{"id":3043,"date":"2019-12-24T20:40:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-24T20:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/where2walk.co.uk\/"},"modified":"2022-11-18T19:41:10","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T19:41:10","slug":"lower-wharfedale-and-skipton-grassington","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/where2walk.co.uk\/about-yorkshire-dales\/lower-wharfedale-and-skipton-grassington\/","title":{"rendered":"Lower Wharfedale and Skipton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jonathan’s View<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA landscape created and managed over the millennia by the journey of the River Wharfe.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hebden<\/figure><\/div>
\"The<\/figure>
\"Bolton<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Skipton<\/figure>
\"Embsay<\/figure><\/div>
\"Trollers<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Yarnbury<\/figure><\/div>
\"Hebden\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Dale<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The River Wharfe flows serenely through some of the prettiest, but also the busiest villages, in the Yorkshire Dales. The peat laden river provides the focus for the landscape of Lower Wharfedale and Skipton. However the villages are full of interest and the moors which tower over the moors offer some excellent walking. There is history as well, the ruins of Bolton Abbey the most high profile, but there are other famous old houses and castles to explore. Skipton itself does not stand on the Wharfe but the market town is the ‘Gateway to the Dales’ and Wharfedale is close by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Away from Skipton there are a number of notable villages in Lower Wharfedale. Grassington is almost a town itself and marks the boundary with the more remote upper end of the dale. Further south pretty Burnsall and the fantastically named Appletreewick lie on the river whilst the villages of Cracoe and Linton are nearby. There are pretty hamlets too but a village without a pub is no village at all (to me!). Ilkley is further downstream but is always classed a s part of the Dales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t

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Walking ideas in Wharfedale<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t
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Navigation Weekend in the Dales<\/h5>\n\t£<\/span>130.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/a>More info<\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Historical walks in the Dales<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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The Rivers of the Yorkshire Dales<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n

Skipton<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Stirton
Stirton near Skipton<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Skipton is widely known as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’ for very good reasons. Most visitors driving from the south will pass either through or round Skipton before entering the Dales proper. It is a busy market town and during the summer months (and in particular on market days) it can become painful. However once the day trippers have gone, or you visit out of season Skipton, is a lovely place. It is a great location for a Dales ‘virgin’, offering a base with plenty of facilities whilst you can travel in to the more remote areas and pick and choose your favourite location for future visits. The town is often voted the most desirable place to live in England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is rare for a large town to have such great walks from the doorstep, particularly useful if you have no car. A short trip on the canal costs \u00a34 and is worth it, as is a trip on the Steam Train from Embsay to Bolton Abbey if you have a young family.  The fish and chip shop at Bizzie Lizzie’s is a bit of a local institution and the Woolly Sheep is my choice for a pint in town. Finally I would make time to visit the Copper Dragon brewery and the ‘free’ craven museum which is voluntarily funded but genuinely interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grassington<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Hole
Hole Bottom near Hebden<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Grassington is deservedly popular. Its main street is full of family run shops selling food, crafts and gifts whilst its attractive location above the River Wharfe gives it a distinction which drives its popularity. In reality it is a small town rather than a large village. Across the river is Threshfield, more functional but making the area a major town.  Walking north, south and east is lovely, so good in fact that the area was chosen to film some notable blockbusters such as the Calendar Girls and the final film in the Harry Potter franchise. The town really comes to life though through the festivals and events that take place throughout the year. They are so good and worthwhile I have named a few:<\/p>\n\n\n\n