The Yorkshire Dales conjure images of lush green valleys, rolling hills, ancient drystone walls and sheep. So on my recent trip up to York, I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to visit the area. With not much time, I booked myself on a day trip and although the day was cold for June and drizzly, I was assured that this was normal for these parts. Aye up then, off we went. Located in North Yorkshire, it's only about an hour or so away from York. Soon we had left the city behind and entered those lush green valleys.
1st stop, the pretty village of Pateley Bridge. It was raining, but hot chocolate and a peek at the quaint shops was nice. Next stop, some waterfalls and a hello to the sheep and cows. A few other picture stops along the way with plenty of oohing and aahing. Everything in the Dales looks like it was designed specifically to be on a postcard. Even the cows look photogenic.
A trip to the Dales can't be done without mentioning All Creatures Great and Small. I remember reading and loving the books when I was young and for a while there , thought "I wouldn't mind being a vet". I watched the original TV show where a man can spend 45 minutes with his arm inside a cow and everyone calls it “heart‑warming.” It’s basically rural Britain’s answer to ER - except the patients eat grass, the emergencies involve runaway sheep, and the doctors have to sprint across fields in tweed.
James Herriot always looks like he’s two seconds away from apologising to an animal for inconveniencing it. Meanwhile, Siegfried Farnon operates at a permanent emotional temperature of “boiling kettle,” shouting about veterinary bills one moment and hugging a horse the next. We did drive past several locations - due to the rain, no filming was being done that day. I can imagine the filming schedule is rather difficult to coordinate with the weather. But it's the Dales themselves that are the real stars. Every episode features at least one sweeping shot of hills so beautiful you momentarily forget someone is about to wrestle a pig.
Our next stop was Wensleydale Creamery
, where cheese has more star power than most celebrities. In we went expecting a nice little tasting session, and suddenly you’re in a full‑blown dairy Disneyland, surrounded by people whispering reverently about “notes of butteriness” like they’re discussing fine art.
They are very generous with their tastings and I nodded along solemnly, pretending I understood the subtle difference between “crumbly” and “extra crumbly" and making appropriate noises of .
And the cheese itself? It’s smug. It knows it’s famous. It knows Wallace and Gromit boosted its career. Wallace & Gromit’s love of Wensleydale Cheese goes back nearly 30 years. when the film, 'A Close Shave' airing on BBC2 on Christmas Eve, first saw Wallace declaring his love for Yorkshire Wensleydale.
Verdict? It was all very tasty. By the time I left, I'd eaten a lot of cheese and brought 3. Fountains Gold Cheddar was my fave. And just in case I hadn't had enough, I went into the cafe and ate a cheese toastie for lunch. Oh I also got some butter, some local biscuits and of course a Wallace and Gromit fridge magnet.
We then managed a final stop off at Bolton Castle for a quick look around. Another pretty spot with gorgeous views and some cute wild boars. Well the adults weren't that cute, but the little piglets were very cute.
All up a short taste of this beautiful area and one that I will return to. Sadly I've forgotten our guides name, but he was very knowledgeable.
Add comment
Comments