Things to Do

The Coldstones Cut

The Coldstones Cut boasts of being the biggest and highest piece of public artwork in Yorkshire.

The sculpture was commissioned by Nidderdale visual arts and Hanson Aggregates, who run the Coldstones Quarry, which the sculpture overlooks. In late 2009, both the necessary planning permission was given and funding provided.

An Impressive Sculpture That Offers Stunning Views This impressive sculpture on Greenhow Hill was created by Andrew Sabin, and work on the design took three years. It was in March 2010 that construction commenced, and the sculpture was completed the same year. The Coldstones Cut was opened on September 16th by the Director of Tate Britain, Dr Penelope Curtis. The views from the Coldstones Cut are stunning. Visitors will be able to see Nidderdale, which is situated in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, as well as Coldstones Quarry, which is still in use and among the highest quarries in England. A Mix of Old and New Visitors are able to walk all around the sculpture, which stands 1,375 feet above sea level. The Coldstones Cut sculpture is a mix of both old and new, as it combines ancient stone blocks with a contemporary streetscape. The streetscape is complemented by winding paths, and there are platforms that allow the visitor to appreciate different views from the sculpture. Parking is available near the sculpture, which is close to both Skipton and Visitors are advised to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, because of the sculpture’s isolated position. Admission is free and the Coldstones Cut is always open to the public.

Find Out More

Brimham Rocks

Brimham Rocks are a collection of rocks scattered across 50 acres of moorland near Pateley Bridge in North Yorkshire. Maintained by the National Trust, the rocks are open to public viewing 365 days a year from dawn until dusk.

These unusual rock formations came about through glaciation and erosion from wind and rain of the millstone grit sandstone that is found in the area. Geologists have dated the rocks at around 320 million years old. A large river originating in Norway, and passing through the mountains of northern Scotland, washed grit and sand into a delta that extended across much of the county of Yorkshire. The grit and sand combined with feldspar and quartz formed the sandstone called millstone grit.

Over time nature has carved the rocks into weird and wonderful shapes, earning them nicknames such as the Sphinx, the Eagle, Idol rock, the Turtle, the Camel and the Dancing Bear. The rock shapes we see today were most likely formed by erosion during the last glacial period, which occurred from around 110,000 to 10,000 years ago. Without plant cover the sand-blasting effect wore down the softer layers of rock, creating unusual shapes such as Idol Rock, on which a giant curved rock balances improbably atop a tiny plinth.

The rocks have a place in popular culture: the children’s television shows Knightmare and Roger and the Rottentrolls were partly filmed in Brimham Rocks, and they were also used as a backdrop in the video for the Bee Gees’ song ‘You Win Again’.

The National Trust operates a visitor centre, shop and kiosk at Brimham Rocks, where visitors can find out more about how these weird and wonderful rocks were formed.

Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey represents the largest set of monastic ruins in the country, and as history lovers will know, we have Henry VIII to thank for them. Not content with claiming the job as head of the Church in England in order to divorce Katherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, he then set about relieving the abbeys and monasteries of their enormous wealth. There can’t be many places in the UK that generate such a mixed attack on the senses as Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire. The ruins themselves evoke a tumultuous period for the Church in England, whilst at the same time, the beauty and serenity of the setting cannot fail to calm the soul.

The Church in Ruins

Founded in 1132, the abbey was part of the Cistercian Order of “White Monks”. Some four hundred years later, however, Henry’s dissolution brought its days to an end and saw its treasures and property transferred to the Crown, and its stone, lead and glass to anyone who wanted it.

Beauty Amongst the Rubble

These days Fountains Abbey is a magnet for tourists. Set in the stunning Skell Valley, between Harrogate and Ripon, access is convenient with the A1 only 9 miles away. The ruins themselves are still remarkably intact with plenty of passages, staircases and towers to explore.

Being part of the Studley Royal Estate, visitors can also enjoy awe-inspiring scenery, sweeping manicured lawns and the river Skell which flows past the ruins and helps form the tranquil Studley Royal Water Garden and Studley Lake.

Mixing Old and New

As with all historical attractions, a nod in the direction of modernity is required to cater for today’s visitors and Fountains Abbey is no exception with cafés, shops and a variety of activities on offer. Couples can even use it as a dramatic backdrop for their wedding photographs, which perhaps one day their grandchildren will look at in wonder.

