Gods Own Country
Giggleswick is a small picturesque village. The nearby Giggleswick public school has a beautiful chapel which is sited on a promontory and with its striking copper-clad dome is a well known local landmark. Settle, just over the nearby river bridge, is an unspoilt and picturesque market town with a local market every Tuesday. There are antique, craft and gift shops, pubs, restaurants and a swimming pool which attract all kinds of visitors.
Settle-Carlisle Railway Settle marks the start of the widely acclaimed Settle-Carlisle railway, a 72 mile stretch of track passing through some of England's most dramatic scenery. The journey begins here in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, over the 24 arches of Ribblehead Vaiduct, before immersing itself through the longest tunnel on the line and emerging through the other side passing Dentdale. After leaving the Dales the journey sweeps its way through the lush rolling hills of Eden Valley before arriving at the border city of Carlisle.
The Yorkshire 3 Peaks Comprising of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough which form part of the Pennine range and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The 3 Peaks Challenge is a mecca for walkers and hikers from all around the Country. A gruelling 37.5km (23.5 miles) walk taking you over a variety of terrains that should not be underestimated. It includes 3 big climbs over some very rugged mountains where the weather can change quite quickly and should only be attempted by those going fully equipped and fully prepared.
Malham The area of Malham just over the hills, has some beautiful countryside, with alot to offer walkers and those who enjoy the outdoors. You could visit Malham Cove, a curved crag of carboniferous limestone formed after the last Ice Age. It stands some 80 metres high and 300 metres wide. The National Park Field Centre has nearby Gordale Scar with its overhanging gorge, streams and waterfalls. Malham Tarn is a natural upland lake with a surface area of 150 acres, and a reputation for its excellent trout. The Tarn also harbours a varied population of water birds - curlews, mallards, and greater crested grebe to name but a few, all protected in a sanctuary on the western shore. Malham also home to its striking moss covered waterfall at Janet's Foss, foss being the old Norse word for waterfalls and Janet the queen of the local fairies, who is said to reside in a cave behind the falls.
Ingleton, 10 miles north, is another area of natural beauty, famous for its caves and waterfalls. The famous Waterfalls Trail, is an 8km (4.5 miles) walk taking you through ancient woodland and magnificent Dales scenery via a series of breathtaking waterfalls and geological features. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England, with rare and interesting plants and animals, making this one of the most spectacular woodland and waterfalls scenery in the North of England. The White Scar Cave, one of the longest in Britain, is also worth a visit, with some of the finest landscapes in the country. You can take a tour through the caves and past its cascading waterfalls. Your guide will show you curious cave formations with fluorescing stalactites and stalagmites and prehistoric mud pools.
Skipton 16 miles south is the bustling market town of Skipton, with its award winning high street. Stalls line the cobbled streets where an open air market takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Leeds to Liverpool Canal runs through the town centre where visitors can stroll along the tow path or even drift along its waterway on a traditional barge. The town is guarded by the magnificent Skipton Castle, one of the best preserved and most complete medieval castles of its age (over 900 years old), steeped in history. With its beautiful early Tudor courtyard, which has given root to a yew tree that was planted in 1659.
