Yorkshire Dales Holiday Cottages

Getting to and around the Yorkshire Dales

Located in the north of England, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is easy to get to and to navigate, with trains and buses running throughout it. You shouldn't have any trouble getting to your Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage with public transport.

Around the Yorkshire Dales there are many large cities, all of which are well connected for national and international air travel, as well as rail and bus routes. To the south are the cities of York, Harrogate, and Bradford; to the west are Lancaster and Preston, and to the north-east lie Darlington and Middlesbrough.

Cuisine and culture

If you want to eat outside of your Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage, head to any local pub, where you're bound to find plenty of traditional hearty Yorkshire food – like Yorkshire puddings, by far the most well known element of Yorkshire cuisine, and usually served along with a Sunday roast.

One of the most famous cultural sights is Haworth, where, if you're a fan of the Brontë sisters, you can visit the place where they lived for most of their lives. Their house is open to visitors, as well as the church that holds the family vault. You can see how the landscape shaped their writings, and you can walk up to Top Withens, the supposed setting of Wuthering Heights. Afterwards, you can enjoy a cosy meal in one of the many country-style cafés and restaurants in Haworth.

Weather and climate

There’s a saying that in the Yorkshire Dales, you can get all four seasons in one day! As gorgeous as it can be, the weather can be unpredictable, so don’t forget your raincoat if you’re going out hiking. That said, this area has a climate that is suited to outdoor pursuits year-round, and more often than not you’ll get lovely warm sunshine, especially in the summer months.

Sights and activities

If you’re staying in a Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage, there’s always plenty to do, no matter the season or the weather. Here are just a few of the region’s incredible sights:

The Botanical Gardens: Near Harrogate, these family- and wheelchair-friendly gardens are as huge as they are spectacular. They offer a whole mixture of landscapes, from woodlands to flower gardens, and frequent special events, such as open-air theatre and quiz trails. Inside the gardens, you can also visit the tearoom for some classic tea and scones.

Aysgarth Falls: Located in Wensleydale on the River Ure, the Aysgarth Falls are a series of stunning waterfalls. A short walk through the woods from the car park and visitors centre brings you to the Upper Fall, the largest and most spectacular. The river drops down over huge slabs of rock in two more falls further downstream.

The Embsay railway in Skipton: From the original 1888 station in Skipton, you can ride the original old railway all the way to Bolton Abbey, watching the countryside pass by the window. This can be a fun day trip for families or individual travellers, allowing you to appreciate the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

White Scar Cave: A huge underground limestone cave in Ingleton, this mysterious place can be explored with a guided tour which covers one mile and takes about 80 minutes. Surrounded by echoing caverns and twisted rock formations, it’s like being in a different world.

Activities with children

Aerial adventure park: For a more adventurous activity, take the kids from your Yorkshire Dales holiday home out to climb in the forest canopy with rope bridges, ziplines and other obstacles to overcome!

The forbidden corner: A magical garden full of fairy-tale statues, labyrinths, underground chambers and hidden doors. While it’s a hit for children, even adults will enjoy crawling through the tunnels and exploring the secret chambers!

See the Yorkshire Dales' fascinating wildlife

There are 120 species of wildlife found in the Yorkshire Dales and you can easily spot some of the common mammals and birds on a walk through the Dales.

The red squirrel is often seen in Snaizeholme, considered the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Look out for the diminutive red deer that is commonly seen in the bushes around this area.

Between August and October each year, head to Whitby Harbour to see the minke whales making the journey down the coastline in search of mackerel and herring.

Malham Cove is the best place to see the peregrine falcon, which is one of the fastest birds in the world and puts on amazing aerial hunting displays.

Self-catering in your holiday cottage

A Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage or log cabin will be perfect for a relaxed holiday where you can enjoy cooking and eating together. Self-catering in your Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage should be easy, as supermarkets are never far away. If you have a car, it is very easy to shop, and buses connect all but the most rural of locations.

The Yorkshire Dales' castles and viaducts await

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Designated in 1954, the park attracts over eight million visitors annually. It houses attractions such as Bolton Castle, Aysgarth Falls, River Lune and the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Bolton Castle

The 1998 movie Elizabeth, starring Cate Blanchett, was filmed in this 14th c. medieval castle. Grab some tea and cakes at the lovely tea room and watch the daily falconry shows.

Ribblehead Viaduct

The longest viaduct on the Settle-Carlisle Railway, Ribblehead Viaduct is replete with memorials to men who died building the line in the 19th c. Beautiful waterfalls and caves lie nearby.

Ingleborough Cave

The Yorkshire Dales' most popular cave was first accessed in 1837. Floodlit passages reveal stalagmites and fossils, and the remains of a wooly rhineceros dating back millions of years.

Hesketh Farm Park

Kids will love the hands-on approach to animals at this farm, which is home to 1,000 cattle. The heated undercover barn provides relief in case of cold weather.