National Park: Yorkshire, Cumbria
Limestone uplands in central northern England 1,769 sq km/683 sq miles
Expansive, tranquil, rugged and sometimes bleak limestone uplands straddling the Pennines in North Yorkshire, including celebrated sites such as Wensleydale, with a triangle extending along Dentdale into southeast Cumbria. Designated in 1954.
Local authorities
Promoted routes
Maps
OL2,
OL19,
OL30,
297,
298,
302,
304 Harvey maps Superwalker 1:25 000 waterproof, £7.95 each
Howgill Fells, ISBN 1 85137 148 6
Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks, ISBN 1 85137 299 7
Yorkshire Dales Bentham, ISBN 1 85137 328 4 Public transport
The famous scenic Settle and Carlisle railway line runs through the Park from Leeds via Settle, Horton, Ribblehead, Dent, Garsdale and Kirkby Stephen, with several services daily: a Freedom of the Line Rover Ticket giving 3 days unlimited travel on the line is available from stations. On summer Sundays a special Dales Rail service runs between Blackpool and Carlisle along the line, with connecting with trains from Manchester, guided walks and buses to Richmond, Sedbergh in Dent Dale, Barnard Castle, Garrigill, Killhop and Hadrian's Wall, with cheap ticket deals available: for more information visit www.dalesrail.com or ring Clitheroe Interchange on 01200 429832. For more on the line itself, visit the Settle - Carlisle Railway Development Company at www.settle-carlisle.co.uk. Ask them about two leaflets suggesting some short walks from the line. There are regular rail services to other major centres around the park, including York, Leeds, Skipton, Ilkley and Harrogate.
Local bus services link centres in the Park such as Malham and Grassington with Leeds, Skipton and Harrogate. The Dalesbus network operates on Sundays and bank holidays, with a comprehensive summer service (starting 31 March) and a few key services continuing into the winter. Various ticket deals are available, including a Sunday Rover giving unlimited travel on the leisure bus network: prices vary according to the number of zones required and good value family prices are available. A full programme of led walks connecting with bus services is also organised through the year. More information from the excellent Dalesbus website maintained by the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport User Group at www.dalesbus.org, which also has details of guided walks by public transport.
Detailed information on all public transport in the Park is available from information centres listed on the website below or by visiting www.traveldales.org.uk. Timetable information is also available from Traveline: see National listings.
Contacts
- Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yorebridge House, Bainbridge, Leyburn DL8 3EE, tel 0870 166 6333
Colvend, Hebden Road, Grassington BD23 5LB, tel 0870 166 6333
www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
Visitor centre, Hawes tel 01969 667450
www.destinationdales.org - Yorkshire Dales Society The Civic Centre, Cross Green, Otley LS21 1HD, tel 01943 461938
www.yorkdalesoc.yorks.net
Campaigns to preserve the natural and cultural environment of the Dales.
