Self-catering cottage holidays in the Yorkshire Dales

Yorkshire dales

The Yorkshire Dales are nature’s gift to northern England, an area of moorland, hill and valley shaped by the elements and people to create a beautiful landscape and outdoor playground. Fields and meadows stand separated by traditional dry stone walls, where sheep and cows chew the cud. Limestone rocks and cliffs are a strong feature of this part of northern England, spanning parts of the Pennines in North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

The names of the various dales are familiar to many: Swaledale, Wharfedale, Wensleydale, Littondale, Nidderdale, Littondale. The stone-built houses of villages stand proud and strong against the elements.

Each period of history has left its mark on the Yorkshire Dales. Thanks to the Romans, several straight roads intersect the area and there are Roman Baths in Harrogate. Danes and Normans built settlements and farmed the land.

Local Yorkshire Dales interest

Wensleydale cheeses are manufactured in Hawes, in the Dales and have been for centuries. There is even a Wensleydale Visitor centre in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

There is an annual Yorkshire Dales Festival of Food and Drink which is always attractive to people on holiday. Sample the various local products and beer and perhaps take home a few Yorkshire delicacies to enjoy later.

In addition to walking on the Dales, there are plenty of tourist attractions for days out, good pubs, tea rooms and restaurants. The Yorkshire Dales are an excellent destination for a self-catering holiday in the north of England.

Yorkshire Dales pages:
North Yorkshire self-catering pages: