The Yorkshire Dales is one of Britain’s loveliest national parks covering vast expanses of moorland in north Yorkshire. The first impression that a visitor gets coming to this area is remoteness – there is nothing but wilderness, heather and rocks, criss-crossed with moss clad dry-stone walls. Narrow roads travel up and down over the dales and into the valleys giving the unwary driver a rollercoaster experience. Hairpin bends and cattle grids add an edge to the drive. Small hump backed bridges carry the roads over tumbling brooks and rivers. Stand by the roadside and all you can hear is the sound of water tumbling and gurgling its way down the hillside.
Solid sturdy stone farmhouses shelter hardy hill farmers. Their sheep stand stoically out on the hillsides, chewing the cud.
Nights are inky black – a strange experience for city dwellers. Stars stand out vividly. Brightly coloured pheasants and rabbits are a common sight; neither shows much fear of man, they continue their usual activities without a care. It’s a thrill to spot a hawk eating road kill.
It’s evident that stone was the building material of choice in years gone past. The original village houses, especially in high streets are constructed of stone blocks to insulate the inhabitants from the oft times extreme weather and harsh winter conditions.
The small towns and villages provide visitors to the Yorkshire Dales National Park with essential shops, pubs and entertainment. Because of the influx of tourist, especially in the summer months, there are plenty of outdoor wear shops, tea shops but also small specialist shops that provide services and goods that are rare in larger towns and cities taken over by chain stores. It’s a pleasure to browse a country fare shop, the old fashioned sweet shops that still stock sweets and chocolates from a bygone age, admire the artwork in the small art galleries, or examine the curious contents of an antique shop.
The locals welcome visitors. They have time to stand and stare and are happy to tell visitors about the Dales. The elements may be harsh but hearts are warm in Yorkshire.
.....more about the various dales in the Yorkshire Dales