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Wensleydale
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- Dales and towns
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- Airton
- Askrigg
- Aysgarth
- Bainbridge
- Bedale
- Blubberhouses
- Bolton Abbey
- Buckden
- Burnsall
- Clapham & Austwick
- Dentdale & Sedbergh
- Dent
- Embsay
- Fountains Abbey
- Gargrave
- Grassington
- Gunnerside
- Hawes
- Hellifield
- Horton-in-Ribblesdale
- Ingleton
- Keld & Thwaite
- Kettlewell
- Leyburn
- Lofthouse & Middlesmoor
- Long Preston
- Malham
- Masham
- Middleham
- Muker
- Malhamdale, Ribblesdale and Settle
- Pateley Bridge
- Redmire & Castle Bolton
- Reeth
- Ribblehead
- Richmond
- Ripon
- Rylstone & Cracoe
- Sedbergh
- Settle
- Skipton
- Stainforth
- Swaledale & Arkengarthdale
- Wensleydale
- Wharfedale
- Events
- Things to see and do
- Getting active
- Rights of way and Open Access
- Audio trails
- Young people
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Famous for its hills and dales, historic villages, traditional markets and crafts, Wensleydale provides an excellent holiday base from which to explore the Yorkshire Dales.
Water is an important feature of the landscape in Wensleydale. The stepped Aysgarth Falls and the highest single-drop waterfall in England, Hardraw Force, are well known, but there are many others to enjoy.
West Burton - in the Walden Valley - has its own spectacular waterfall, Cauldron Falls, made famous by the artist J M W Turner. Mill Gill Falls at Askrigg and Cotter Force to the west with its wheelchair accessible path are equally magnificent throughout the year.
Semer Water is the largest natural lake in the Dales. With its calmer waters, it provides activities for anglers, canoeists and sailors.
The main town in Upper Wensleydale is Hawes, home to the world-famous Wensleydale Creamery, the Dales Countryside Museum, shops and places to eat. From here you can also embark on a red squirrel trail to see these loveable creatures making a comeback in their natural habitat or visit Gayle Mill.
Lower Wensleydale’s main town is Leyburn with its three distinct cobbled squares where the thriving market is held every Friday. Bainbridge has a fascinating Roman history, being the location of a Roman road and fort. Across the River Ure is the village of Askrigg - the home of the fictional vet James Herriot from TV series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’.
For your very own secret garden experience, visit the wonderful Aysgarth Edwardian Rock Garden, commissioned by local landowner Frank Sayer- Graham (1859-1946). It has such a fascinating story that it is now Grade II listed.
Jervaulx Abbey, located in a beautiful, wooded setting by the River Ure, is privately owned but open to the general public. On your visit, please make a donation in the ‘honesty box’ to help towards its upkeep.
For more unspoilt and tranquil scenery, Bishopdale and Coverdale (Wensleydale tributaries) are secret gems waiting to be explored.
Visit www.wensleydale.org for more information about the towns and attractions mentioned.
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Yorkshire Dales National Park
Hay meadow in Malham, © Rick at Fortybelowzero.
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