Yorkshire Dales – A National Park

Steeped in history and intrigue, the Yorkshire Dales are a fascinating point in the English landscape.

From wildlife to untamed natural beauty, there is so much to enjoy in this enchanting place.

Established in 1954, the dales cover an area of 1,762 square kilometres (680 square miles). They straddle the central Pennines in North Yorkshire and Cumbria and are North East of Manchester and directly North of Leeds and Bradford. The area is large and easy to locate.

The dales offer the largest area of nationally and internationally important habitats in the country. The wildflower rich hay meadows, pastures in the dale bottoms and the northern moorland edges, are so important for wading birds. The windswept uplands with their bogs and heathery hillsides, offer a home for native creatures and insects alike.

The south of the national park, displays one of the best examples in Britain of classic limestone, with its crags, pavements and intricate cave systems.

Unbeknown to many, is the fact that this landscape is shaped by ice, with significant glacial and post-glacial features, notably drumlin fields and the post-glacial lakes of Semerwater and Malham Tarn.

There are also some amazing waterfalls such as Hardraw Force with its 90ft single drop and Thornton Force with its erratic streams, unlike any other waterfall. The bodies of water in the Dales, combine to create some enchanting acoustics.

The Yorkshire Dales have inspired artists and poets for centuries, it truly is a special place. The tranquility is immeasurable but if you really want to absorb some captivating beauty, visit it at night, when the lack of pollution enables the night to retain its darkness, allowing the moon and stars to fully sparkle.