Wensleydale

Jervaulx Abbey (14mi/22km northwest of Ripon) is an impressive ruined abbey, in a beautiful riverside setting. It dates from the late 12th and the early 13th century. Little is left of the church, but the extensive monastic buildings of the former Cistercian house can be seen.

The valley of the Ure is known as Wensleydale only above Jervaulx: and here too its finest scenery begins, with waterfalls and a series of charming little villages on the banks of the river. One of the most beautiful of these is Middleham, with racing stables.Middleham is also home to a castle that was started in 1190 and now stands in ruin except for the keep, 13th century chapel and 14th century gatehouse.

From Middleham the road continues via Wensley, with its very fine church (Flemish brass of ca. 1360 by Simon de Wenslaw) to the well-preserved Castle Bolton (1379-1397), opulent home of the Scrope family until 1630. Mary Stuart was held captive here for six months in 1568.A medieval garden has been redeveloped on the site of the original gardens.

At Hawes (32mi/51.2km from Ripon) a cheese factory making the famous Wensleydale cheese can be visited. The town's new Dales Countryside Museum depicts life in the Dales in earlier times.

Behind the pretty little village of West Witton rises Penhill Beacon (1,792ft/546m). West Witton holds a well-known "Burning of Bartle" ceremony every year on August 24th with villagers carrying an effigy of St Bartholomew and then burning it on a bonfire. Beyond Aysgarth, 23mi/37km from Ripon, are three waterfalls, the finest of which is Aysgarth Force, half a mile beyond the bridge.The National Park Center displays the history and natural history of the area.

Pateley Bridge (pop. 1,900) is a lovely little town located on the B265 southwest of Ripon. The town is the ideal starting and stopping point for walkers on the circular Nidderdale Way. High Street in Pateley Bridge has many specialty shops, craft centres and tea rooms.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale is a good place from which to hike and as a base for climbing Pen-y-Ghent. It is located north of Settle on the A682.

Grassington is a small town that is popular with tourists for the shops, restaurants and cafes. The information center for Yorkshire Dales National Park is in Grassington and it provides maps, guides and local information.

Ingleton is an attractive small town on the A65 between Skipton and Kendal. The area surrounding the town of Ingleton is popular with visitors looking to explore the caves, waterfalls, and mountains as well as the geological and archaeological sites.

From Hawes a winding hill road leads to Muker in Swaledale, passing after 2mi/3.2km Hardraw Force waterfall, and going over the Buttertubs Pass, named after five deep holes in the rock between 50ft/15m-100ft/30m.