Darley, North Yorkshire
Visitors and locals alike find so much to enjoy in the Yorkshire Dales. For an afternoon or longer, in whichever direction you take, there are many and varied attractions on offer.
Harrogate
Royal Pump Room Museum
website: www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-98
The main outlet for the hot springs, try the water, see the displays on the history of the town in the octagonal Victorian pump room. Exhibitions and shop.
Mercer Art Gallery
website: www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-995
In this 1806 Promenade Room, completed to serve visitors to the town coming to take the waters, is now a fine art collection and houses the Kent Collection of items from different cultures around the world.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
website: www.rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr
58 acres, herbaceous borders, streamside garden, alpines, Gardens through Time, woodland & wildflower meadow, RHS Shop & Plant Centre and Bettys Café Tea Rooms. Events all year.
Turkish Baths & Health Spa
website: www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-1100
Detox in the steam and hot rooms. Work your way up through the process of Steam Room, shower and then the three inter-connecting Hot Room Chambers - Tepidarium (warm), the Calidarium (hot) and the Laconium (hottest) allowing the warmth to have its therapeutic effect on body and mind.
Harrogate Theatre
website: www.harrogatetheatre.org
Ripley Castle
website: www.ripleycastle.co.uk
Home to the Ingilby's, guided tours, collections of Civil War armour, Venetian chandeliers. Deer park, lakes and walled gardens, all created by 'Capability' Brown. National Hyacinth Collection and the Tropical Plant Collection.
Knaresborough
Knaresborough Castle
website: www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-98
The remains of a 14th-century castle, great views, guided tours, the Keep , Courthouse Museum and Tudor Courtroom.
Mother Shipton’s Cave and Petrifying Well
website: www.mothershiptonscave.com
One of England’s oldest attractions. Make a wish in the wishing well and see the famous petrifying well where objects have been turned to stone over time.
Allerton House
website: www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-98
Gothic Revival house, the former home of Lords Mowbray, Segrave and Stourton then owned by Prince Frederick, Duke of York.
Weekly Market
Weekly Market every Wednesday
Bebra Gardens and Conyngham Hall grounds and riverside walks
website: www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-3363 , www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-3364
Ripon
Police and Prison Museum
website: www.riponmuseums.co.uk
In the old Gaol, The House of Correction, St Marygate, HG4 1LX, history of the police and the law and order, cells.
Ripon Cathedral
website: www.riponcathedral.org.uk
7th Century crypt - the oldest Cathedral in England, good West front, often floodlight at night.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Watergarden
website: www.fountainsabbey.org.uk
Ruined monastery by the river, 12th century, possibly ghosts, 18th century landscaped gardens and deer park. National Trust Visitor centre and shop.
Ripon Cathedral
website: www.riponcathedral.org.uk
7th Century crypt - the oldest Cathedral in England, good West front, often floodlight at night.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Watergarden
website: www.fountainsabbey.org.uk
Ruined monastery by the river, 12th century, possibly ghosts, 18th century landscaped gardens and deer park. National Trust Visitor centre and shop.
Thorpe Prebend House
website: www.riponcathedral.org.uk/tphfacilities.php
Medieval Canon’s house, which houses an exhibition following the history of Ripon from St Wilfrid to the present day – including Alice and the White Rabbit.
Thorpe Prebend House
website: www.riponcathedral.org.uk/tphfacilities.php
Medieval Canon’s house, which houses an exhibition following the history of Ripon from St Wilfrid to the present day – including Alice and the White Rabbit.
Lightwater Valley Theme Park
website: www.lightwatervalley.co.uk
Country park and lakeland in 175 acres, rides, attractions, including rollercoaster. Steam train, lake and children’s farm. A family day out.
Norton Conyers Hall
website: www.touruk.co.uk/houses/houseyorkshire_nortonconyers
Lived in by the same family for over 370 years, Charlotte Bronte visited this medieval house with its walled garden.
Ripon Racecourse
website: www.ripon-races.co.uk
Markenfield Hall
website: www.markenfield.com
An example of a medieval country gentleman's house. Begun by Sir John Markenfield in 1310, in 1569 the family estates were confiscated and the hall was acquired by Fletcher Norton, a lawyer and politician and today it is still in the hands of his descendants. .
Old Sleningford Hall Gardens
website: www.touruk.co.uk/gardens/gardensyorkshire_sleningford
Unusual gardens around Old Sleningford Hall illustrating early 19th century layout. Lawns and trees, beech and yew hedges, walled kitchen garden. Woodland walk to a water garden with lake and islands. Watermill and a Victorian fernery.
