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Why we love the Yorkshire Dales

Proof that perfection can’t be rushed, the Yorkshire Dales was millions of years in-the-making. With its heather-topped moorlands, hefty peaks and patchwork of pastures, this is quintessential British countryside with a hardy edge – sculpted by ancient glaciers and jam-packed with fossils.

To explore it all, it’s best to stay on the move: hill hiking, gorge climbing, valley cycling and village touring. Maybe you’ll ride a steam train over Ribblehead Viaduct’s towering arches, or trot through the wild moors on horseback? Beneath your feet, there’s a warren of caves and grottoes to discover too – while the Dales’ rich farming heritage makes it a real foodie hotspot.

Whatever your adventure, here’s how to delve deeper into Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Things to do in Yorkshire Dales

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Conquer the three hills of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside - a 24-mile circular challenge for walkers.

Find out more about the routes

Welcome to Yorkshire

Hawnby Peak Scar Three Riders Pan Shot
Yorkshire Three Peaks

Marvel at this majestic megalith of Victorian engineering in an iconic location in the middle of the Three Peaks.

Find out more about Ribblehead Viaduct

VisitBritain/Getty Images/BriBar

Steam train crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire Dales, England, UK
Ribblehead Viaduct

Discover the story behind the extraordinary Yorkshire Dales and the people who have shaped the landscape for centuries.

Discover more about Dales Countryside Museum

Dales Countryside Museum

Dales Countryside Museum
Dales Countryside Museum

Stellar events include expert-led astronomy and astrophotography sessions, plus after-dark activities galore.

What’s on at Dark Skies Festival

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

A man, wearing a red jacket, taking a picture of the sunset
Dark Skies Festival, Yorkshire Dales

This vibrant market town stands at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. Explore a castle, cobbled streets and riverside walks.

Discover more about the original Richmond

Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle
Richmond

With past headliners including Rag'N'Bone Man and Pixies, this music festival is a real crowd-pleaser.

Book Bingley Weekender

Getty Images/Digital Vision/Flashpop

A woman sits on a mans shoulders at a festival in the summertime
Bingley Weekender

From easy rambles to long-distance hikes, the Yorkshire Dales is blessed with spectacular walking routes.

More about Walking in Malham

VisitBritain/MattCant

Malham Cove

People walking on the limestone pavement above the cliffs
Walking in Malham

Climb the side of this spectacular Yorkshire waterfall, deep in the Scaleber Wood Nature Reserve.

Discover Scaleber Force Waterfall

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Scaleber Force
Scaleber Force Waterfall

A favourite local destination for hiking, this Yorkshire landscape is a joy to explore year-round.

Explore Ilkley Moor

VisitBritain/Scott Salt

A rock climber considering a descent
Ilkley Moor

This incredibly well-preserved and impressively imposing Cistercian monastery, founded around 1132, went on to become one of the richest monasteries of its time.

Discover more about Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey

National Trust Images/Chris Lac

A young couple walking through the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey

A one-of-a-kind labyrinth of hidden tunnels, incredible statues, secret chambers and bizarre sights.

Plan your trip to The Forbidden Corner

Guy Carpenter

Statues of Roman Soldiers flanking an entrance in the Forbidden Corner labyrinth attraction in Yorkshire
The Forbidden Corner

Think live music, craft workshops, film screenings and guided walks – all in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

What’s on at Swaledale Festival

"Gray Walker

Antonio Forcione Quartet on stage at St. Andrews Church in Grinton
Swaledale Festival

Every July, this huge food festival – one of Britain’s biggest – celebrates Yorkshire’s bounty of food and drink.

Visit Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival

Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival

Chef and TV host James Martin talking in front of a crowd at Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival
Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival

Head into the depths of the longest show cave in Britain and discover an impressive geological show.

Explore White Scar
Awaiting image
White Scar

Conquer the three hills of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside - a 24-mile circular challenge for walkers.

Find out more about the routes

Welcome to Yorkshire

Hawnby Peak Scar Three Riders Pan Shot
Yorkshire Three Peaks

Marvel at this majestic megalith of Victorian engineering in an iconic location in the middle of the Three Peaks.

Find out more about Ribblehead Viaduct

VisitBritain/Getty Images/BriBar

Steam train crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire Dales, England, UK
Ribblehead Viaduct

Discover the story behind the extraordinary Yorkshire Dales and the people who have shaped the landscape for centuries.

Discover more about Dales Countryside Museum

Dales Countryside Museum

Dales Countryside Museum
Dales Countryside Museum

Stellar events include expert-led astronomy and astrophotography sessions, plus after-dark activities galore.

