What are the Yorkshire Dales?
The Yorkshire Dales are a range of river valleys and hills in northern England, mostly in North Yorkshire and Cumbria. Most of the area is protected as the Yorkshire Dales National Park, known for green valleys, stone barns and waterfalls.
The word dale comes from an Old Norse word for valley. Famous dales include Wensleydale, Swaledale, Wharfedale and Malhamdale.
The landscape is shaped by limestone, which forms dramatic features such as Malham Cove, a curved cliff about 80 metres high, and limestone pavements.
Walking and villages
The Yorkshire Three Peaks, Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, are a popular walking challenge, with walkers trying to climb all three within 12 hours.
The Ribblehead Viaduct, on the Settle-Carlisle Railway, is a famous 24-arch bridge. Waterfalls such as Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force are popular attractions.
Villages such as Hawes, Grassington and Reeth have stone cottages and traditional pubs. Wensleydale cheese, made in Hawes, is famous. The Dales were used as a filming location for the television series All Creatures Great and Small.
The national park was extended in 2016.