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Slow Lane Magazine, August 2019
Insights and stories from across Europe and beyond
  • Dancing with the devil on Lanzarote
  • Madeira - six of the best
  • A foodie in 'Sherry Country'
  • Slow Moments 2019 photo competition
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Hills & Dales of Yorkshire

Coverdale, Wensleydale & Swaledale
 
Verdant slopes criss-crossed by drystone walls, impressive castles, dramatic waterfalls… This self-guided walking holiday leads you into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, and includes luggage transfers between your four atmospheric bases – Middleham, Aysgarth, Reeth and Richmond.
 
Hills & Dales of Yorkshire. 6 nights
Hills & Dales of Yorkshire. 6 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in the Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Wensleydale and Swaledale are two of its prettiest valleys, each boasting a fast-flowing river, imposing castle ruins, traditional stone villages and authentic market towns. Our walking holiday explores both of these spectacular dales, taking you from historic Middleham – whose ruined 12th-century castle was once the favourite home of King Richard III – to Richmond, an ancient market town known as the 'Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales'.
En route, you walk past the famous waterfalls of the River Ure and see the mighty castles which stand guard over this rich landscape of heather-clad moors, traditional stone villages and verdant slopes criss-crossed with drystone walls.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on almost any day of the week, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    You should always be prepared for wet weather, whichever month you are travelling.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 6 6 9 11 15 18 20 20 17 13 9 7
    mm 67 53 60 57 58 56 51 67 63 62 68 69
  • Arrival in Middleham
    Night 1: at Lindmar House (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Circular walk from Middleham: 13.5km (8.5 miles), 4hrs
    This wonderful introductory walk begins by the impressive ruins of Middleham’s 12th-century castle, the former favourite home of King Richard III, and hence dubbed the ‘Windsor of the North’. After taking time to explore the castle, continue to the site of its predecessor on William’s Hill, before descending into Coverdale to cross the River Cover via Hullo Bridge. Here, you follow the river along the dale to the village of East Witton, where the houses are set along the sides of a large wide green, and the Blue Lion makes a perfect place to stop for a coffee or lunch break. You head back down to the river to cross Cover Bridge (there's a fine country pub here, too), just before the river enters the Swale. After passing the village of Spennithorne, you return to Middleham via a fine crenellated bridge over the Ure.
    Circular walk from Middleham: 13.5km
    Middleham Castle
  • Middleham to Aysgarth: 15km (9.5 miles), 5hrs
    Leaving Middleham behind, you head out across the racehorse training gallops with commanding views over the River Ure and the pretty village of Wensley with Castle Bolton in the far distance. You soon begin to descend through meadows and woodland towards the river, passing through the pretty village of West Witton, where you can choose to stop for lunch at one of the village pubs. On reaching the river, you follow its meandering banks to Aysgarth, passing the famous three-step falls on your way to The George & Dragon Inn.
    Middleham to Aysgarth: 15km
    River Ure on the route from Middleham to Aysgarth
  • Aysgarth to Reeth: 17.5km (11 miles), 6hrs
    After a last look at Aysgarth’s tumbling falls, you rise towards the looming presence of Castle Bolton, one-time prison of Mary, Queen of Scots. This impressive structure was built by Sir Richard le Scrope in the 12th century and is still owned by the same family who live nearby. From the castle, you continue your steady ascent up onto heather-and-bracken-clad Harkerside Moor, with far-reaching views into Swaledale as you start your equally long and steady descent towards the traditional market town of Reeth for a night at the Arkleside Guesthouse.
    Aysgarth to Reeth: 17.5km
    Reeth Village
  • Reeth to Richmond: 18.5km (11.5 miles), 5hrs
    Reeth is the halfway point on the Coast-to-Coast walk and you now join this well-waymarked route for part of the way to Richmond. The day begins on easy paths beside the River Swale to Marrick Abbey and the village of Marske and then up through woodland to Applegarth. Here, you drop down to the banks of the Swale once more for a delightful riverside stroll towards Richmond, under the watchful eye of the castle standing high above the handsome three-arch stone bridge. After a final steep ascent into the town, your last two nights are spent in the centrally located Frenchgate Guesthouse.
    Reeth to Richmond: 18.5km
    The river path along the Swale on the route from Reeth to Richmond
  • Circular walk from Richmond: 14km (9 miles), 4.5hrs
    You may wish to spend your day here exploring Richmond and its castle. However, we suggest you enjoy a final circuit into the countryside. You begin by following the River Swale to the impressive riverside ruins of Easby Abbey, before wandering over rolling hills to Gilling West in time for lunch at one of the village’s two pubs. Your return takes you past Aske Hall, an elegant Georgian country house, with parkland attributed to Capability Brown. It is not open to the public but you get fine views of the front façade as the path passes the ornamental lake.
    Circular walk from Richmond: 14km
    Walking route around Richmond
 

Accommodation

You stay in a mixture of small guesthouses and welcoming country inns.
We offer an upgrade option in Middleham. Please indicate your preference at the time of booking.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 

Prices for 2020

We are in the process of updating our prices for 2020. If you’d like to book now, please contact us – we’ll be happy to provide a quotation.
Get in touch >
 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter.
Currency converter

We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency.

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NB: this should be used as a guide only. Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in significant variation by the time you come to pay.

