Yorkshire Dales Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

recommended places to visit and things to do in the Yorkshire Dales


  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • transport
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  • trains

with events, demonstrations of traditional crafts and changing exhibitions telling the story of the Yorkshire Dales, landscape and people, past and present

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • transport
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  • trains

built in 1888 with a new award winning Bolton Abbey station which is a reconstruction of the original and vintage steam locomotives

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

the edge of the lovely town of Grassington in the heart of Wharfedale, with large car park and picnic facilities

  • museum
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre

a family interactive experience where the visitor can learn about cheese, watch demonstrations and try out some cheese

  • brewery
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • history
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  • local history

with many interesting artefacts and items relating to nearly two hundred years of brewing, as well as an opportunity to sample any of six different cask ales

  • archeological site
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  • park
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  • place of worship
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • National Trust
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

founded in the twelfth century, these magnificent ruins echo with centuries old stories. Wonderful walking with ancient tree avenues and a playful water garden

  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

with over 80 miles of riverside, woodland and moorland paths, medieval buildings, picnic areas, tearooms and restaurants, gift shops and fabulous scenery there is something for everyone

Bowes Castle

Barnard Castle

  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • English Heritage
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • walking

massive ruins of Henry II's 12th-century tower keep, set within the earthworks of a Roman fort guarding the strategic Stainmore Pass over the Pennines