The real wonder of the place however must surely be the jaw-dropping fact that craftsmen actually possessed the skills to construct such a beautiful building nearly one thousand years ago.

How Stean Gorge: A natural wonder

This limestone ravine carved out over thousands of years by water flow, is situated in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. The gorge is nearly a kilometre long (1/2 mile), and is as much as 80 feet deep in some areas.

Follow the winding paths, explore the caves by torchlight or take part in some amazing instructor-led outdoor activities. Book as a group or individually.

Via Ferrata – High Wire Adventure

A new addition to the How Stean Gorge attractions, the Via Ferrata, was opened in 2009. Here, visitors can experience the thrills of balancing on beams and ladders and traversing the rock face above the rushing water. New for 2014, Postman’s walk, Burma Bridge and the Tyrolean Traverse.

Gorge walking

With all safety equipment provided, you start your adventure by abseiling off the bridge and scrambling over boulders and rocks upstream. Sit under waterfalls and slide downspouts. Your adventure is filmed on headcams. A DVD is provided subject to successful recording.

Caving – Be Amazed

Explore the underground passages of Nidderdale with one of our qualified leaders. As well as being shown underground passages in Nidderdale and the surrounding area, visitors will experience climbing up waterfalls.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Learning to canoe and kayak with How Stean’s outdoor adventure team in stunning scenery at Scar House Reservoir is a unique experience. Master the art of the open canoe whilst having fun with family or friends. Our instructors are qualified by the British Canoe Union.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing sessions are available at How Stean Gorge and on Brimham Rocks, with a variety of different routes to attempt. These are tailored for climbers with little or no experience, and an AALA approved instructor will be on hand to aid climbers.

Opening Times

How Stean Gorge is situated between Pateley Bridge and Masham. Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Admission to the gorge is free for the under 5s, family tickets are available. Onsite camping and bunkhouse are available. How Stean Gorge also has its own restaurant/shop/post office.

Stump Cross Caverns

Situated between Wharfdale and Nidderdale in the beautifully rugged county of North Yorkshire, Stump Cross Caverns provide a wonderfully atmospheric and genuinely interesting place to visit. It’s a truly delightful break from the tourist norm.

The History of Stump Cross Caverns

They were discovered completely by chance in the year 1860 by Messrs William and Mark Newbould who had been prospecting for lead in the Yorkshire Dales. It wasn’t until some 60 years later that they were explored more fully and during the 1920s started to become a popular tourist destination and the years that followed saw the introduction of a gift shop and tourist centre to provide information for the many visitors that came to the site. Millions of years ago what is now the Yorkshire Dales was submerged under an ocean. The sediment from this ocean created limescale and over time this hardened. When the limestone was hit by acid rain some 500000 years ago the caves were formed and this is the basis for what you can see when you visit.

The Cave Site

There are the show caves that are open to the public, but away from that the system actually spans a further 6 km. Most of this distance is only traversable by cavers of considerable experience, but in the future, it’s hoped more will be made safe and available for the public to visit.
There are remains of a Wolverine, Reindeer and Bison on display at the visitor centre. It is thought that these long-extinct animals had made their way into the cave to search for food and died there!

Planning a Visit to Stump Cross Caverns

The caverns are situated on the B6252 near Pateley Bridge. The road is easily accessible by car and there is also a bus service that runs to the caves. The cavern’s opening times are between 10 am and 6 pm every day between the months of February and December. During the winter months, the caves are only open at weekends.

Admission:

Adults is £11
Children 3 – 13 £7 includes quiz trail & prize
Infants 0-2 get in for free without trail or £2 with trail

The Nidderdale Way

In the Yorkshire Dales lies the Nidderdale Way, a 53-mile circular walk that encompasses a landscape unchanged in millennia, and outstanding in its natural beauty.

Centred on the picturesque town of Pateley Bridge, the Nidderdale Way offers a fabulous walking holiday, a great challenge for cyclists, and a terrific way to see this most beautiful part of the country from the back of a horse.

However you choose to traverse the Nidderdale Way, you are in for a visual treat.

Deep in the Dales

The Nidderdale Way is situated within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK. The AONB consists of around 233 sq miles (603 sq km) of the Yorkshire Dales – part of the UK’s system of national parks and nature reserves. The AONB is a protected area, free from unwanted development and unspoilt for future generations.

