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There are many reasons to visit and stay in the Yorkshire dales, not least of
which is the tranquility and unspoilt beauty of the National Park. Aysgarth is
well situated, centrally in Wensleydale, within the park and listed below are
some of the activities and places
of interest to
visit during your stay.
- What's on in the Yorkshire Dales in
2010
Listed here are some of prime events during the year which
are all either local or a short scenic drive away from Heather
Cottage:
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Apr 2 |
The Good Friday Middleham Stables Open day |
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Apr 24 |
The Three Peaks Annual race |
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Apr 20-25 |
Harrogate Spring Flower Show |
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May 1-3 |
The Dales Festival of Food and Drink -
Leyburn
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May 29-Jun 13 |
Swaledale Music Festival |
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May 31st |
Swinton Park Alfresco Food Festival |
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Jul 4 |
Burn Valley Half marathon run - Masham &
Swinton Park |
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Jul 13-15 |
Great Yorkshire Show - Harrogate |
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Jul 17-18 |
Masham Steam Fair |
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Aug 14-22 |
Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival |
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Aug 25 |
Reeth Agricultural Show - Swaledale |
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Aug 28 |
Wensleydale Agricultural Show - Leyburn |
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Sep 10-12 |
Wensleydale "Boots n' beer" walking weekend |
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Sep 12 |
Hardraw Scar Brass Band Festival |
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Sep 17-19 |
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show |
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Sep 25-26 |
Masham Sheep Fair |
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Dec 4, 11 & 18 |
Grassington Dickensian Festival |
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Dec 11-12 |
Masham Victorian Fair |
- Walking and cycling
One of the prime activities for visitors is to walk and/or cycle through the
dales.
Herriot Way
Aygarth is on the Herriot way which is a 4 day walk circular walk through
both Wensleydale and Swaledale and across the tops of the moors between.
Many visitors choose to both start and end their walk on the Herriot way
with a stay at Heather cottage and we are happy to help with luggage
transfers between the other B&B's (£5 per transfer) while you walk. You may also park your
cars here for the duration of your visit.
We also offer a "Herriot Way shuttle service" where, instead of
checking into different B&B's each night, you can spend each night in
the comfort and luxury of our 4-star silver awarded B&B at Heather cottage
and we will shuttle you out to each of your morning walk start points and
pick you up again at the end of each days walk, bringing you back to Heather
cottage. There is only a nominal charge per party of up to 4 people of £9
per day. Day stops are:
Day 1: Pick up at Reeth at end of the day
Day 2: Morning drop off at Reeth and pick up at Keld at end of day
Day 3: Morning drop off at Keld and pick up at Hawes at end of day
Day 4: Morning drop off at Hawes
Aysgarth Falls:
This is a gentle 15 minute stroll from Heather cottage
to see the
3 majestic waterfalls (upper, middle and lower) in the Ure valley where "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves"
was filmed. Take an easy walk between the falls, along
the wooded pathways which are full of wild orchids, bluebells and snowdrops
in the early to late springtime and then perhaps lunch at Karen's cafe at
the
visitor centre.
Bowland-Dales Traverse
Aysgarth lies in the middle of this 4-6 day 85 mile walk which takes in
some spectacular scenery on the way. Why not stop over for an extra night in
Aysgarth, enjoy the river, its falls and a well earned extra break before
climbing over the moors on the next stage of your walk.
Click here for details of the walk
Other notable walks:
From the door of Heather cottage, visitors can walk to and climb to the summit of Addleborough,
perhaps then eating a packed lunch (which we are happy to prepare for you) while enjoying the views down over Semerwater, one of the few natural lakes in the Dales.
Or walk down into Bishopdale and visit the villages of Thoralby or West
Burton. West Burton, like many villages in the dale has its own small
waterfall which tumbles down into a fairy-like dell
A short drive away walkers can also enjoy Wharfedale, or take up the Pennine
way at Hawes for a stretch or drive on to Ingleton to see and walk by the spectacular
falls there.
Please note that if you wish to do a linear walk back to Heather cottage
during your stay then we would be happy to arrange transport for you to your
start point at the beginning of the day. If you require any information
about the walks or would like to plan your itinerary while here, then you are
welcome to make use of the many guides and walking books at Heather Cottage.
- Surrounding Villages
Walk or drive through the neighbouring villages of West
Burton, Askrigg and Carperby where the popular TV series based on James
Herriot's "All Creatures Great and Small" was filmed. Each of the
dales villages has its own unique charm and character and many have their
own streams, rivers and waterfalls where you can picnic on a lazy afternoon
while taking a break from hiking across the moors and uplands. If you would
like us to put together a picnic lunch for you then just ask...
- Fishing
The river Ure flows just a few minutes walk away and this offers excellent
opportunities for trout and grayling fishing in some of the most magnificent
Yorkshire dales scenery. Please contact us before your arrival and we would
be happy to help you with the relevant fishing permits.
- Castles and Abbeys
Become a tourist for a day visiting the
Castles and Abbeys of the area.
Bolton Castle, a 14th century fortress where
Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned is just a few minutes drive away and is
one of the country's best preserved castles. Further afield are the castles
in the market town of Richmond and in Middleham, which is also home to many
racing stables.
Jervaulx Abbey; the ruins of a 12th century Cistercian Abbey near Ripon is
also worth a visit and afterwards, why not call into the
Brymoor Ice Cream
parlour next door to sample one of the many flavours of locally made ice
cream.
- Market Towns
Leyburn: The market town of Leyburn is only a 10 minute drive away
and has interesting shops and cafes where you can while away the hours,
perhaps taking a break from strenuous walking for a days recuperation.
...and don't forget the
Dales Festival of Food
and Drink - held annually in Leyburn over the May Bank
holiday is a great day out and within easy reach from Heather cottage.
Hawes: The cobbled streets and Dickensian charm of Hawes (15 min
drive) in the upper dale, surrounded by majestic hill country is certainly
worth a visit. Hawes is also home to the
Ropemakers and to the
Creamery where Wensleydale
cheese, famous by Wallace and Grommit, is made.
- Theme Parks
Forbidden Corner:
"Just when you thought it was safe to go into
the garden" -
The Forbidden corner is only a 15
minute drive away and is a fascinating melange of mazes, underground
tunnels, folly architecture and surprises for the whole family - expect to
spend the good part of the day here!
Lightwater valley: A traditional Theme park (25 min drive) full of
rides and amusements,
Lightwater Valley is great
for a fun-filled day out.
- Adventure and Nature trails
Thorpe Perrow: 85 acres of arboretum, woodland garden and falconry,
especially fascinating during the autumn months as the colours change.
Thorpe Perrow also hosts a large falconry with flying
demonstrations 3 times daily
Aerial Extreme: A Tree Top adventure playground course of rope
bridges, scramble nets and zip slides.
Aerial Extreme is a 35 minute drive
away.
- Other information and links
The following links can be used to obtain local or tourist information about Wensleydale:
www.thedales.org.uk -
for local information about the dales and Aysgarth
www.yorkshire-dales.com
www.whitepages.co.uk
Hotels and Guest Houses Network - A directory of hotels and bed and breakfasts for Cumbria and the lake district.
Ripon & East Dales Hotels, iknow-yorkshire.co.uk
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