Yorkshire Dales National Park

The Yorkshire Dales – named from the old Norse word dalr, meaning 'valleys', and protected as a national park since the 1950s – are beloved as one of England's best hiking and cycling areas. The park's glacial valleys are characterised by a distinctive landscape of high heather moorland, stepped skylines and flat-topped hills, punctuated by delightful country pubs and windswept trails.

Down in the green valleys, patchworked with drystone dykes and little barns, are picture-postcard villages where sheep still graze on village greens. And in the limestone country of the southern Dales you'll find England's best examples of karst scenery (created by rainwater dissolving the underlying limestone bedrock).

The whole area is seriously scenic and easy to explore. Consequently it's popular with holidaying Britons – book accommodation ahead as there are no big hotels here. Beds get particularly scarce on public holiday weekends and during events such as the annual Tour de Yorkshire.

Explore Yorkshire Dales National Park

0

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Yorkshire Dales National Park.

  • Castle

    Skipton Castle

    What makes Skipton Castle so fascinating is its splendid state of preservation, providing a striking contrast to the ruins you'll see elsewhere. Although…

  • Natural Feature

    Malham Cove

    North of Malham village, a 0.75-mile field walk beside a lovely babbling stream leads to Malham Cove, a huge rock amphitheatre lined with 80m-high…

  • Historic Building

    Georgian Theatre Royal

    Built in 1788, this is the most complete Georgian playhouse in Britain. It closed in 1848 and was used as an auction house into the early 20th century,…

  • Gardens

    Forbidden Corner

    There can surely be no other place like this in the world: a modern walled garden furnished with Victorian-style follies, some veering into gothic horror,…

  • Waterfall

    Hardraw Force

    About 1.5 miles north of Hawes is 30m-high Hardraw Force, the highest unbroken waterfall in England, but by international standards not that impressive …

  • Abbey

    Bolton Abbey

    This old monastic estate is now a giant country playground set against the striking backdrop of 12th-century priory ruins on a bend of the River Wharfe…

  • Museum

    Wensleydale Creamery

    Wensleydale Creamery is devoted to the production of a crumbly white cheese that's the favourite of animation characters Wallace and Gromit. You can visit…

  • Lake

    Malham Tarn

    A glacial lake and nature reserve 3.5 miles north of Malham village, accessible via a 1.5-mile walk north from Malham Cove, or by car. There are two car…

  • Castle

    Richmond Castle

    The impressive heap that is Richmond Castle, founded in 1070, has had many uses through the years, including a stint as a prison for conscientious…

  • Museum

    Dales Countryside Museum

    Sharing a building with the national park centre, the Dales Countryside Museum is a beautifully presented social history of the area that explains the…

  • Museum

    Green Howards Museum

    Military buffs will enjoy the three floors of this museum, which pays tribute to Richmond's famous Yorkshire infantry regiment, formed in 1688. The medal…

  • Farm

    Sheepdog Demonstrations

    On Thursdays from May to October, a local farmer gives demonstrations of working sheepdogs, held in a field 800m north of Hawes on the minor road towards…

  • Museum

    Richmondshire Museum

    The Richmondshire Museum feels a bit worn, but it's crammed with local history exhibits including Stone Age artefacts and displays about lead mining,…

  • Street

    High St

    Skipton's pride and joy is the broad and bustling High St, one of the most attractive shopping streets in Yorkshire – only slightly marred by the general…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Yorkshire Dales National Park.

  • Activities