About the Yorkshire Dales

Rugged and dramatic: the Yorkshire Dales is unmatched in its breathtaking scenery, making it a haven for lovers of the outdoors. Whether you wish to explore this ancient, unspoiled landscape on foot, or by mountain bike around its crags, peaks and valleys, you’ll find it easy with one of our holiday cottages as a base.

Beyond the fascinating geological history of the landscape, there are a number of historic market towns around the Yorkshire Dales to investigate, our favourite being Richmond, surely one of the loveliest market towns in England! Also well worth a visit is the spa town of Harrogate. And if castles are your thing, then Ripley and Skipton must be seen. Knaresborough Forest is home to the Petrifying Well, where mineral-rich waters turn items to stone (including Agatha Christie’s handbag - still hanging there).

The Dales landscape is cherished by residents and visitors alike. Each Dale has a different character. The Southern Dales located near large population centres are less remote, and attract day visitors as well as staying guests. The Northern Dales provide rugged scenery for walking and sightseeing. In the West, the villages and small towns have their own charm. The Yorkshire Dales is worth a visit at any time. At whichever of our country cottages you stay you will find a fascinating landscape and many things to see and do.

A trip from one of our holiday cottages may lead you to the lonely peaks or the gushing rivers that give the Dales their distinctive character. There are spectacular waterfalls — such as Hardraw Force with its 90ft (27 metre) single drop, the famous series of Aysgarth Falls, Cautley Spout with a drop of 600ft (180 metres) and Thornton Force with its cascading streams. Everywhere there are signs of man’s effect on the landscape. The dry stone walls, the village churches, signs of early industries now lost to us. The Dales are unique and from our holiday lets you can explore at your own pace.

Sheep rearing, livestock sales and local agricultural shows play an important part in the lives of its people. Holidaying in one of our traditional country cottages you have the chance to experience life in the Dales and to mix with the ever hospitable Yorkshire folk… perhaps over a drink in a traditional village pub or over a cup of tea in one of the many tearooms in the Dales townships.