  • 6 nights: 01 April - 31 October 2019

    Start any day except Tuesday or Wednesday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 April £575 £265
    1 May - 30 September £595 £275
    1 - 25 October £575 £265
    3rd & 4th person discount -£60
    Single traveller supplement £60

    Please note: this holiday is not available to children under 12 years, nor are dogs permitted on Inntravel holidays

    Included travel: transfer Richmond-Middleham (if driving)

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    The Frenchgate Guesthouse, Richmond (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2019 £66 £114

  • 6 nights, staying in The Priory (1 dinner)

    1 April - 31 October 2019 Price Single room
    1 - 30 April £615 £305
    1 May - 30 September £635 £315
    1 - 25 October £615 £305
    3rd & 4th person discount -£60
    Single traveller supplement £60
  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Connecting travel options - via Darlington

    Outward route Price per person Latest train
    arrival time
    taxi Darlington station to hotel (0h45) £38 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest train
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Darlington station (0h45) £16 flexible

    Connecting travel options - via Northallerton

    Outward route Price per person Latest train
    arrival time
    taxi Northallerton station to hotel (0h45) £16 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest train
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Northallerton station (0h45) £22 flexible
What is included
  • 6 nights
  • 1 dinner
    3 picnics
    6 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • transfer back to first accommodation to pick up car
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 10 reviews
  • Anon
    15 August 2019

    Hearing and watching an otter in the River Swale was our personal highlight! Also eating our sandwiches in the little bothy on the top of the moor. 

  • North American visitors
    03 August 2019

    This service was outstanding! A few days before we left on the trip there was torrential rain and part of our route (and a destination village) became flooded. Inntravel called us in the US, to let us know and had already made alternate arrangements for us. The walking notes were so clear we had no issues. We met another couple doing a similar walk on their own with just maps and they reported getting lost several times and having to retrace steps - we had no issues at all. Also, each route was clearly indicated from inn to inn with dining suggestions provided - some other companies state you need to bus or taxi to/from the paths at times - never an issue for us. The trip was excellent and we’d love to do it or similar again.

  • Anon
    08 July 2019

    Lovely holiday. The Priory was beautiful. Routes for the most part were pretty gentle. I would recommend the Wensleydale Heifer for a meal in West Witton while staying in Middleham. You pass through on day 2 if you wanted to stop for a lunch. Expensive but very high quality seafood. 

  • Ms H Stahl
    USA
    09 September 2018

    The people in the North Yorkshire Villages — hosts, staff, natives — are among the kindest, friendliest people I’ve had the privilege to meet. A local gent who I said hello to on the first morning heading out of Sinnington looked out for me and on the second morning asked how my walk had been and told me he’d been thinking of me the first day, hoping it had gone well. I felt cared for even as I was hiking on my own. On the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, I met lovely people and made some friends for life. The hosts went out of their way to help me and ensure that my trip was all it could be. I feel I actually learned a few things about hospitality during this trip. I would say to any independent females, if you long to travel on your own but have concerns about safety or loneliness, this holiday is a perfect initiation.

    INNTRAVEL NOTE: This customer enjoyed combining two of our walking itineraries; the North Yorkshire Villages and the Hills and Dales of Yorkshire.

  • Mrs M Foley
    Australia
    05 September 2018

    Listen to any advice the local hosts can give you. They were all so helpful. The use of walking poles is recommended. 

  • Mr P Gray
    Caterham
    06 June 2018

    The weather was perfect and the route ensured a peaceful walking experience each day but ending in the more mainstream tourist locations.

  • A&A - frequent fliers with Inntravel.
    27 August 2017

    Highlights: Walking up over Middleham Low Moor on a gorgeous morning, passing the gallops and pausing to watch as a runaway racehorse thundered by trying its hardest to avoid being rounded up and returned to its unseated rider. Enjoying the magnificent views from our bedroom and from the breakfast room/guest lounge at the Frenchgate guesthouse in Richmond, where the proprietor was particularly friendly and engaging.

  • Mrs A Sharp
    Reigate
    06 July 2017

    The walk from Wensleydale to Swaledale was a challenge but a glorious walk - having our picnic lunch at the highest point with panoramic views was fantastic. The weather was kind to us and we only met one other couple going the opposite way. A real feeling of being out in the wilderness!

  • Anon
    08 June 2017

    Very varied walks avoiding the roads but passing places of interest eg Aysgarth Falls, castles, rivers, woods, moorland and countryside and the gallops at Middleham. We were glad of the grouse lodge to shelter in for lunch as there was a gale blowing.

  • Dr G Robertson
    Australia
    19 May 2017

    I was blessed with the most incredible weather and this walk was a real treat. The landscape of the moors was breathtaking! Just remember to keep an eye out for inquisitive cattle...
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • We can book a wide range of airlines and routes from the UK. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. For Europe and Morocco, there’s a £30 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £50 per person. More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to buy our policy (if you live outside Europe you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK and EU residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.
  • Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it’s been confirmed that flights will continue as normal and that you won’t need a visa to go on holiday (the limit on stays is 90 days). What you will need if there’s no deal is a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival (extra months added because you renewed your passport early do not count) and adequate travel insurance to cover you for accidents and illness in case reciprocal health deals are suspended. If you are driving while on holiday, you will probably need an International Driving Permit (plus a Green Card if you are taking your own car to Europe). More information >
  • The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.
    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Last fetch time is : 9/18/2019 11:29:00 AM