Wharfdale: one of the most popular Yorkshire Dales
One of the best-known and much-loved Yorkshire Dales, Wharfedale runs from the north at Cray down to the south of the Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary and Skipton.
Wharfedale has many attractive and characterful villages such as Burnsall and Buckden where its five-arched bridge spans the Wharfe and is a popular paddling spot.
It encompasses limestone hills, moorland, waterfalls, rivers and ancient woodland. Steep hills and rocky crags make Wharfedale popular with walkers. Fell runners show off their prowess at the Kilnsey Show and Burnsall Feast fell races.
As the Wharfe flows through Bolton Abbey Estate there is a chance to see the Strid waterfalls and cross the river exactly as monks did centuries ago. There are plenty of spots along the Wharfe that are perfect for fishing both for experienced and novice anglers.
You may recognise Kettlewell from the 'Calendar Girls' film. It’s also where models of another kind can be found in August when the popular scarecrow festival takes place.
At nearby Kilnsey Park you can see red squirrels, fish for your supper or simply marvel at the height of the crags and the climbers trying to scale them.
The river Wharfe acts as the natural boundary between North and West Yorkshire, winding its way for 65 miles through some of the Dales’ best-loved villages.
Visitors from around the world are now discovering another side to Wharfedale, seeing Grassington as 'Darrowby' in the Channel5/PBS TV series of All Creatures Great and Small.
Discover more of Wharfedale and surrounding area
