The Yorkshire Dales is a tourist hot spot for walkers, sightseers and bird watchers who wish to get away from it all and enjoy the serenity of the National Park. There are lots of holiday cottages in the Yorkshire Dales where you can take in the scenery and enjoy the views of the valleys and rolling hills from your accommodation. Then, when you do want to get out and about and explore what Yorkshire has to offer there are many delightful towns and villages nearby and some interesting annual events too. Here is my guide of what not to miss on a trip to Yorkshire Dales and the surrounding area in the UK.
Great Yorkshire Show
The Great Yorkshire Show is an annual agricultural event that takes place every July in Harrogate, hosted by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. With everything from animal displays, country demonstrations and locally produced food across 250 acres itís a packed full day out.
Knaresborough Bed Race
The Knaresborough Bed Race is a very unusual event that really does have to be seen to be believed! Teams of six runners and one passenger decorate and parade and then race them through the town. Each year there is a theme and this year the theme is the Olympics. The Knaresborough Bed Race has been taking place since 1966 and is growing in popularity each year, last year it attracted around 25,000 people to the town.
Great Yorkshire Bike Ride
For local cycling enthusiasts, the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride is a key event on the calendar. Since 1984, riders have been embarking on the 70 mile charity biking event from Wetherby near Leeds to Filey on the north Yorkshire coast. Over the years this even has raised over £2,000,000 for charity.
Visit Harrogate
If all this sounds a bit too adventurous, a trip to Harrogate is a lovely option. This spa town that made its fortune from its mineral waters now also has a number of attractions including the Royal Hall Theatre and the Royal Pump Room, a museum that tells the history of the spa town. One thing not to be missed is a trip to Bettyís Tea Rooms. Well known in the north of England as the best place to enjoy an afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and homemade cakes.
