Have you been to one of our agricultural shows? During the Summer months, you'll find them taking places in every corner of the Yorkshire Dales - Birstwith, Lunesdale, Brough, Gargrave, Wensleydale, Reeth, Kilnsey, Malham, Bentham, Muker, Nidderdale and Masham. Each one is different but has a similar celebratory atmosphere, a chance for farmers to gather and visitors to get an insight into another life. 

   - Find out which show takes place when -

As soon as the first marquees and tents appear, the excitement builds. You'll spot people scurrying around as they place their carefully tended onions in their allocated place in the show tent, see farmers making final tweaks to their sheep, ensuring there are no stray white hairs in a black muzzle. Horse-riders tentatively enjoy a last-minute practice round the show ring. Farmers clap each other on the back in greeting, grunt a few words to each other, then tend to their animals - banter will come later, once the rosettes have been handed out. The air is full of a mixture of manure, leather and straw bales.  

Yorkshire Dales country shows are a chance to see the best of the countryside: cattle at their finest and fattest; cabbages at their greenest; cakes at their lightest and most moist deliciousness. Many shows include fell-running races and other feats of determination and strength. 

In the show-rings you'll see sheep, cows, horses, dogs, ferrets and other animals primped and paraded. Judges carefully scrutinise every detail, sometimes to the bemusement of onlookers. The rear end of a prize tup (ram) will be considered just as carefully as its face. The crowd will ooh and aah as decisions are made and skills demonstrated. Onlookers don't always understand why one sheep wins over another but if you go and ask the proud winners to explain their livestock's best features, they'll happily do so. Winning at some of these agricultural shows can vastly increase market prices and secure breeding lines. 

In the tents you'll find gorgeous displays of flowers, vegetables, cakes and handicrafts. Children's competition categories almost always include "made an animal out of a vegetable". At almost every show you'll notice certain family names appearing again and again on prize certificates. Friendly rivalry is strong, resurrected each year. 

These fantastic photos by Stephen Garnett give a taste of what you can expect to find - these were all taken at Malham Show.

Could there be any better setting for a festival of medieval music and merriment? 14th century Bolton Castle will play host to Medieval Music in the Dales from 7th - 10th September. This celebration of all things musical and medieval is full of colour, spectacle and amazing sounds.

Some of the finest medieval musicians in Europe will play, using beautiful replica instruments.

You could also have a chance to step out a medieval dance or try playing a bagpipe. The event includes concerts, workshops, demonstrations, a Medieval Market, a Medieval Tavern and a Grand Medieval Feast. This year's event is set to be even bigger and better than last years. Organisers are planning to welcome performers and craftspeople from Spain who may even bring along their Spanish weather! You can even camp out at the castle if you book in advance!

For more information see www.medievalmusicinthedales.co.uk

If you enjoy cheese as much as I do, you're going to love this!

Andy Swinscoe at the Courtyard Dairy near Settle is one of the world's leading experts on cheeses. He even won Cheesemonger of the Year at the World Cheese Awards. He created the tiny Courtyard Dairy a few years ago and since then, he's had a huge impact on cheese-lovers. You may well have seen him at food festivals around the Dales, or perhaps gone to their shop, where the focus is firmly placed on quality farmhouse cheeses. Don't go expecting to always find your favourite - if it's not in season or a batch wasn't up to Andy's exacting standards, he won't have it in the shop. But he will generously offer you delightful slivers of other options so you'll quickly discover a new favourite. And another. And another.

Cheese fans are now in for an even bigger treat. Andy and Kathy have bought the former Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre so they'll have more space for storing and maturing cheese to make it truly special, a small information area showcasing information about cheese-making and its history in the Dales, and be able to open a cheese-themed café, and a cheese-making room.

That's not all. Where-ever you are, you can enjoy the delights of the Courtyard Dairy thanks to their mail-order service. I'm in a particularly good mood today as my monthly delivery just arrived! I'm feeling quite virtuous too as I've promised myself I can't test any of it until I've written this... You can order one-off deliveries or if you're as wise as I am, you'll subscribe to their regular delivery service. Once a month I open the door to a delivery of three fantastic cheeses. I don't know which ones they'll be - Andy chooses the best available at that time. They arrive perfectly packaged, and complete with full details of how each one is made, and some information about each cheese-maker and their animals. 

The monthly subscription or special deliveries made a great gift. And if you're getting married, you might want one of their special cheese cakes for your guests to enjoy as well. Find out more here 

​​It’s all been said before and it really is true – the Yorkshire Dales are a delight to walk in whether you’re after an epic challenge, a quiet riverside stroll or a focused stride out where you’re intent on getting to a certain tea room or pub at the end.
 
