Treat yourself to an indulgent holiday in the Yorkshire Dales where you can relax in 5* comfort in a collection of luxury self-catering cottages. The owners of these exclusive properties have created havens of bliss. Guests enjoy features like outdoor hot tubs, restaurant-quality kitchens, top-quality furnishings, welcome baskets with delectable goodies, and sumptuous bedding and towels that wrap guests in luxury from the moment they arrive until they reluctantly wave goodbye. The Yorkshire Dales National Park welcomes visitors in every season, enticing them with unforgettable views, Michelin starred restaurants, world-class spa facilities, and a unique Yorkshire character that is as authentic as it is welcoming.
Keep reading to find out why the Yorkshire Dales should be the destination for your romantic escape, family holiday, or location for a milestone celebration with your best friends. Read more
Stately Homes and Country Estates
The Yorkshire Dales boasts some of the most impressive houses in the entire country. Some, such as Jervaleux Abbey, Fountains Abbey, and Bolton Abbey suffered at the hands of Henry VIII’s reformation and are now ruins, albeit breathtaking ones. Bolton Castle, however, is still fit for royalty, having stood as a fortified home for over 600 years. Spend the day touring the castle and grounds, enjoying the generous Yorkshire hospitality in the tea room after participating in a falconry experience or a hawk walk. Ripley Castle is close to Harrogate and also a superb choice for a day out. The climate in the Dales lends itself beautifully to gardening with spectacular floral displays at places such as those at Parcevall Hall and Constable Burton Hall.
Country Pursuits
Shooting and fishing have long been favoured pastimes of the gentry. Middleham House hosts one of the premier shoots in the Dales or contact Primoris Sporting and let them arrange a day’s shoot with lunch. The Aire and Wharfe rivers are both renowned for the quality of their fish, especially trout. Try your luck with wild fishing in the river by Bolton Abbey or visit a fishery like the one at Helwith Bridge in between Ingleton and Settle, where the waters are well-stocked and tuition is available.
World-Class Dining and Shopping
As fantastic as the outdoor pursuits are, the Yorkshire Dales can also provide an upmarket experience for those who love to shop. Skipton, Leyburn and Richmond all have an excellent variety of shops, with Harrogate and York being within easy reach of the southern Dales for a day of designer indulgence.
Yorkshire has five Michelin starred establishments including The Angel in Hetton near Skipton. If you can’t get there, then you can bring the restaurant experience to your holiday-home by with the services of a private chef like James Howe or the family-run Fairhursts Catering.
Mind, Body and Soul
Allow the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales to rejuvenate your body and soul either by immersing yourself in the unspoiled natural surroundings or taking advantage of one of the area’s excellent spas and wellness venues. Examples include The Meditation Centre in Dent, Pure Spa at Long Ashes Park, and the holistic classes at the Avalon Experience at Broughton Hall.
Custom Guided Tours
Make the most of your stay by engaging the services of a local expert. Whether you want assistance navigating the wilderness to reach the best secret beauty spots, desire the knowledge of a historian to bring towns and villages to life, or want a chauffeur-driven tour that is specific to your interests, you can have it. Try Dales Bike Centre for guided mountain bike rides, Peak Walking for adventures on foot, and Dales Tours for tailor-made day trips.
The Yorkshire Dales is renowned for its spectacular views, upland walking and country pursuits, as well as its exceptional food and drink. Staying in a luxury holiday cottage gives you the comforts of a country hotel with the space and tranquillity of a private home so that you can have the best of both worlds.
