We plan to spend a day exploring Yorkshire Dales NP during a drive from Penrith to York in June. Though I've studied several guides about the area and have watched several YouTube videos I'd be curious to hear from anyone who's visited the park about any lesser known little gems that they particularly enjoyed.
This will be an all day meander for us and I'd like to make the most of it. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Yorkshire
1279 posts
Hi Robert -
It’s a big old area and you could spend several days exploring by car. In the end it depends what you are interested in. I can give you a couple of ‘if it were me’ suggestions though.
From Penrith I’d head down the M6 and turn off left for Sedbergh then follow the road through to Dent. Both Sedbergh and Dent are worth a brief exploration, especially Dent’s cobbled central street (but you wouldn’t want to drive there). Alleged vampire buried near church door! From Dent follow the road through Cowgill, past The Sportsman’s Arms to ultimately meet a road at a t-junction near Gearstones (nothing actually there just a building of the same name). Right takes you down to the Ribblehead viaduct but I’d go left towards Hawes (the ‘capital of the Dales’ and the largest town in the area). Continuing onwards through Bainbridge, I’d look for the right turn that takes you to West Burton towards Cray and ultimately down Wharfedale through Bucken, Starbotton, Kettlewell, Kilnsey and ultimately to Grassington. Grassington is home to the exteriors of The Drovers (Devonshire Arms in real life) and Skeldale House (somebody’s house!) of the recent remake of James Herriot’s ‘All Creatures Great And Small’. The interiors of ‘The Drovers’ are filmed in the Green Dragon at Hardraw, just north of Hawes).
From Grassington take the road to Burnsall and onwards to Bolton Abbey - parking here is not cheap as it’s all owned by the Devonshire Estate, but there are lots of footpaths through Strid Woods and the Priory itself is worth a visit, especially if the working half is open. Beyond Bolton Abbey at Bolton Bridge, take the A59 via Blubberhouses, Harrogate (a former spa town, a little like Bath) and Knaresborough (castle) through to York.
Alternatively, don’t turn right to Wharfedale but head across to Masham taking in Middleham en route (castle of the young Richard lll). Jervaulx Abbey ruins nearby. From Masham (several breweries!) head towards Ripon diverting to Fountains Abbey (very extensive monastic ruins) and Studley Royal Water Gardens (also extensive). From Ripon head across to the A1 and head south until you turn off left again on the A59 to York.
Some of the roads in the Dales are very narrow - surfaced cart tracks if we are honest, but you need to use them to see the more remote (thus interesting) bits of the area. Observe the speed limits - always sensible!
Ian
Posted by
Yorkshire
1209 posts
Well
I can recommend the AWJ truckstop it's just over the M6 as you leave the Lakes on the A66
It's a cut above anyother I know
If it's York you are heading for and want to see stuff .the Hartside Pass has the widest ranging view in England and it's a national tragedy the cafe burnt down.
Alston is cute.
Teesdale waterfalls
Then cut south to Tan Hill to enter Gods Own Country and tbe Dales.
That said if course the logical route is just following the A66 and cutting off there on the minor road to Tan Hill.
As the Song says ," beautifull Dale ,home of the Swale how well do I love thee,how well I do love thee"
Next problem is it's all beautiful maybe except Riddlesdale south of Ribblehead although the museumn ( free) at the station / cafe is worth a look.
Wharfedale is my favourite dale
Check the pews at church at Hubberholme for evidence of the Mousemans work.
Pub is bang average but the White Lion at Cray nearby gets rave reviews
Posted by
Yorkshire
1209 posts
Laughing, I was going to mention "Sedber" as it's in the Yorkshire Dales but alas the poor citizens are in Cumbria....we are working on that mind.
My fellow tyke is right though the minor road to Ribblehead after Cowgill is great and brings you to near enough The Old Hill Inn pub
Ya troubles are barely starting though.
Yordas Cave
Buttertubs Pass
Hardraw Force.
Asysgarth Force.
Gordale Scar. Malham
Richmond's town " square " overlooking the Swale.
Coldstones Cut
Masham and a brewery tour...choose life- choose Black Sheep
Thankfully it's light till about 11 pm in high summer.
Posted by
Yorkshire
1209 posts
There's a few " in " jokes here.
But this is us.
Posted by
Yorkshire
1209 posts
Skip to 20.45.
Might be rights issues...
Posted by
Yorkshire
1209 posts
Home on the Swale.