The United Kingdom is truly blessed with some fantastic wide open spaces. One of these is the majesty of the Yorkshire Dales. The Dales are a very seasonal place, moody and magnificent one a grey day then turning to brightness and colourful glory on a sunny one. The valleys, just another word for dale, are all individual in what they bring to the area and represent. The heather moorland punctuated with Limestone escarpments and crags have created a romantic landscape which is the basis of much of the pride that those coming from Yorkshire associate with the area. One other thing to make them proud is the work of the Web Design Yorkshire based creators, go to https://www.etempa.co.uk/ to have a look and see what they can do to help you with a website for your Yorkshire based business.
What is also wonderful about the Dales is that it appears to be almost frozen in time. Farming remains a mainstay of the region and much of this is based on the traditional practices based around cattle and sheep in particular. With the timeless classic design of a series of drystone walls the landscape is sectioned out into abundant hay meadows producing seemingly endless displays of wild flowers and providing the lushest of grass for the animals that live on it. The landscape also represents a story and it is a story of how people and animals have shaped and preserved this countryside to the beautiful and tranquil scene and environment it is today.
There is more to the land that just fields. Beneath your feet as you walk the land there are caves that can be explored in some areas. These underground gardens of stone boast stalactites and stalagmites formed by eons of water flowing down through the limestone above. Back in the fields you will also see the remains of the mines that would plunder the earth of coal, tin and precious metals. This shows how the Dales were also used to make a big contribution to our industrial heritage as well. If the built heritage is something that you enjoy then a stroll around some of the many stone built villages, taken from the formations around the Dales will be of great interest. This homes seems to blend into the landscape and become a part of it rather than appear as a jarring presence
There is still much more to be seen and experienced there are waterfalls and woodland to discover. This is a special place populated by a warm and welcoming people keen to show it off.
Walks to try around the Dales
The Dales are ideal for anyone who wants peace, quiet and beautiful countryside away from the crowds, while still having towns such as Ripon nearby with plenty to do. There is an abundance of countryside to explore on foot, and a couple of walks stand out.
The Druids Temple makes a fascinating walk. At first glance it looks as old as Stonehenge, but it was actually built in the 18th century by William Danby, a wealthy local landowner who wanted to create work for people in the area. Knowing its story makes the visit all the more interesting.
Wensleydale in North Yorkshire, home of the famous cheese loved by Wallace and Gromit, is another fine choice. It sits within an area of outstanding natural beauty and has stunning scenery, yet the walking is fairly easy. That makes it well suited to children and to anyone who is not as mobile as they once were.
Walking the Three Peaks and beyond
Walking is one of the best ways to see the Dales, and the National Park has around 2,628 kilometres of footpaths across roughly 2,179 square kilometres of land. The weather here can change very quickly, so pack a warm layer even if the day starts out sunny.
The park’s three best known peaks are Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside. A circular route takes in all three, covering about 24.5 miles and taking around 12 hours to complete, so it suits experienced walkers who are prepared for a long day.
Wildlife is part of the appeal. Walkers may come across a species of moss found nowhere else in the world, hundreds of nesting birds, many kinds of butterfly and even the brown long-eared bat. Around 24,000 people live within the park’s boundaries, alongside the millions of visitors who come each year.
