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Wharfedale
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Kinseys Crag

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Autumn Scene in Wharfedale

Area: The Dales
Region: Southern Dales
County: North Yorkshire
Useful Links:
Yorkshire Dales Accommodation Search
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Tourist Information


Full Description: Wharfedale is one of the Yorkshire Dales longest and most beautiful dales, and is located in the south of the National Park. Upper Wharfdale’s landscape is dominated by white scars of rocks throughout the valley. Dramatic views of Wharfedale can be seen from the B6160 as you drive along, with Bolton Abbey and the River Wharfs source being just two of the many sights on view.

The land in Wharfedale has been carved by different settlers over the years. Today’s village settlements such as Linton, Grassington, Bolton Abbey and Kettlewell were established by Anglian pioneers who moved through the valley in the 6th and 7th centuries. Farm hamlets in the upper dale beyond Buckden were created by 10th century Norse Settlers. Fountains abbey and Bolton Priory were run by monks in medieval times, and both originally owned estates in Wharfedale, and it was the monks which created roads and lanes surrounding the limestone uplands. Bolton Abbey today is a popular family picnic venue as it is set next to the river and has many nature trails and footpaths in its surrounding area.

Villages in Wharfedale are very distinctive, Burnsall is thought by many as the prettiest village in England, and Grassington a charming village with the facilities of a town. In June Grassington’s festival a major music and arts is a very popular event. The Dickensian Festival held in December attracts visitors from miles away. Grassington is ideal for visitors travelling by car as the Yorkshire Dales National Park Centre has good car parking facilities.

The River Wharfe passes down Longstrothdale valley high up on the moors in the Yorkshire Dales, it continues down the dale through the hamlets of Hubberholme and Yockenthwaite to the village of Buckden at the head of Wharfedale. From here the Wharfe travels south towards Kettlewell and Kilnsey. On the east side of the dale past Grassington, Grass Wood an important Nature Reserve can be found along with Kilnsey’s famous crag, a dramatically over hanging limestone cliff which is popular with tourists and climbers. In August the northern agricultural show is held in Kilnsey every bank holiday, a feature of the event is the Fell Race up and down the crag. After Kilnsey, the Kettlewood road leads on towards Littondale and also links with Malham and Ribblesdale.

Kettlewell is the next village up the dale; it is here where most of the 2003 film the Calendar Girls was filmed. Kettlewells Scarecrow Festival in mid August is a popular with visitors to the area. Wharfedale continues into the villages of Starbotton and then Buckden. From Kettlewell you can cross over to Coverdale and Wensleydale along an upland road. Further downstream the River Wharfe passes by the villages of Grassington and Threshfield and on through The Strid, Burnsall and Bolton Abbey. The river then flows out of the national park and on through Otley and Ilkley to the Vale of York where it meets the River Aire.



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