorland.
- Ingleton – well-known since the 18th century for its nearby caves, and now famous for its waterfalls walks.
- Kettlewell – former market town in a picturesque riverside setting, hosting an annual scarecrow festival.
- Knaresborough – sister town to Harrogate with a 14th century castle and magnificent bridge over the Nidd valley.
- Leyburn – sedate market town with spectacular views from the ‘Shawl’, a natural limestone terrace.
- Linton – historic and extremely picturesque wooded village with several ancient bridges and historic buildings.
- Masham – a market town since 1250, this village sports a mainly 15th century church with 8th century cross.
- Muker – architecturally very much the product of the late 18th century, this pleasant village hosts an annual agricultural show.
- Otley – small market town on the edge of the Dales and home of cabinet-maker Thomas Chippendale.
- Pateley Bridge – historic river crossing with steeply inclined streets and ruined mediaeval church on the headland.
- Reeth – a former lead mining settlement which now has a picturesque village green surrounded by 18th century houses.
- Richmond – historic market town with an 11th century castle and huge cobbled market square.
- Ripon – Smallest city with an obelisk in the market square and a cathedral erected at the end of the 12th century.
- Settle – bustling market town in the foothills of the Pennines and at the start of a picturesque railway line.
- Skipton – market town on the colourful Leeds-Liverpool canal with a rebuilt 11th century castle.
- Wetherby – bustling market town with 10 butchers’ ‘Shambles’ shops now converted to a covered market.
Heritage
- Bolton Abbey – walks through historic estate and woodland with Abbey and Strid waterfall.
- Constable Burton Hall Gardens – Romantic garden with walks and tulip festival.
- Harrogate, Royal Pump Room Museum – Tells the story of Harrogate as a spa town and Europe’s most potent sulphur well.
- Hawes, Dales Country Museum – time trail through centuries of Yorkshire’s countryside.
- Knaresborough Castle – Mediaeval castle with keep, dungeon and museum.
- Knaresborough, Mother Shipton’s Cave – Home of folklore prophetess and petrifying well.
- Leyburn, Bolton Castle - built late 14th century with links to Mary Queen of Scots and English Civil War.
- Middleham Castle – 11th to 16th century castle rising to 20 metres used as base for Wars of Roses.
- Richmond, Kiplin Hall – 17th Century Jacobean Hunting Lodge in undulating parkland.
- Ripley Castle and grounds – Castle and estate village dating from 1555 including walled gardens.
- Ripon, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal – 12th Century Abbey and 18th Century Georgian garden.
- Ripon, Newby Hall and Gardens – Georgian country house with Robert Adam interiors and 25 acres of gardens.
- Ripon Cathedral – relatively small cathedral with fine west front and ancient Saxon crypt.
- Skipton Castle – pleasingly complete and well-preserved mediaeval castle with dungeon and watchtower.
Arts and Crafts
- Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate – Mainly 19th and 20th century artists and touring exhibitions.
- The Teapottery, Leyburn – Watch teapots being made by hand.
Natural World
- Parcevall Hall Gardens nr Skipton – 16 acres of formal and woodland gardens laid out in early 20th Century.
- RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate – 58 acres of gardens with trails and displays.
- Thorpe Perrow Arboretum and the Falcons of Thorp Perrow, Bedale – 85 acres of woodland walks plus bird of prey centre.
Activities
Variety of territories for walking and cycling – see our features section for more information.
- Golf at Baildon, Bedale, Ben Rhydding, Bingley, Ilkley, Masham, Richmond, Ripon, Settle, Skipton.
- Cycle hire at Harrogate, Hawes, Ilkley, Otley, Richmond, Ripon, Settle and Skipton
- Canal boat trips from Skipton
- Pony trekking from Malham.
Attractions
- Lightwater Valley nr Ripon – Theme park with shopping village and birds of prey centre.
- Racecourses at Catterick, Ripon and Wetherby.
- Settle to Carlisle Railway – main line travelling through Yorkshire Dales over several viaducts.
Nearest Tourist Information
- Grassington Tourist Information Centre Colvend, Grassington 01228 625602.
- Harrogate Tourist Information Centre Royal Baths Crescent Road 01423 537300.
- Hawes Tourist Information Centre Dales Countryside Museum Station Yard 01969 667450.
- Ilkley Tourist Information Centre Station Rd 01943 602319.
- Knaresborough Tourist Information Centre 9 Castle Court, Market Place 01423 866886.
- Leyburn Tourist Information Centre 4 Central Chambers, Market Place 01969 623069.
- Otley Tourist Information Centre 4 Boroughgate 0113 247 7707.
- Pateley Bridge Tourist Information Centre 18 High Street 01423 711147.
- Richmond Tourist Information Centre Friary Gardens, Victoria Road 01748 850252.
- Ripon Tourist Information Centre Minster Road, Ripon 01765 604625.
- Settle Tourist Information Centre Town Hall, Cheapside 01729 825192.
- Skipton Tourist Information Centre 35 Coach St 01969 652380.
- Wetherby Tourist Information Centre 17 Westgate 01937 582151.
Photos (top to bottom): Gowthwaite reservoir nr Pateley Bridge. View from Middlesmoor. Malham cove. Stream in Langstrothdale. Cow and Calf Rocks nr Ilkley. Aysgarth Falls. Bridge at Knaresborough. Montpellier shopping area, Harrogate. One of the 'three peaks' Pen-y-Ghent, seen from Horton in Ribblesdale. Ribblehead viaduct on Settle to carlisle railway.
© Philip Maybury, Authentic Internet / PageSlaves 2006. Although the contents of this page have been included in good faith, neither Authentic Internet, Rains Farm nor any of thier suppliers can be held responsible for any inaccuracy, or any visitor's reliance upon the content. Visitors should always verify this information with a third party (such as for example a Tourist Information Centre).