Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is, for many people, the definitive English landscape. Its broad green valleys, divided by miles of dry stone wall and dotted with stone barns, stretch from the Pennine ridge in the west to the edge of the Vale of York in the east. Limestone pavements, cascading waterfalls, deep caves, and some of the most rewarding walking in the country — the Dales have it all. And from our depot in Pontefract, you can be among them in under an hour.

The drive from Pontefract to the southern Dales is straightforward. Take the A1(M) northward and peel off at Wetherby or Harrogate, then follow the A59 westward through Blubberhouses and into the Wharfe Valley. Alternatively, the M62 and M606 take you toward Keighley, from where the road climbs through Skipton — the gateway to the Dales — and into the heart of the national park. From our depot to Skipton is roughly 50 minutes, and from Skipton the landscape changes with every mile.

Wharfedale is often the first valley that motorhome visitors encounter, and it sets the bar high. Bolton Abbey, owned by the Duke of Devonshire, sits in a loop of the River Wharfe surrounded by woodland, moorland, and the dramatic Strid — a narrow gorge where the entire river forces itself through a gap barely a few feet wide. The ruined priory, the stepping stones, and the riverside walks make this one of the most popular spots in the Dales. Further up the valley, Grassington is a handsome market village with cobbled streets, independent shops, and an excellent base for walks up onto the limestone terraces above. Kettlewell and Buckden lie further north, each smaller and quieter than the last, until the road climbs over the pass toward Wensleydale.

Wensleydale, the broadest of the Dales, is famous for its cheese and its waterfalls. The Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes is a must-visit, with tours, tastings, and a shop stocked with cheeses that have been made in this valley for over 800 years. Hawes itself is a lively market town at the head of the dale, and from there you can walk to Hardraw Force, the highest single-drop waterfall in England, which tumbles over a limestone ledge into a natural amphitheatre. Aysgarth Falls, lower down the valley, spreads across three tiers of wide limestone steps and is particularly spectacular after heavy rain.

Swaledale, to the north, is wilder and less visited than its neighbours. The valley runs from the old lead-mining town of Reeth through a landscape of flower-rich meadows, stone barns, and scattered farms. The road from Reeth to Keld follows the river through increasingly dramatic scenery, with waterfalls at Kisdon Force and Wain Wath Force. The Tan Hill Inn, perched on the moor above Keld, is the highest pub in Britain at 1,732 feet above sea level — a suitably remote spot for a pint after a day on the fells.

The Three Peaks — Whernside, Ingleborough, and Pen-y-ghent — dominate the western Dales. The Three Peaks Challenge, a 24-mile circular walk over all three summits, is one of the most popular fell-walking challenges in England. Each peak has its own character: Whernside is the highest at 2,415 feet, Ingleborough has the most dramatic profile with its flat summit plateau, and Pen-y-ghent's stepped ridge is one of the most distinctive silhouettes in the Dales. The village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, where most walkers start and finish, has a cheerful cafe culture built around feeding hungry hikers.

For motorhome campsites, the Dales are well served. Knight Stainforth Hall near Settle offers pitches beside the River Ribble with views up to the fells. Bainbridge Ings in Wensleydale provides a peaceful base close to Aysgarth Falls. Howgill Lodge near Barden has stunning views across Wharfedale. Many sites are small, family-run operations that welcome motorhomes and offer a genuine sense of being in the countryside rather than a holiday park.

The roads through the Dales are a pleasure to drive. The B6160 through Wharfedale, the A684 along Wensleydale, and the B6270 through Swaledale are all scenic routes that suit motorhome travel. The passes between the valleys — Buttertubs Pass from Wensleydale to Swaledale, Fleet Moss from Wensleydale to Langstrothdale — are among the most dramatic driving routes in England. Take them slowly, pull over for the views, and you will understand why the Dales draw people back year after year.

Whether you have a long weekend or a full fortnight, the Yorkshire Dales reward every minute. The combination of accessible walking, genuine natural beauty, warm village pubs, and a campsite network that caters well to motorhomes makes this one of the finest touring destinations in the country. And with our Pontefract depot placing you within easy striking distance, there is no excuse not to go.