However the other day a small group of us were walking through a meadow looking across the drystone walls as our eyes fixed on the shimmering blue of the reservoir in the distance. It was a beautiful day and in that one moment I felt as giddy as a kipper, or for those who have never seen a giddy kipper, like a lamb that's just discovered the joy of bounding skywards.

With that in mind, here are just some walks we think are worthy of mention for inducing an ‘all is well’ feeling. In fact, it’s a tricky thing narrowing down the choice so I have no doubt we’ll revisit this subject further down the line. First up though are a couple of suggestions venturing into some of the lesser-visited parts of the Dales and one more well-known option for those who are looking for a challenge.

Buckden to Yockenthwaite, Upper Wharfedale
For us, this has it all, a choice of good pubs and tearooms along the way, the beautiful river Wharfe, a stretch of limestone pavement, wildflower-rich meadows that are a riot of colour in late spring, small hamlets and superb views right down the dale.There are a couple of opt-outs if you want to shorten the 8-mile circular as well and apart from one shortish uphill section it’s fairly easy walking throughout.

Middleham to Coverham in Wensleydale
If you like castles, horses and a bit of Yorkshire quirk, then this route of around six miles could be for you, with plenty of places to dawdle and distract along the way. Starting from the village of Middleham the route leads you onto the surrounding moor with a grand view back to the impressive castle, which was the childhood home of Richard lll. Middleham is also famous as a racehorse training base and it’s quite a sight seeing the horses being put through their paces on the gallops as you stride along.
 
By now you’ll have ventured into Coverdale, dropping down from the moor and into Tupgill Park where the fantastic Forbidden Corner with its labyrinth of follies, grottoes and other strange surprises awaits.  It’s definitely worth a detour here, especially if there are children in the party, and is an easy way to spend an hour or two. From there, you can press onto the hamlet of Coverham with a view across to the Abbey before returning to Middleham.

Whernside, Ribblesdale 
While you’re unlikely to have this walk to yourself, it’s worth doing as a more challenging hike where you can claim to have conquered Yorkshire’s highest peak Whernside at some 736 metres.
 
We did this as part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge but there is a circular route if you want to stick to just Whernside with the start and finish at one of the most iconic images from this part of the Dales, the Ribblehead Viaduct.
 
If you’re thinking of doing the whole Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, 24 miles and around 1600 feet of ascent and descent within 12 hours, then we’d recommend joining a trip run by guided walking specialist Large Outdoors.
 
Not only do they sort all the logistics, including accommodation nearby, but the guides are great morale-boosters when you’re having that inner tussle where your mind is thinking that bailing out from doing the last peak might just be a good idea!
 
Large Outdoors runs regular guided Yorkshire Three Peak challenge events throughout the summer as well as other weekend trips around Kettlewell during the autumn and winter. They’re very obliging and if your party comprises eight or more people, they’re willing to organise a guided walking trip for your group that can include overnight accommodation and homemade meals. Blog by Amanda Brown

Here's something really special and a chance to get a very different view of the Yorkshire Dales. The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa at Bolton Abbey are offering sightseeing flights by helicopter, followed by a full champagne afternoon tea. 

The scenic helicopter ride will take you over the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, flying over Bolton Abbey, Appletreewick, Burnsall, Grassington, Cracoe, Hetton  and Skipton.

Each flight is available for up to 6 people, and there are departures from May to September. 

Prices start at around £130 per person including the sightseeing flight and champagne afternoon tea. To reserve your place call 01756 718155. ​

As members of a gin tasting group, the "Ginstitute", we feel we have a bit of a grasp on all-things gin in the Yorkshire Dales although there are always new events, places and artisan producers springing up. 

With the whole country seemingly in the grip of gin fever, Yorkshire certainly hasn’t been slow when it comes to offering a variety of ways for those wishing to enjoy their favourite tipple. So if you’ve confessed to being a ‘ginster’ and are looking to get in the spirit of things with new places to go or Yorkshire gins to try then here are some of our recommendations.

Artisan gin producers
Yorkshire folk are pretty good at artisanal endeavours, and copper stills have been bought, named (names include Jezebel and Steve) and skills honed to distill a variety of gins that incorporate locally-sourced ingredients – everything from juniper, bog myrtle and bilberries through to spring water and even Yorkshire tea. Local gins to look out for include:

• Bedale-based Masons Yorkshire Gin where the range now includes versions infused with Yorkshire tea and lavender.
• Whittaker’s Gin (with a very fetching label of a hare on the bottle) from Dacre Banks in Nidderdale.
• Harrogate’s Slingsby Gin where Yorkshire rhubarb and the town’s spring water are key ingredients.
• Newcomer Spirit of Masham has a very distinctive and pleasing flavour - enjoy it neat & with tonic!
• Special mention to one of our personal favourites, Sir Robin of Locksley Gin which is distilled in Sheffield and has a really pleasing hint of pink grapefruit.

