North Dales Accommodation

Yorkshire Dales walking around Garsdale near Hawes

Reeth, Richmond, Swaledale Hawes, Wensleydale, James Herriot Yorkshire Dales UK

The Northern Yorkshire Dales lays claim to some of the Yorkshirie Dales best walking territory (walking trails are particularly challenging around central walking hub Reeth). The area was once home to a thriving lead mining industry, the evidence of which marks the some of the scenery. Main centre for Swaledale is Reeth which plays host to the annual Swaledale Music Festival. Hawes, hub for exploring the Wensleydale area, makes a great base packed with accommodation and arts and crafts shops. Reeth is particularly noted for its links with the tv series 'All Creatures Great and Small' written by famous vet Alf Wight alias James Herriot.

Leyburn & Wensleydale, Reeth, Swaledale & 'All Creatures Great and Small' TV Series

Delightful market town and centre for festivals and shows Leyburn serves as gateway the stunning Wensleydale area of the Dales. Close to Middleham and its historic castle, Leyburn makes for a superb Dales base particularly during times when it plays host to the Dales Festival of Food in May or the Wensleydale Agricultural Show in August! The Little Chocolate Shop in Leyburn is a particular highlight.

For more information on forthcoming events and programme for both the Dales Festival of Food and the Wensleydale Agricultural Show check the webguides linked right. The charming romantic gardens of Constable Burton Hall (webguide right) are also within easy reach. Discover the underground labyrinth, mystic wood and stone sculptures, follies and endless paths in the 4 acre Forbidden Corner Garden in nearby Middleham.

Right smack on the border of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale sits one of the Yorkshire Dales most popular walking holiday bases Reeth. A real Dales hub like Hawes, Reeth plays host to the annual Swaledale Music Festival in June. An exciting programme mix of jazz, folk, world music, choral and classical awaits. Check the Swaledale Festival weblink right for forthcoming programme.

Reeth is crammed with charming tearooms, specialist shops and workshops and country pubs. It was the Reeth area, and Reeth village where much of the popular tv series 'All Creatures Great and Small' was filmed. Notable nearby features such as Aysgarth Falls featured in the series. Challenging walking trails are on the menu around Reeth.

Hawes, The Wensleydale Creamery, Family Fun and Activities

The Northern Yorkshire Dales is crammed with fun packed activities. Hawes is a particularly popular Wensleydale base home to The Dales Countryside Museum where you can find out more about the landscape, people and past of this area. Also in Hawes is the renowned Wensleydale Creamery. Swaledale Woollens is in the Richmond area where you can buy beautifully crafted knitwear. (see their webguide right for details.

Other interesting attractions include The Hawes Ropemaker, the Cat Pottery, Hazel Brow Farm and Beech End Model Village.www.wensleydale.co.uk

Hawes, alongside Malham and Horton further south in the Dales, is a popular base for walkers pushing along the Pennine Way National Trail. The Pennine Way is one of the UK's most popular National Trails stretching 268 miles from the Peak District up through the Yorkshire Dales and on across Hadrian's Wall into the Cheviots. (see the Pennine Way National Trail webguide right for maps and details).

Northern Dales History and Heritage - Middleham & Richmond Castle

Stunning castle ruins abound in this part of the Yorkshire Dales. There's Middleham Castle in Leyburn built in the 12th Century, or the breathtaking Richmond Castle built by William the Conqueror.

Or why not saunter around The Old Working Smithy and Museum at Gunnerside west of Reeth. You might even see a real blacksmith at work here! (see Gunnerside Village webguide right for details).

The Wensleydale Railway

The Wensleydale Railway runs trains between Leeming Bar (near Northallerton) and Redmire (on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park), via Bedale and Leyburn.

Trains usually consist of heritage diesel rail cars from the 1960s, which have large windows and a great view of the line ahead if you sit behind the driver. This is the first part of a project to restore the full 40 mile route between Northallerton (on the East Coast Main Line) and Garsdale (on the Settle-Carlisle Railway).

Wensleydale Railway plc, Leeming Bar Station, Leases Road, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, North Yorkshire DL7 9AR. Ticketline Tel. 08454 50 54 74. Group Booking Enquiries Tel. 01677 425805.

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