"A Dales Woman at Heart " a Yorkshire Dales National Park Travel Page by mightywease

Although I have not lived in the Dales for over 15 years it still remains, in many ways, my home. You can take the person from the dales but you can't take the Dales from the person!

I was born when my family lived in the village of Cracoe which is in Wharfedale. From there we moved to Grassington then Skipton. My parents and brother still live in the Dales and last year i was maried in St. Peter's Church. Rylstone, Wharfedale.

It really is a beautiful part of the world. Scenary that is simply breath-taking. Rolling hills and dales, lovely little villages and a sense of space that is liberating.

As far as a holiday in the Dales goes if you are an outdoor type person then it's the perfect place. Plenty of opportunities for walking, whether you are an experienced hiker or a novice rambler. You can also go pot-holing and rock-climbing, but, if you do, please, please be careful and take expert advice. The Fell Rescue Service is the Dales is fantastic but I'm sure they would rather not be called out.

I would visit some of the local villages such as Grassington and Kettlewell in Upper Wharfedale - a lot of the villages often have events taking place, especially in Summer, such as art exhibitions, concerts, theatre, agricultural shows.

Go to Asgarth Falls and Malham Cove, both of which are beautiful natural phenomena as is Stump Cross caverns. Sit by the banks of the River Wharfe in Burnsall or take a picnic and watch the river go by at Yockenthwaite (above Buckden and Hubberholme).

For man made phenomena then Ribblehead viaduct is an impressive sfeat of engineering and - further back in history - Bolton Priory and Barden Tower in the Bolton Abbey Estate are both wonderful, as are the woods and walks around them. Though beware the Strid where the River Wharfe rushes through a small rock cleft - a beautiful but dangerous site

For more history The Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes (another lovely village) is very interesting. Hawes is also home to the Wensleysdale Cremary where Wallace and Gromits favourite cheese is made! And if you like sampling local brews (of which there are many in the Dales i.e. Copper Dragon, Folly, Dent Ale etc..) perhaps see how some are made at the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham.

All that and beautiful scenery, walks, hills, rivers, pubs, and tea rooms!

For more info visit either www.yorkshiredales.org (the National Park Website) or www.daelnet.co.uk (note the spelling in the address 'dael' not 'dale')

I know I am biased but the Yorkshire Dales is a fantastic place to visit.

Every year, on the Tuesday after the August Bank Holiday, Kilnsey Show takes place. Tents and marquees are set up under the shadow of the Crag and there are competitions for cattle, sheep, dry-stone walling, produce, handicrafts, baking and much more. Plus the remowned Crag Race.
It's a fantastic day out. You can wander around the tents, wondering if you could have baked a better fruit-cake, watch the sheep dog trials, keep checking on how the dry-stone walling is progressing and marvel as the runners race down the scree in the Crag Race. Not forgetting to visit the W.I. Tent. And all the time you are surrounded by the most wonderful scenary. Superb!