Yorkshire Dales
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden - Fountains Abbey and the water gardens at Studley Royal are a combination of medieval abbey ruins and a large park with lakes. The setting is dramatic, green green lawns and perfectly placid lakes set against the native dark green woodlands. There's a children's guide and program of family activities.
Wharfedale - Bolton Abbey is a picture perfect open air abbey ruin in a spectacular setting along the River Wharfe. (Reminiscent of Redwall Abbey.) Ride through the dales on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway for a spectacular way to arrive at Bolton Abbey. Take a walk on trails along the river through the rolling countryside to Barden Bridge and Barden Tower or Posforth Gills waterfall. Kilnsey Park Trout Farm has fly fishing for kids and pony trekking.
Wensleydale - Wallace and Gromit fans will want to stop in Wensleydale to sample the cheese. Visit the Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre to see how the cheese is made, taste cheese, and buy some cheese for your picnic lunch.
Nidderdale - Nidderdale is noted for it's spectacular scenery, including the weird sandstone Brimham Rocks and How Stean Gorge, a steep limestone cleft surrounded by winding paths through the woods. Stop in at the old market town of Pateley Bridge to relax and have a bite to eat.
Swaledale - Swaledale is James Herriot country. If you've been reading All Creatures Great and Small, you'll want to explore the moorlands yourself, on foot or rent bikes.
Caverns - The Yorkshire Dales are sprinkled with limestone caves with impressive stalagtites, stalagmites and waterfalls. Visit the caverns at Ingleborough Cave and Nature Trail (Clapham), White Scar Cave (Ingelton) or Stump Cross Caverns (Pateley Bridge).
At Ingleborough Cave, walk the nature trail up to the cave, take the 50 min. cavern tour, then continue walking up the trail for another 1/2 hour or so, and you can see where the river disappears in to the ground.Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre (Settle) - Watch different birds of prey take to the sky, including eagles, hawks, falcons, condors, vultures. Come between 4:00 and 4:30 pm for feeding times, when the birds of prey "hunt" for their dinner. The medieval skill of falconry is demonstrated at the center.