If hangovers aren't really your thing, or you're the nominated driver you might want to make sure you have a ready supply of a new alcohol-free gin, Teetotal created in Skipton from The Temperance Spirit Company. It's been through thousands of blind-tastings when many people declared it to be one of the best "gins" they'd tasted!

There are new Yorkshire gins springing up across the county - the easiest way to keep track of them all, and discover the latest ones is to take a trip to the excellent Town End Farm Shop at Airton in Malhamdale, now dubbed, "The World's Leading Retailer of Yorkshire Gin"

Gin-teresting places to get in the spirit
Hmm, we could probably write a book on this but here’s a sprinkling of places we’ve come across in, or fringing, the Yorkshire Dales, offering an extensive range of gins:

• The Royal Oak, Dacre Banks, Nidderdale. This lovely country pub offers an extensive gin menu and each time we’ve popped in there’s a new one to try – ok, if we must!
• V.Sq, Skipton – a swish bar in the heart of this market town with gins tipping the 100-mark and staff with a passion for making the most of the beautiful grog! The bar also does private functions that might be handy for a gin-tasting group.
• The Gin Experience, Harrogate – a bar run by the Slingsby gin creators which also offers tasting and mixology events for groups.
• The White Lion, Cray, Wharfedale – if ever you need to be reminded about what makes Yorkshire gins special, then try sampling them while surrounded by archetypal Dales surroundings as found at this lovely refurbished pub.

 
Some quirky group gin-tasting ideas 
If there’s a group of you and you’re looking for an alternative venue to hold your gin-tasting foray, then why not hire a narrow boat for an evening? We did just that in May from Pennine Cruisers in Skipton and meandered along the canal before mooring up to sample and discuss the Ginstitute’s gin library.
Not only did the gang reveal previously unknown skills for helming and lock-negotiating, but the languid mode of travel proved an ideal match for the gimlet cocktails being served (gin and lime juice for those not in the know!).

Alternatively, if all you have is one of those ready-mixed tins of gin and tonic then head to Brimham Rocks for a picnic. This beautiful area just outside Pateley Bridge has fantastic views and you’ll be amazed at your imagination’s ability for seeing the resemblance that many of the rock formations have to various creatures after a few good slurps of gin. Blog by Amanda Brown, Founder & Chair of the Ginstitute

Doesn't this sound like a lovely idea? Meadow Connections is a small new festival little festival that will be a three day long celebration of upland hay meadows set on a beautiful farm.

It takes place on 7th - 9th July at Lower Winskill (famed for its dry stone walls!) just outside Settle. It's a gorgeous spot surrounded by flower meadows and great views out over Pen-y-Ghent and Ingleborough.


Events include the 2017 Scything Championships (remember Poldark?!), art workshops, meals, music and a ceilidh and of course, opportunities to enjoy the wonderful meadows. Find out more

Something for adrenalin junkies! Combine the excitement of a helicopter ride cruising through the air at around 125mph at an approximate altitude of 2000ft, then try canyoning as you descend the highest cascading waterfall in England at Cautley Spout in the Howgill Fells on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. 

The helicopter ride means you don't need to slog up the hill, and because this is all organised by How Stean Gorge, you'll be given the full kit and an expert equipment demonstration before beginning your descent of this amazing series of waterfalls.

The broken cascade of falls tumbles a total of 650 feet (198 m) down a cliff face at the head of a wild and bleak glacial valley that comes down from a high plateau called the Calf, where the helicopter will approximately land. You'll encounter small and large abseils, jumps and drops. Sound good? More information from How Stean Gorge

The people of Austwick saw the cuckoo as the harbinger of spring and good weather. When one nested in a tree they built a wall around it in the hope of keeping it there. Unfortunately the wall wasn’t high enough so the cuckoo simply flew away…A Cuckoo Festival is still held in summer.

Malham Safari takes place over eight days in May/June when the villagers and local school build sculptures all around the village, based on the theme of animals and dinosaurs. 

The Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival sees quirky and often intricate models around the village, usually with a central theme. Quiz sheets encourage visitors to find each scarecrow.

​We still have many small, ancient and beautiful village churches, which offer a place to pause and enjoy quiet contemplation. They tell the story of a strong community and families who have remained in this area through the generations. 

Most of the churches are open and welcome visitors, to pray and ponder. Take a look at their notice boards for details of village activities such as shows, coffee mornings and talks.

