The wild and unspoilt Yorkshire Dales National Park has earned a world-wide reputation for being one of the most beautiful areas of the UK. With it’s varied landscape of rolling hills bordered with dry stone walls, lush river valleys and windswept limestone pavements, the Yorkshire Dales make the perfect holiday destination.
Making the perfect choice for either a short weekend break or even a much longer holiday, the Yorkshire Dales covers a vast area of over 600 square miles. Finding that perfect Yorkshire Dales hotel can seem very daunting indeed, however it’s worth bearing in mind that the area is very well equipped for tourists and visitors, making the search for accommodation fairly straightforward. Here are some ideas on great places to stay in the Dales which could help to make your search that little bit easier!
The Dales National Park covers a large area of North Yorkshire, from Wharefdale in the south right up to Swaledale in the north. The Yorkshire Dales are very well served by transport links which makes getting about very easy, either by car or by using the excellent public transport services on offer.
If you’d like to stay in the Dales for just a weekend break or short holiday, finding a Yorkshire Dales hotel in one of the many villages or small towns is probably the best idea. There are a wealth of lovely, characterful market towns and pretty villages based in or close to the National Park, making them perfect bases for a weekend stay. At the northern end of the National Park you’ll find Aysgarth and Hawes, for example, both excellent locations from which to explore the Dales scenery.
Close to the unusual limestone pavements which are an unusual feature of the landscape of the southern Dales, you will find the lovely villages of Malham and Grassington. The beautiful Bolton Abbey estate, Yorkhsire home of the Duke of Devonshire, is at the very southern edge of the Dales and this area of the National Park can be easily reached on public transport from Leeds and Bradford.
Of course where you choose to stay in the Dales will probably depend a great deal on what you like to do whilst on holiday! A wonderful place to relax and unwind in, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is also a haven for those who like nothing better than getting out and about and enjoying some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK.
If your idea of heaven is striding out accross the countryside you’ll definitely appreciate the rugged landscape of the Yorkshire Dales. Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – the legendary Yorkshire three peaks – are all within the National Park and the area as a whole has some of the best walking routes in the UK.
For a more relaxing stroll, the Bolton Abbey estate in Lower Wharfedale is pretty hard to beat. Set in a beautiful, wooded valley, the estate hugs the banks of the River Wharfe. In contrast, Reeth in the northern Dales is set amongst some truly stunning wild moorland. One of the great joys of the Dales is the variety of scenery on offer; every area has it’s own unique character and at least one delightful Yorkshire Dales hotel!
Sally Carter has recently moved back to the UK having spent many years working in the United States and is now running a successful yorkshire dales hotel. Having spent many happy holidays in the Dales, Sally loves living and working in this beautiful area.