Yorkshire's Limestone Dales

Nestling in the shadows of the mighty ‘Three Peaks’ of Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside lie Yorkshire’s limestone dales. The gleaming white of the limestone scars, laid bare by the last Ice Age, add light to a rugged landscape, whilst the sweet springy turf provides the perfect walking surface. This is an area famed for its tradition of access to the hills and valleys and every picturesque village offers a warm welcome.

The limestone geology of this area has created a unique landscape of ‘limestone pavements’ and weathered scars. It is hard to resist the temptation to leave the path to touch the rocks, walk across the ‘pavements’ where rare lime-loving plants hide in the crevices, and sit on the abundant rocky seats thoughtfully provided by nature for the purpose of picnic stops!

 

View of the surrounding countryside from the top of Malham Cove

 

The crystal clear rivers which run through Wharfedale and Ribblesdale meander over smooth shelves of limestone or, where harder rocks extrude, rush and boil through rocky constrictions and thunder over series of dramatic waterfalls.

The selection of walks will depend upon the grade of the tour, however, all the tours will visit Wharfedale for a walk from Grassington to Kettlewell; Ribblesdale where the shapely form of Pen-y-Ghent dominates the skyline; and Malhamdale where the natural limestone cliff of Malham Cove and the walls of Gordale Scar, which tower 300’ above the path, present an awe-inspiring sight.

 

Far reaching views across Ribblesdale from the Norber Erratics

 

To give you a 'taster' of the landscape take a look at the beautiful aerial photography in this short video.

Accommodation
Unless you ask us to customise your trip, and choose alternative accommodation, your holiday in Yorkshire’s Limestone Country will be based at a comfortable family-run guest house in the village of Austwick. Your room will have ensuite bathroom facilities and you will have a choice of continental or full English breakfast. Austwick has a hotel and a pub serving meals in the evening, and Settle, with it wide range of hotels and inns is only five miles away. 

If you prefer hotel accommodation we can arrange a room at at The Traddock Hotel [ETC/AA**] an elegant Georgian country house set in its own attractive grounds. In a bygone era the grounds were the horse trading paddock – hence the name. The brasserie restaurant serves innovative dishes with the emphasis on fresh local produce. The hotel has a range of rooms and suites and all rooms enjoy rural views. The additional cost for accommodation at The Traddock Hotel will depend upon the room type chosen and whether you wish to include evening meals in the hotel restaurant. 

 

What's included in the price of this holiday?

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Bed & Breakfast
Holiday Options

Easy Easy
Code:YDLSB3
Grade:Easy - Moderate
Nights:3
Price:£430.00
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Easy Easy
Code:YDLSB5
Grade:Easy - Moderate
Nights:5
Price:£755.00
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Easy Easy
Code:YDLSB7
Grade:Easy - Moderate
Nights:7
Price:£1,100.00
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Currency Converter: All of our prices are in British pounds. To estimate the cost in another currency use the currency converter here.

Travel information
Rail: Settle
Onward travel: Taxi

more travel information

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