The Dales of Yorkshire and Pennine Hills are an area of Quiet Tranquility and Stunning Beauty all year round and can be accessed from the South or North by the A1 M on the East or the M6 Motorway to the West.

The main Highways from the South are the A1 which runs directly North from London To Edinburgh and the M1 the Motorway Route which also runs North from London to the West up the centre of the country to the Leeds / Bradford region where one can traverse East on the M18 or M62 to the A1 to continue through the Eastern region of the North Country past York, Durham, Newcastle and over the Border to Scotland and Edinburgh.

There are three Trans-Pennine routes through the Yorkshire Dales between these highways, the A65 passes to the South and the A684 from Sedbergh in Garsdale passes through the centre with the A66 crosses over from Scotch Corner on the A1 M westward to the M6 at Penrith, this route also continues on through the North Lake District to Keswick & Cockermouth 

Steam rail enthusiasts will note Settle is the south end of the 19th Century Railroad, still in operation by modern commuter trains and occasionally restored Steam Locomotives. The scenic route to Carlisle is renowned for its views especially across the Ribblehead Viaduct which has also to be view from below to comprehend the Victorian Engineering. It took six years to build and was completed in 1879

The Dales area of Northern England is not confined to Yorkshire, but continues north of the A66 into Durham another fine Cathedral city, In the area are Teesdale, Weardale which run west up into the Pennine's where the river Allen starts its trail north down through Allendale to the Tyne Valley.

Nidderdale with the River Nidd passes through the Gouthwaite Reservoir after originating near Lofthouse and the Howe Stean Gorge, to the natural outcrops formed by the elements at Brimham Rocks maintained by the National trust as is Fountains Abbey which was founded in 1132

The Dales south of the Tyne  are still in Northumbria but classed as the North Pennines and an area of outstanding beauty with high moorland.  With High Force in Teesdale being England's largest waterfall.

Ingleborough Cave Trail

Clapham & Ingleton are the centre for Caving enthusiasts who delve into the centre of Yorkshire’s Pennines, through the Gaping Gill caverns discovered in 1837.

The complete route through the cave system from Gaping Gill Pothole from where Fell Beck falls 350 feet into the ground, to re-emerge at Ingleborough Cave, was not passed through successfully until 200 years later in 1983.

A nature Trail from Clapham village follows Fell Beck up Clapdale to Ingleborough Cave, passed the still working sawmill and open to the public.

The trail then passes a man made lake which powers the sawmill where Reginald Farrer (1880-1920) the botanist introduced numerous plants collected on his worldwide trips to Europe.

Ingleborough Cave is a spectacular site where on can stand behind the waterfall, a fine picnic location the falls are more spectacular and dangerous after rain.

The trail can be re-routed back to Clapham or continued on returning over wooded and open farmland, through the majestic limestone countryside.

The Ingleborough Showcave is a guided tour through a 1 km floodlight passage  giving spectacular views of 350 million year old stalactites & stalagmites, complementing the knowledge gained at the Visitors Centre.

Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre  -  Upper Teesdale, Alston  -  01434-382-037

Alston Model Railway Centre  -   Alston  -  01434-382-100