What’s on at Dark Skies Festival

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

A man, wearing a red jacket, taking a picture of the sunset
Dark Skies Festival, Yorkshire Dales

This vibrant market town stands at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. Explore a castle, cobbled streets and riverside walks.

Discover more about the original Richmond

Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle
Richmond

With past headliners including Rag'N'Bone Man and Pixies, this music festival is a real crowd-pleaser.

Book Bingley Weekender

Getty Images/Digital Vision/Flashpop

A woman sits on a mans shoulders at a festival in the summertime
Bingley Weekender

From easy rambles to long-distance hikes, the Yorkshire Dales is blessed with spectacular walking routes.

More about Walking in Malham

VisitBritain/MattCant

Malham Cove

People walking on the limestone pavement above the cliffs
Walking in Malham

Climb the side of this spectacular Yorkshire waterfall, deep in the Scaleber Wood Nature Reserve.

Discover Scaleber Force Waterfall

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Scaleber Force
Scaleber Force Waterfall

A favourite local destination for hiking, this Yorkshire landscape is a joy to explore year-round.

Explore Ilkley Moor

VisitBritain/Scott Salt

A rock climber considering a descent
Ilkley Moor

This incredibly well-preserved and impressively imposing Cistercian monastery, founded around 1132, went on to become one of the richest monasteries of its time.

Discover more about Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey

National Trust Images/Chris Lac

A young couple walking through the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey

A one-of-a-kind labyrinth of hidden tunnels, incredible statues, secret chambers and bizarre sights.

Plan your trip to The Forbidden Corner

Guy Carpenter

Statues of Roman Soldiers flanking an entrance in the Forbidden Corner labyrinth attraction in Yorkshire
The Forbidden Corner

Think live music, craft workshops, film screenings and guided walks – all in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

What’s on at Swaledale Festival

"Gray Walker

Antonio Forcione Quartet on stage at St. Andrews Church in Grinton
Swaledale Festival

Every July, this huge food festival – one of Britain’s biggest – celebrates Yorkshire’s bounty of food and drink.

Visit Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival

Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival

Chef and TV host James Martin talking in front of a crowd at Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival
Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival

Head into the depths of the longest show cave in Britain and discover an impressive geological show.

Explore White Scar
Awaiting image
White Scar

Places to stay in Yorkshire Dales

Heavenly huts

Who needs four walls? Wake up to beautiful countryside when you stay in a campsite, log cabin, yurt or shepherd’s hut.

Dreamy cottages

Charming stone cottages dot the Dales – from traditional retreats with open fires, to seriously swish holiday rentals.

Intriguing inns

For a warm welcome, head to the pub. Many inns offer hotel-quality rooms, as well as hearty dinners and rich history.

Explore nearby

A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find lots to explore in Leeds.

VisitBritain/Thomas Heaton

The Victorian formal gardens with statues and low hedges in front of Harewood House

Historical hot property – evident in its castles, citadels and 2,000-year-old Hadrian’s Wall.

VisitBritain/Chris Ceasar

View from a distance of a castle on hill near a beach

Small and mighty – York is the medieval walled city that really packs a punch.

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Woman wearing trench coat and pink hat walking

From the tip of England’s tallest peak to the nation’s deepest lake, this national park is stacked with super-sized scenery.

VisitBritain/Ryan Lomas

Lake District, England

Rear view of young woman on a hillside with two dogs

Getting to Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales spans the counties of North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, in northern England. Leeds Bradford Airport is just 25 minutes away by car, while Manchester Airport is one hour and 15 minutes. Both are international hubs, reached by direct flights from all over the world. The local train links are excellent, too: the service from London Kings Cross to Leeds takes two hours, and Edinburgh to Leeds is three hours.

Getting around

While public transport is the carbon-conscious choice, it’s also convenient and easy to access in the Dales – with extra bus and train services running in the peak summer season. Bikes can be rented throughout the national park, including e-bikes to make light work of those uphill jaunts.

By electric car

If you’re renting a car, it makes sense to go electric, especially as all ten of the Yorkshire Dales public car parks offer EV charging points.

By bus

With the Dales Bus, it’s easy to reach hiking trails and attractions: the routes extend throughout the park, and link up with local train stations.

By train

The Leeds–Settle–Carlisle line runs right through the Dales, and is packed with magnificent sights – including the famous Ribblehead Viaduct.

Want to know more?

To discover more top tips and places to stay, head to the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s website.