Introduction to Yorkshire Dales National Park

This national park consists of some 1,813 sq. km (700 sq. miles) of water-carved country. In the dales, or valleys, you'll find dramatic white-limestone crags, roads, and fields bordered by dry-stone walls, fast-running rivers, isolated sheep farms, and clusters of sandstone cottages.

Malhamdale receives more visitors annually than any dale in Yorkshire. Two of the most interesting historic attractions are the 12th-century ruins of Bolton Priory and the 14th-century Castle Bolton, to the north in Wensleydale.

Richmond, the most frequently copied town name in the world, stands at the head of the dales and, like Hawes, is a good center for touring the surrounding countryside.