The Nidderdale AONB has been designated precisely because of its stunning views and contrasting landscapes, wild moorland and wildlife, historical sites and picturesque villages.

The central feature of the AONB is the River Nidd, a long dale that runs from the fells towards the Vale of York. The AONB’s western side is more remote and wild, its heather moorland teeming with wildlife with few human inhabitants. And on the eastern side, the landscape is a more pastoral one of farmland, sheltered river valleys, parks and gardens.

Take it to the Bridge

The biggest town on the Nidderdale Way is Pateley Bridge and most visitors tackling the route will make the town their starting point. A market town around 30 minutes from Harrogate, Pateley Bridge is situated against a steep hillside with the River Nidd flowing through the town.

From an industrial past – the Scotgate Ash Quarry that overlooks the town supplied the stone used in the steps for the National Gallery in London – Pateley Bridge is now a popular visitor destination with speciality shops and tearooms, and a number of pubs where walkers and hikers can slake their thirst.

The Nidderdale Museum tells the story of the town and the Dales’ fascinating past, with exhibits devoted to the industries that made the area, such as agriculture. Curious visitors can also tackle the heritage trails around town that reveal Pateley Bridge’s past. And, of course, there’s beautiful scenery to be appreciated – the steep valley sides of the river are filled with ancient woodlands and are perfect for a quiet stroll or picnic.

Attractions on the Nidderdale Way

The 53 miles of the Nidderdale Way are contained almost totally within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with only the town of Ripley to the east not part of the AONB. It meanders through the Upper, Middle and Lower Valleys of the Nidd.

The Upper Valley boasts the stunning limestone gorge of How Stean Gorge – dubbed “Little Switzerland” by Victorian climbers– and the unspoilt, cobblestoned village of Middlesmoor that can trace its roots to the 12th century and enjoys a remarkable position perched on a steep hillside. The views from lofty Middlesmoor Church are priceless. Don’t miss visiting the “ghost” village of Scar House where more than 1,250 people once lived and worked in the 1920s to build the Scar House Reservoir that serves the city of Bradford. All that remains now are the concrete bases of the houses on the approach road to the dam, leaving a ghostly presence in this beautiful place.

In the Middle Valley is Brimham Rocks, an extraordinary collection of weirdly shaped rock formations that fills some 50 acres of Brimham Moor. The landscape here, of heather moorland and woodland, is stunningly beautiful and provides marvellous views over the whole Nidderdale valley.

Ripley Castle, in the Lower Valley, has been the home of the Ingilby family for 700 years. Its gardens, laid out by Capability Brown, are one of Yorkshire’s best-loved attractions, and a riot of colour in spring and summer. The town of Ripley itself was laid out in the 19th century in the style of a French village – don’t miss the stocks at its mediaeval market cross.

The Great Outdoors

The Nidderdale Way is a paradise for walkers – the route can be completed in four days – and climbers; although most of the route is low level, there are some challenging valley sides to tackle, too, making the route ideal too for those who want to explore this gorgeous part of the world on two wheels, or on horseback.

Accommodation is plentiful, including hotels, country inns, B&Bs, hostels and camping, and pony trekking can be organised either in advance or on the day. For cyclists who don’t have their own transport, cycle hire is also available in Pateley Bridge and it’s certainly a wonderful way to explore Nidderdale.

An even more unusual way to get around Nidderdale is llama trekking. You won’t be riding the pack animals but they are terrific for carrying your luggage!

The Nidderdale Way is one of the most beautiful attractions in the Yorkshire Dales, and wandering its pathways is a quite outstanding way to explore a glorious part of the UK.

Yorkshire Dales

In a country as beautiful as England, the Yorkshire Dales are equivalent to the icing on a cake. They have something to entice everyone, whether someone is seeking solitude and serenity; or whether he or she is looking for an energetic, activity-filled holiday; or even if the individual is just looking for an opportunity to spend time among some of nature’s most bountiful regions. Tourism is one of the main industries in this region, and the visitors always go back with memories of outstanding scenery and varied natural habitats.

General Information

The Yorkshire Dales is a National Park in Northern England, it was designated in 1954 and currently has over 22 million visitors per year. There are over 20 main dales, and each one of these dales has a unique characteristic and appearance altogether. The southern dales are the most populated region and have most of the industries set up on their land; while up to the Tees and beyond lay the thinly populated northern dales. Within the scattered villages and small towns live over 20,000 people. A rich 10,000 year old cultural heritage and a peaceful and serene atmosphere mark the Dales as one of the favourite tourist spots in the whole of England.

