North Yorkshire’s Dales are a distinctive network of steep-sided valleys that include a National Park, two National Landscapes, and several vibrant and incredible towns. The Dales are not just a patchwork of different landscapes, but also communities, traditions and character.
As well as these well-known iconic destinations the Dales includes a vibrant collection of smaller towns and beautiful villages.
Aysgarth
An idyllic Yorkshire Dales village, famed for its beautiful waterfalls and rural surroundings. In the heart of Wensleydale, Aysgarth is a great place from which to enjoy a walk surrounded by the hills and limestone Dales landscape.
A popular point of interest for visitors is the Aysgarth Falls with their distinctive three drops. The surrounding area is home to many other treasures such as the villages of West Burton, West Witton and the dramatic Bolton Castle.
Gargrave
Gargrave is a village with a rich mix of influences, from the warehouses and canal of the Industrial Revolution to the winding River Aire and the rolling hills of the southern Dales.
The canal and river sides both offer beautiful walks as they crisscross each other around the village, and local pubs provide delicious food and drink with incredible views. Gargrave is easily accessible by train, on a line that explores the stunning landscape of the southern Dales.
Grassington
​Above the River Wharfe the village of Grassington is at the heart of upper Wharfedale. With rolling hills on every side Grassington is a great location from which to explore the Dales countryside. Set around a lively town square with a traditional feel. Grassington is a hub for exploring the slopes and woodland of the top of Wharfedale, with walks along the riverside, across the hilltops or between the neighbouring villages of Kettlewell, Buckden and Kilnsey.
Grassington has found recent fame as the setting for the fictional town of ‘Darrowby’ in the new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small.
Ingleton
A beacon of the western dales, Ingleton is a place forged by the elements and a popular destination for lovers of the outdoors. The village lies in the heart of Yorkshire’s three great Yorkshire peaks of Ingleborough, Wherneside and Pen-y-Ghent and is surrounded by beautiful waterfalls and expansive cave systems to visit and explore.
Water has forged steep hills over the millennia, with two rivers converging in the village and creating the popular local waterfalls trail.
As well as the popular challenge of the three peaks, you will also find a choice of gentle and relaxing walks to be enjoyed from Ingleton.
Malham
This pretty village deep in the Yorkshire Dales is known for the landmarks that surround it. Enormous edifices and pavements of limestone at Malham Cove and nearby Gordale Scar are dramatic and iconic, often making appearances in film and television.
Nearby Malham Tarn is a large body of water high on the fells, exposed to the elements with magnificent views and an enjoyable walk.
When to visit: Malham is a popular destination and can become crowded in the summer months with an impact on residents and visitors. To get the most from your visit to this special place, we recommend visiting in autumn or early spring.
Pateley Bridge
The beating heart of the Nidderdale National Landscape, Pateley Bridge has a thriving and award-winning high street on the banks of the River Nidd. Visiting Pateley Bridge gives you the opportunity to enjoy many walks and trails to learn about the history and heritage of Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale. With rich agricultural land on all sides, it’s no surprise the delicious food and drink is easy to find in Pateley Bridge, either to enjoy now or take home for later.
Explore the many landmarks that give Nidderdale its character, and enjoy the views across the valley, look out over the reservoirs that are home to a variety of wildlife.
Reeth
At the junction of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, this pretty Yorkshire Dales village is set around a spacious village green and is the perfect place to stretch your legs and breathe the fresh Dales air.  Reeth offers warm dales welcome to all who enjoy the outdoors, with great pubs and cafés serving delicious homemade cakes and meals.
Reeth sits under the dramatic ridge of Fremington Edge, a three-mile limestone escarpment and a popular walking destination and cycling challenge. The area is particularly popular for mountain biking and the Ard Rock Enduro Mountain Bike Festival, the largest event in the UK of its kind, takes place on the surrounding hills every summer.