A Wharfedale Tour in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

From Valerie France

There are hundreds of things to do in and around the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It covers nearly 700 square miles and even edges into the next county of Cumbria. Around 8 million people visit every year. Wharfedale is in its southerly region.

Plan A Wharfedale Tour

This tour itinerary covers a total of 103 miles, using the medieval city of York as its starting point. Use it to plan:

• a short, overnight break in Yorkshire
• an extension to my suggested 5-Day Yorkshire City Gems itinerary
• a whirlwind day trip.

Day Trip or Overnight?

Although you can cover this territory in a day, remember that country roads in the UK are usually slower than what you may be used to in North America and parts of Western Europe. Expect to spend at least twice as long covering distances as you might at home. You could spend most of your day in your car, with little time to take in the villages and sites on this itinerary.

With that in mind, I'd recommend at least an overnight stay in the popular village of Grassington

Itinerary Details

The first leg of this itinerary takes you from York to Ripley Castle, just north of Harrogate, a journey of 24 miles. See a zoomable, detailed map of the route

Previous

• Things to do in the Southern Fringe of the Yorkshire Dales National Park
• Ripley Castle and Estate
• Grassington in Wharfedale
• Skipton Castle
• Bolton Abbey Estate in the Yorkshire Dales

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