Weekly Market
Weekly Market every Thursday
Pateley Bridge
The Nidderdale Way
website: www.visitnidderdaleaonb.com
A 53-mile circular walk starting and finishing in Pateley Bridge. The walk takes you through beautiful and contrasting countryside - from the spectacular uplands around Scar House Reservoir at the head of Nidderdale to more gentle rolling pasture and river valleys along the course of the Nidd. Some quite challenging climbs along the route are rewarded by spectacular glimpses of Nidderdale. Don't miss the breathtaking view from the Middlesmoor Church!
Nidderdale Museum
website: www.nidderdalemuseum.com
on the top floor of a former workhouse, built in 1863, a collection illustrating the Dale's life in the past. Victorian Parlour and kitchen, schoolroom, 1930's General Store, Cobbler's Workshop.
Gouthwaite Reservoir Bird Sanctuary
Yorkshire Country Wines
website: www.yorkshirecountrywines.co.uk
You can walk there along the river from Pateley Bridge; fruit wines, produced in the vaulted cellars of a 19th century flax mill, Steam Engine Room now a tearoom, Winery Tours and tasting.
Brimham Rocks
website: www.brimhamrocks.co.uk
dramatic weathered tor peaks which rise up to 950 feet, set in 50 acres, with walks, exhibition room and shop.
Leyburn
Middleham & Castle
website: www.middlehamonline.com/MiddlehamCastle
The remains of a large medieval castle (which was the home of Richard III, visitor centre and views) and famous for horse training.
Constable Burton Garden
website: www.constableburtongardens.co.uk
Terraced gardens with lawns around a private house.
Forbidden Corner
website: www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk
Ruined castle with towers and dungeons. Climb the tower for the best views over the dales.
Bolton Castle
website: www.boltoncastle.co.uk
Ruined castle with towers and dungeons. Climb the tower for the best views over the dales.
Aysgarth Falls
One of the most popular spots in the Dales. National Trust Visitor centre.
Black Sheep Brewery Masham
website: www.blacksheepbrewery.com
Traditional style brewery opened in 1992 by Paul Theakston following the six generation family business being bought out.
Brymor Ice Cream Parlour
website: www.brymordairy.co.uk
High Jervaulx Farm is home to the pedigree Guernsey cows which provide the parlour and many outlets, the wonderful 30 flavours of ice cream. Try also Brymor sorbets, clotted cream and cheese.
Weekly Market
Weekly Market every Friday
Hawes
Dales Countryside Museum
website: www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/dales_countryside_museum
Local museum showing how the Dales have been shaped by people over the years. Also houses the Tourist Information Centre and National Park Centre.
W R Outhwaite & Son
website: www.ropemakers.co.uk
Ropemakers, during working hours you can see the ropes being made, and even have a go at making knots.
Dales Countryside Museum
website: www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/dales_countryside_museum
Local museum showing how the Dales have been shaped by people over the years. Also houses the Tourist Information Centre and National Park Centre.
W R Outhwaite & Son
website: www.ropemakers.co.uk
Ropemakers, during working hours you can see the ropes being made, and even have a go at making knots.
Wensleydale Creamery
website: www.wensleydale.co.uk
Cheesemakers, making the traditional Wensleydale cheese from Wensleydale milk, viewing gallery, creamery tours, cheese tasting, museum, restaurant and a cheese shop.
Hardraw Force
website: www.hardrawforce.com
England's largest waterfall, 100 foot drop, best seen after rain; there are Upper, Middle and Lower sections. Further along Buttertubs Pass is Buttertubs, holes in the ground made to keep butter cool.
Bainbridge
a village which is worth a look with its village green and stocks, plus the Bainbridge Forest horn which used to be blown three times every evening from the September Fair until Shrove Tuesday, a tradition for guiding workers home from the forest on dark nights.
Weekly Market
Weekly Market every Tuesday
Ingleton
Ingleborough
723 metres (2372 feet) high, one of Yorkshire's Three Peaks (the others being Whernside and Pen-y-ghent) all of which can be climbed from here. Total journey is 25 miles and can be done on foot or by mountain bike. If you make it to the top of Ingleborough there is an Iron Age fort.
Waterfalls Walk
website: www.ingleton.co.uk
Experience some of the most spectacular waterfall and woodland scenery that exist. The walk is about 4.5 miles through ancient woodland and Dales scenery passing a series of waterfalls.
Ingleborough Caves
website: www.ingleboroughcave.co.uk
Discovered in 1837. Highest underground waterfall in Britain plunges down at the start of a network of caves, tours follow a route through the caves and passages, all floodlit.
White Scar Cave
website: www.whitescarcave.co.uk
Discovered in 1923. 80 minute tour, past waterfalls and through galleries to the 200,000 year old Battlefield Cavern, over 330 feet long. Cafe, picnic area and shop.
