10 Great Reasons To Visit The Yorkshire Dales.

The Yorkshire Dales is 680 square mile of pure and unrivalled beauty that will be imprinted on your mind long after you leave. No matter the season and no matter your age or interests, the Yorkshire Dales will provide you with an adventure that will leave you longing to return. There are so many reasons to visit the Yorkshire Dales that it would be practically impossible to list them all, so instead here are ten of the best.

1) A Walker’s Paradise:
If you love exploring the great outdoors then look no further; no matter where you are staying within the Dales, there will be stunningly beautiful walks all around you. For a relaxing stroll visit the fabulous Valley Gardens in the heart of Harrogate and take a picnic for a peaceful lunch in the gorgeous fresh air. Or for the walkers up for more of a challenge there is the 53mile trail that makes up the Nidderdale Way, which would also suit mountain bikers and horse-riders alike.

2.) Join the Three Peaks Club:
Experienced walkers with a strong sense of adventure can become members of the exclusive three peak club by climbing to the top of all The Three Peaks in under 12 hours. That is a 23km trek in total climbing the 736m of Whernside, the 723m of Ingleborough and the 694m of Penyghent as well as the distances between.

3.) Riding the Routes:
There is no doubt about it: the Yorkshire Dales have some of the best mountain biking trails in the country offering varied terrain from wide stone-tracks, limestone grasslands and heather moor lands. It’s no problem if you don’t have a mountain bike of your own; there are many places where you can rent a bike suitable for the terrain and inexperienced mountain bikers can be taken on a guided ride.

4.) Experience the Magical Lands of Harry Potter:
Any fan of the Harry Potter movie series will have spotted some of Yorkshire’s most enchanting spots in the first two Harry Potter films which feature Goathland train station, North York Moors National Park, as the fairytale-like Hogsmeade Station. The next Yorkshire Dales hotspot to feature in the boy-wizard’s journey is Malham Cove which features in the most recent Harry Potter feature film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

5.) Experience a Beautiful World Above:
The beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside is mostly free of light pollution, which means, if the clouds stay away of course, there is an unobstructed view of the night sky. Either study the constellations or cuddle up on a picnic blanket and just marvel at the beauty up above. For serious stargazers join the Dales Countryside Museum for the Dark Skies event on the 15th May this year.

6.) Find your Inner Attenborough:
If you enjoy watching wildlife shows and maybe fancy yourself as the next David Attenborough, there are nearly 20 places where you can observe the local wildlife. While visiting the scenery of the most recent Harry Potter movie at Malham Cove, why not stick around for a while and catch a glimpse of the Peregine Falcon, arguably the most impressive bird of prey in Britain.

7.) Accommodating Accommodation:
No matter the length of your stay or the depth of your pockets, there will be accommodation in the Dales that will be perfect for you. For a longer stay, try one of the many farmhouses, guesthouses and cottages that are available for rent. There are many luxury hotels available for those who want to splash out on a fancy weekend away or plenty of self-catering accommodation, campsites, hostels and bunk barns situated around the Dales for those with a more modest budget.

8.) Go Back Through Time:
Immerse yourself in the history of the Dales by strolling round the pretty cobbled streets of the rustic villages and explore the industrial past of the area with a trip to the restored textile mills. Ruins of magnificent abbeys and majestic castles will have you reaching for the camera.

9.) Take a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity:
There are several places in the Yorkshire Dales that offer once in a lifetime opportunities. What better way to see the stunning scenery than via a helicopter ride? Pennine Helicopters offer helicopter rides over the stunning scenery that is likely never to be forgotten.

10.) Many Foodie Delights:
Everyone overindulges on holiday (and so they should!) and there is no better place to do it than in the Dales. Visit one of the traditional local pubs to sample locally brewed ale and eat some of the freshest local produce you can imagine, from Kilnsey trout to Limestone beef. Don’t forget to sample some local cheeses, especially Wallace and Gromit’s favourite, Wensleydale, at the creamery in Hawes where it is actually made. Is your mouth watering yet? It should be.

By: Louise Chadwick

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Louise Chadwick is an expert on travel and tourism. For more information on the lovely Yorkshire Dales, attractions, camping and caravan parks please visit www.yorkshire.com.