Which Yorkshire Dales will you visit?
The area we call the Yorkshire Dales is an amazing collection of individual dales or valleys.The Yorkshire Dales National Park covers 2,170 square kilometres, complemented by the neighbouring Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which adds another 600 square kilometres to the protected area. For many though, the Yorkshire Dales stretch outside these boundaries, towards Richmond, Masham and Skipton. 'Dale is an old English word, probably originating from the German word Tal or Nordic Dal, meaning a valley. Most of the Yorkshire Dales are named after their river e.g. River Swale = Swaledale. There are a few exceptions such as Wensleydale which was named after Wensley, whereas the river is the Ure.
Swaledale & Arkengarthdale |
Wensleydale |
Ribblesdale |
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Swaledale is famous for its hay meadows, Richmond with its fine castle, beautiful villages Reeth, Keld and Muker, and England's highest pub
Discover Swaledale & Arkengarthdale |
Wensleydale is the home of Wensleydale cheese in Hawes, wonderful waterfalls, Bolton Castle, Dales Countryside Museum, and Jervaulx Abbey
Discover Wensleydale |
Ribblesdale is known for The Three Peaks - Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent, RIbblehead viaduct, and the Settle to Carlisle Railway
Discover Ribblesdale |
Malhamdale
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Nidderdale
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Wharfedale
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Malhamdale is famous for its limestone pavements and crags, including Malham Cove and Goredale Scar, providing inspiration to poets and writers such as J.M.W. Turner.
Discover Malhamdale |
Nidderdale is famous for World Heritage Site Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal and is home to internationally important species of bird such as red grouse, golden plover and merlin.
Discover Nidderdale |
Wharfedale is famous for its limestone hills, moorland, waterfalls, rivers and ancient woodland as well as attractive and characterful villages such as Burnsall, Buckden and Kettlewell.
Discover Wharfedale |
Dentdale & Sedbergh
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Dales market towns |
How many Yorkshire Dales? |
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Dentdale is famous for the Settle-Carlisle railway, Sedbergh's second-hand and specialist bookshops and for its walking in the Howgill Fells.
Discover Dentdale & Sedbergh |
No one really knows how many Yorkshire Dales there are! Counts vary from around 35 to over 50, and each is very different in character and feel. Read why
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What makes the Yorkshire Dales so special? |
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Learn more about our special features such as dry stone walls, field barns and nature
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