Chapel le Dale
Small church which has a memorial to the workers, including children, who died constructing the Settle-Carlisle railway line, buried in a mass grave.
Church of St Mary’s
Has an 800 year old Norman font.
Heated Open Air Swimming Pool
website: www.ingleton.co.uk
Weekly Market
Weekly Market every Friday
Settle
Castleberg Rock
Limestone outcrop which towers above the town
Settle - Carlisle Railway
website: www.settle-carlisle.co.uk
One of Britain's most spectacular railway lines crossing the Dales and fells, including a 24 span viaduct at Ribblehead. The line itself is as interesting as the views. Sometimes steam trains run on the lines, but it is normal trains that do the timetable.
The Folly & Museum of North Craven Life
website: www.ncbpt.org.uk/folly
The Folly, built in 1679, is a Grade 1 listed building recently restored and houses displays showing the history of North Craven and the folly.
The Mark of the Dales
Crafts centre next to the Watershed Mill Visitor Centre and cafe.
The Yorkshire Dales Falconry & Conservation Centre
Eagles, hawks and other birds of prey with flying displays.
Forest of Bowland AONB
website: www.forestofbowland.com
Unspoilt woodlands, wildflower meadows and diverse wildlife, including rare bird species. The area provides wonderful walking, cycling and horse riding.
Malham Cove and Tarn
website: www.malhamdale.org.uk
dramatic craggy limestone features and upland lake (an outstanding wetland area). Janet’s Foss waterfall and Gordale Scar should not be overlooked.
Weekly Market
Weekly Market every Tuesday plus monthly Farmers Market
Grassington
Kilnsey Park & Trout Farm
website: www.kilnseypark.co.uk
Fly-fishing lakes, playground, children's fishing area, estate shop, and visitor centre.
Hebden
Walks and old lead workings.
Stump Cross Caverns
website: www.stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk
Natural show cave with visitor centre, shop and tea room.
Parcevall Hall Gardens
website: www.parcevallhallgardens.co.uk
Garden of 16 acres with pools and streams, set around a Diocese Retreat (which is not open). Picnic area and tea rooms.
Skipton
Skipton Castle
website: www.skiptoncastle.co.uk
One of the best preserved and most complete medieval castles in England, with a woodland walk at the feet of its imposing walls.
Leeds - Liverpool Canal
website: www.skiptonweb.co.uk/tourist/canal
200 years old. Take a trip through stunning Dales scenery, whatever the weather! (Pennine Boat Trips & Cruises). The Canal Footpath provides a delightful walk from Skipton (or the Castle Woods where deer can sometimes be seen) to Aireville Park.
Skipton Millennium Walk
website: www.skiptononline.co.uk/walks
The Craven Museum
website: www.skiptonweb.co.uk/tourist/nearby_attractions/museum
Brings to life the natural and social history of the Southern Dales.
Bolton Abbey
website: www.boltonabbey.com
Spectacular medieval buildings lying in beautiful countryside with 80 miles of moorland, woodland and riverside footpaths and a wheelchair accessible nature trial.
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
website: www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk
Yorkshire Dales Flyfishing
website: www.yorkshire-dales-flyfishing.com
They offer a complete flyfishing service in the Dales. Everything from beginner courses to flyfishing holidays.
Hesketh Farm Park
website: www.heskethfarmpark.co.uk
Children can meet animals that are native to the Yorkshire Dales and join in the activities.
The Elm Gallery
website: www.yorkshire-dales-flyfishing.com
Displaying original paintings and drawings by local artists.
Weekly Market
Weekly Market Monday, Friday and Saturday
Ilkley
Ilkley Moor
Panoramic views
Chevin Forest Park, Otley
website: www.chevinforest.co.uk
Nature Reserve comprising 700 acres of woodland and crags.
Betty’s Tea Room and Cafe
website: www.bettys.co.uk
Sister establishment to Harrogate’s Betty’s. A Yorkshire institution.
Ilkley Toy Museum
website: www.ilkleytoymuseum.co.uk
The museum contains one of the finest private collections of toys in the North of England with a particularly fine display of early English wooden dolls.
White Wells Spa Cottage
website: www.visitbradford.com
There has been bathing at White Wells since 1703. Although the water has no significant mineral content it is the coldness of the water which stimulates the circulation. Modern day visitors can still use the plunge bath. New Year's Day is the most popular day for this activity, with usually over a hundred plungers throughout the day.
The Manor House
website: www.bradfordmuseums.org/manorhouse
One of Ilkley’s oldest buildings which has been converted into a museum and art gallery. Take a glimpse into Ilkley's past and enjoy the galleries which provide a venue for a regularly changing programme of temporary exhibitions.