The Yorkshire Dales has many moods; it can be wild and windswept or quietly tranquil.
It includes some of the finest limestone scenery in the UK, from crags and pavements to an underground labyrinth of caves. Each valley or ‘dale’ has its own distinct character, set against expansive heather moorland tops.
Stone-built villages sit amongst traditional farming landscapes of field barns, drystone walls and flower-rich hay meadows, and show how the area has been shaped over thousands of years by the people who have lived and worked here.
Spectacular waterfalls and ancient broadleaved woodland contrast with the scattered remains of former mine workings and other rural industries which remind us of the area’s rich industrial heritage.
Together, nature and people have created a special landscape of immense beauty and character.
This section includes information about the heritage, landscape and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales. You’ll also find details about the National Park itself and how the National Park Authority works with partners and other organisations through the National Park Management Plan to conserve and enhance the area, while helping people to enjoy and share in its special qualities.