If you'd like to retreat and reflect for longer, Scargill House near Kettlewell offers short breaks and holidays, or you can just pop into their tranquil walled garden. Some of the loveliest and most tranquil sites for quiet reflection are the Quaker meeting houses, particularly at Brigflatts near Sedbergh, Airton near Malham, Settle and Countersett near Bainbridge. 

When is the last time you were really silly? Got messy? Ate with your hands? Every day life demands that we abide by the rules. You know the ones: act your age, brush your hair, eat nicely... 

Wouldn't it feel wonderful to step off the hamster wheel of life and be free? 

We've so much space in the Yorkshire Dales, it's easy to indulge in a little gentle rule breaking. 

Don’t act your age!

Roll down a hill and giggle. Paddle in an ice-cold stream. Freewheel on a bike.  Don't brush your hair today. It's easy to find a place where you can just be you. ​

Tell tales 

Discover our quirky secrets, explore hidden valleys, chat with a local. Strangers don't stay strangers for long! We love to share our favourite places. 

Stay up late

Forget about clocks. Stay up late. Gaze at the stars and our amazing night sky.

​Enjoy the sights you normally miss when sleeping! ​

The restored Wensleydale Railway chugs along through spectacular Yorkshire Dales scenery from Leeming Bar to Redmire, not far from Leyburn. For those who think it's as good to travel as it is to arrive at their destination, Wensleydale Railway have added some extra events to make the journey even more enjoyable.

​They're holding a Real Ale & Music Festival from 26th - 29th May 2017, and on 10th June, there is a WensleyAle Gin Tasting Train (I assume the passengers get to taste the gin and it's not a way to power the engine). On 15th July Prosecco, Cava and Cocktails are on offer. The following day there's a Jazz & Blues Train. Find out more

After seeing reports of excessive pollution in London and the grey faces of commuters working in the financial centre, a group of Yorkshire Dales businesses have joined forces to help. Monday will see the London launch of a new product, B r e a t h e, a specially constructed canister of fresh Yorkshire Dales air, on sale at selected London Underground stations. On-pack promotions also include special offers for holidays in the Yorkshire Dales.

Participating businesses include quality accommodation, farm attractions, boutique hotels, cottages, good food pubs, and several activity providers. B r e a t h e purchasers are also given details of how to download the Yorkshire Dales Guide to Health and Happiness

​Susan Briggs who organised the bottling said, “we already know that some city children suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder but recent reports in the London Evening Standard have also shocked us. It seems many London professionals are earning high incomes but not able to access the most fundamental element to live well – fresh air. We’ve also put together a range of activities and invitations to visit the Yorkshire Dales that we hope will benefit any stressed city dwellers”.

It's wonderful to share the precious landscapes and habitats of the Yorkshire Dales with visitors, but not everyone is able to see some of our most beautiful and fascinating inhabitants - the birds and animals that thrive here. We're used to seeing exotic destinations in wildlife programmes on TV and yet they often neglect to report on places closer to home, so we were delighted to hear that Channel 5 has spent a year filming the wildlife in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks. See the series, Yorkshire: A Year in the Wild on Channel 5 at 9pm on Tuesday evening. After that you might want to plan a visit to the Yorkshire Dales - we've got a round-up of where to see some of our wildlife and natural wonders here. 

​Today is the United Nations International Day of Happiness. We think that the Yorkshire Dales are one of the healthiest and happiest places to live, work and visit in the UK. We've got fresh clean air, plenty of fun activities, a great quality and pace of life and really friendly locals.

We'd love to spread the joy and so we've gathered together recommendations from locals into a little book called the Yorkshire Dales Guide to Health & Happiness and it's free to download here. 

Features include: where to feel your spirits soar, mood food, inspiring views. simple pleasures, enjoying a sense of achievement, small treats, big smiles, happy habits, escaping ordinary, retreating from the world, transports of delight, free range children, watch in wonder... 

The Yorkshire Dales are known for their peace and tranquility. Crime is low. So I was a little surprised to hear that author Julia Chapman has written a series of crime novels based in the Yorkshire Dales. The bags under my eyes have grown - I read the first one last week and kept staying up late to finish it! It was a very enjoyable read, and what I call a "gentle murder story", more in the style of Midsummer Murders than a more grisly crime thriller. 

The series is set in Bruncliffe which is essentially a fictional version of Settle. Read my interview with Julia here to find out more. 

​We're celebrating in the Yorkshire Dales with the news that we've known all along - the Yorkshire Dales National Park is the nation's favourite National Park. It just won won the Award for the National Park of the Year, voted for by readers of BBC Countryfile magazine.

​The magazine said that readers had voted for the park thanks to its “wild and craggy limestone landscape, replete with waterfalls and hay meadows, stone villages and broadleaved woodland”. There's even more of the Yorkshire Dales National Park to explore thanks to its recent expansion to cover 840 square miles.