Areas of Outstanding Beauty (AONB)

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Yorkshire Dales National Park covers an area of 680 square miles. Within the park nestle some of the scenic farmlands, protected wildlife, and limestone pavements. Some of the quaintest villages that one can ever come across are also part of this region. The visitor can stroll through the villages, or just take a lovely walk through the undulating dales, and have a look at the old castles, the stately country homes, and the mills that dot the countryside. Take a ride on the steam trains; take part in the village festivals, or just sample some of the excellent food available at the small pubs and restaurants, there is so much to do at the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Nidderdale

Another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Nidderdale takes its name from the river Nidd. Here the lovely town of Pateley Bridge beckons the visitors to its tea rooms, its lively pubs and the crafts centre. The visitors can drive around the Nidderdale loop from this place, feasting upon the spectacular scenic vistas all along this 53-mile route. No visit here can be deemed complete if one does not visit England’s Oldest Sweet Shop at Pateley Bridge to savour their traditional sweets and take a walk down memory lane. Just a few miles away are the awe-inspiring, Birmham Rocks. Nature is at her creative best at Birmham Rocks, while she presents her sandstone rocks of fantastic forms. How Stean Gorge or Little Switzerland, as it is commonly known, is a limestone cleft that can plummet over 80 ft. in some places. The bridges over these places provide some spectacular views of the surrounding Dales.

Castles

The Yorkshire dales have some of the finest castles in the country. They epitomise centuries of history and they proudly carry the legacy of times long ago. Situated in the pretty town of Leyburn is the Blton Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned for a year in 1658. For over 900 years, the Skipton Castle has guarded the gateways of the Yorkshire dales, standing majestically on the hills above the town of Skipton. Beautifully preserved, it is open to the public for viewing and the visitors can travel through the renowned dungeons and the watchtower, and also have tea at the Clifford Tea Rooms. On a high cliff overlooking the River Swale is the Richmond Castle. The construction work at this place began in 1031 and the keep towers are believed to have walls, which are over 11 ft. thick.

Farm Parks

A great way to really take in the atmosphere and ambience of the Yorkshire Dale is by visiting the farm parks in the area. The Thornton Hall Farm near Skipton is a lovely place to spend a whole day with the family. The children will learn about animals and farms and they will get a first-hand experience of riding a tractor and making farmyard friends. The other Farm Parks are St. Leonard’s Farm Park and the Bondcroft at Embsay, where they also have staying arrangements.

Museums

In a region where history has played such a major role in formulating its character, it is but natural that there should be some excellent museums. The National Children’s Museum at Eureka is a place that fascinates and enthrals children and adults alike. They can indulge in many interactive activities here and get some real hands-on experience. The Nidderdale Museum offers visitor sections on transport, agriculture and religion among others. In Hawes, the Wensleydale Cheese Museum not only teaches the visitor about how cheese is made, but it also offers them the opportunity to sample and purchase some of their excellent products.

Walking

One of the most popular activities in the Yorkshire Dales is to go walking through the scenic areas all around. Even though in some regions, the terrain is not easy to access and is quite vast, there are many visitors who come here just to go for a walk in the Yorkshire Dales. They may want to just gently stroll through the villages, or they may want to go for a full day’s hike through the hills, or they may just want to stroll down the banks of the river. Wherever they go, they are sure to find a lovely pub or a small tea room to rest their legs and have some flavourful home fare.

Fishing

The Yorkshire Dales are among the most popular fishing spots in the UK. Raygill Fishing Lakes offer an awesome fishing experience, and the children can be taught fishing at the Kilnsey Trout Farm. Only a short ride away from Skipton is the Foulridge Reservoir, which covers over 97.5 acres and has a variety of fishes within its territory.

The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park

The Hutts, Hutts Lane Grewelthorpe, Ripon, HG4 3DA

So many great things to see on your visit! Take time to explore 45 acres of beautifully planted woodland gardens, lakes and an arboretum, dotted with 90 striking sculptures and enhanced by the sounds of wildlife.

The landscape comprises of a beautiful valley with scenic woodland walks, enhanced by three lakes, a Pagoda, Summerhouse, Himalayan Shelter, Contemplation Circle and Norse Hut.

Visit the website for more information.

Find Out More