The Yorkshire Dales

Carved from the rugged Pennine hills by ancient glaciers, gently eroded by rushing streams and then softened by meandering rivers, the Yorkshire Dales form one of the most varied and spectacular landscapes in Britain. Scenery so breathtaking and unspoilt that some 680 square miles have been protected as a National Park since 1954 - the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Consisting of several "dales", the National Park is made up of Wensleydale, Swaledale, Bishopdale, Coverdale, Raydale, Arkengarthdale and Wharfedale.

The Yorkshire Dales has over 1200 miles of footpaths criss-crossing the valley floors and moors for you to enjoy first hand. Sparkling waterfalls abound more than anywhere else in Britain. The Pennine Way passes through Hawes, and England's highest waterfall Hardrow Force is close by. Be mesmerised by the falls at Aysgarth in mid Wensleydale. If you're into searching out red squirrels experienced walkers now have the chance to enjoy a 10-mile there-and-back hike to a squirrel view point set up in woodland in Snaizeholme, near Hawes. Why not try out your map reading skills on an orienteering course or try some GPS fun with geocaching.

Discover the story of the people and landscape of the Yorkshire Dales at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes! The Museum is free for children and also offers a range of educational activities. A selection of events, workshops, demonstrations and exhibtions also run throughout the year. Hawes is also home to the world famous Wensleydale Cheese and a visit to Wensleydale Creamery is not to be missed.

Wander through pretty villages, call in at a local hostelry or tea shop, ponder local crafts such as The Cat Pottery in West Burton renowned to be the prettiest village in the dales, glass blowing in Masham, ropemakers in Hawes.

Visit Leyburn, a thriving market town with one the highest market places in England and panoramic views of Wensleydale from the Shawl, a footpath starting in Leyburn which has associations with Mary, Queen of Scots and Bolton Castle. Take a picnic and walk the Shawl to the castle, the views are quite breathtaking. Chocoholics should visit The Little Chocolate Shop whilst here and take a peek in Milners department store perhaps now famous after a television programme shown recently.

Take in Masham with its stylish Georgian architecture, fine church, independent shops and public houses; a park ideal for families with tennis courts, golf and horse riding facilities all nearby. Masham is also famous for the Theakston's and Black Sheep breweries dating back to 1827. Take a stroll along the river bank, enjoy a special meal at stately Swinton Castle, keep the children happy at Lightwater Valley Theme park or venture a little further to explore Ripon, Harrogate and York. Find the bank now in many a scene of the Heartbeat series.

There are many stately homes, castles and gardens dotted across the Dales, years of history for you to explore. Discover RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate which promises to be a truly surprising and entertaining day out. Visit the childhood home of Richard III at Middleham Castle in Middleham. The massive keep, one of the largest in England, served as a defensive building and self-contained residence.

Nidderdale AONB

The concept of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty was first considered in the late 1940's along with the formation of the National Parks. Unfortunately it took until 1994 before the Nidderdale area was given its rightful designation but the landscape is still as majestic now as it was then. The designation is only given to 'precious landscapes with distinctive character and natural beauty' which need to be protected and sustained for future generations.

The Nidderdale AONB is one of only 35 in England and covers an area of 233 square miles in North Yorkshire. To the north and west it bounds the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the high Pennine fells and to the south it follows the River Wharfe to pass north of Ilkley and Otley. To the east it skirts the townships of Masham and Ripon but includes the World Heritage Sites of Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey.

It is a varied landscape centred on Nidderdale which runs from the remote moorland of Great Whernside in the Pennines to the rich pastoral land on the edge of the Vale of York.

 Wonder at the natural rock features as diverse as the cave formations at Stump Cross Caverns, the fantastic shapes of Brimham Rocks and deep narrows of How Stean Gorge as well as the many crags and rocky escarpments. Enjoy the eleven reservoirs which form large artificial lakes that support tumults of water fowl and other wild life as well as providing leisure through fishing and water-sports. Idle by upland streams and clear waterfalls. Follow some of the extensive footpaths which lead through dale and vale linking secluded villages, continue through broadleaf woodland or traverse the wild moors bringing the landscape and its nature closer with every step. In the evenings enjoy the good food, good ale and general banter in a local pub or enjoy one of the many superb restaurants to be found close at hand.

Have fun, relax, breathe the fresh clean air, be awed by the timeless beauty, feel moved and refreshed by the experience but most of all enjoy it!