Things to do in and around Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales

Things to do in and around Wharfedale

One of the best-known and much-loved Yorkshire Dales Wharfedale runs from the north at Cray down to the south of the Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary and Skipton. It encompasses limestone hills, moorland, waterfalls, rivers and ancient woodland at the Strid on the Bolton Abbey Estate. Steep hills and rocky crags make Wharfedale popular with walkers, and fell runners, who show off their prowess at the Kilnsey Show and Burnsall Feast fell races.

From the stony outcrop of Simon’s Seat you can see much of the southern dales stretching before you. You can look down the Valley of Desolation (now full of life!), to the pretty village at Appletreewick (pronounced “Aptrick”!), and along the river towards the beautiful ruins of Bolton Priory.

Wharfedale has many attractive and characterful villages such as Burnsall and Buckden where its five-arched bridge spans the Wharfe and is a popular paddling spot. You may recognise Kettlewell from the 'Calendar Girls' film. It’s also where models of another kind can be found in August when the popular scarecrow festival takes place. At nearby Kilnsey Park you can see red squirrels, fish for your supper or simply marvel at the height of the crags and the climbers trying to scale them.

River Wharfe

The river Wharfe acts as the natural boundary between North and West Yorkshire, winding its way for 65 miles through some of the Dales’ best-known villages. As the Wharfe flows through Bolton Abbey Estate there is a chance to see the Strid waterfalls and cross the river exactly as monks did centuries ago. There are plenty of spots along the Wharfe that are perfect for fishing both for experienced and novice anglers.