Yorkshire dales where is it

Without doubt it's Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese that's made this delightful corner of Yorkshire world-famous. Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB is a dramatic landscape of contrasts which has been shaped over thousands of years by the people who have lived and worked here. The Yorkshire Dales is home to outstanding scenery, great castles, abbeys and a breathtakingly peaceful atmosphere.

These protected areas are truly not to be missed. Each of the Yorkshire Dales has a different character. The Southern Dales are less remote, yet still wildly beautiful. The Northern Dales provide wild heather moorland and valleys full of hay meadows, dry stone walls and barns. And in the West, the pretty villages and small towns each have their own charm. The Dales are worth a visit at any time of year - whether it's to visit a snug country pub with an open fire in the winter months, or stay in a rambling riverside cottage for a summer break.

The possibilities are endless! Find out about how the Dales are protected for the enjoyment of everyone. Richmond The cultural capital of the Dales, Richmond also offers a welcome blend of history and beautiful scenery. Skipton You can't fail to be impressed by the symphony of historical treasures that Skipton has to offer. Leyburn From the striking limestone 'shawl' to nearby Aysgarth Falls, Leyburn is best explored on foot, and the town's network of bridleways and paths are a perfect place to start.

Hawes This magical little market town is England's highest, set feet above sea water. Masham Located in the breathtakingly beautiful region of Lower Wensleydale, Masham pronounced 'Massam' is famous for its family-run breweries, the idyllic and spacious market place a at its centre and its sheer beauty at all times of the year. Settle Ramblers flock to Settle and it's easy to see why. After the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, the Sedbergh booktown project was started in order to encourage an increase in the number of visitors.

The company, Sedbergh Book Town, was set up in to develop a community of businesses involved in selling, writing, publishing and designing books and other publications.

Dentdale , south of Sedbergh, is possibly the finest of the Cumbrian Dales, a valley full of beauty and historic interest. It is a charming community, with scattered homesteads, each sharing the fell and valley floor, owing much to the settlement patterns of the Vikings who came here in the 10th century. Dent is the only village in Dentdale, with its delightful cobbled streets.

To the south of the Dales is West Yorkshire while to the north thinly settled uplands stretch to the Tees and beyond into Scotland. The scattered farms, villages and small market towns of the Dales have generated their own community spirit.

Ancient settlements People have lived in the area for over 10, years. Early farmers cleared the woodland and developed the fields, creating the patchwork of dry-stone walls and barns so typical of the Dales. In the northern parts, lead mining has left a legacy in the form of disused mineral workings.

The timeless way of life for Dales farmers of sheep on the fells, hay meadows in the valley bottoms has created a landscape appreciated by residents and visitors alike.