Yorkshire Dales National Park and North Pennines AONB

The evocative Yorkshire Dales National Park consist of 40 dales, the Nordic word for valley, spread over four main areas to the west of the Vale of York, contained by Settle, Sedburgh, Richmond and Skipton on a map. The Dales are mainly in North and West Yorkshire but spill over into Cumbria too.

Comforting names like Swaledale, Arkengarthdale and Wensleydale abound. Wensleydale is a lush wide wooded valley and hidden waterfalls including Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force. Hawes, in Upper Wensleydale, is a busy market tow. Local cottage industry thrives including Wensleydale cheese and ropemaking for visitors to see. The Dales Countryside Museum and National Park Centre are for those interested in traditional countryside life. The 'Three Peaks' of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside, to be completed in 12 hours, challenges the hardiest of ramblers and traditionally starts and finishes at Pen-y-gent caf'. A 'must-do' is a trip on the scenic 'saved' Settle to Carlisle railway. Marvel at the 24 arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct, admiring the Dales from a dry vantage point!