The Dales Guest House at Ingleton

Around and About

Ingleton is surrounded by a range of scenery that presents the walker, cyclist or tourer with an almost bewildering choice of days out.

The limestone scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is simply stunning, the colour of the rocks changing according to the weather conditions - brilliant white in sunshine, changing to steely grey or black as clouds pass. Deeply fissured limestone pavements, the coral reefs, formed in tropical seas many millennia ago, shelter the roots of stunted trees and many rare plants in the cracks and crevices.

Just outside the village are two glorious wooded valleys, each with a series of waterfalls. A circular walk encompasses both. Nearby are White Scar Caves - the longest show caves in Britain. Alternatively, visit Ingleborough show cave, reached by a delightful nature trail from the nearby village of Clapham. Slightly further afield is the Settle to Carlisle railway, an amazing feat of engineering and construction, making it one of the most scenic journeys in the country. The magnificent 24 arch Ribblehead Viaduct is a tribute to the navvies who worked on its construction. Those who died are commemorated at nearby Chapel-le-Dale. For walkers the three peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside are all accessible.

To the south the Forest of Bowland is a vast area of mainly open moorland that had for many years been out of bounds to the public except for a few footpaths and bridleways. The access provided by The Countryside and Rights of Way Act has been superbly complemented by the access points and information boards provided by Lancashire County Council. Remote upland walking that would be difficult to better is now available.

Northwards the Howgill Fells around Sedburgh are another magnificent areas of huge rounded hills of close cropped grass with the distinction of being almost devoid of walls and fences.

The southern Lake District can be easily reached from Ingleton by car or bus. Walks around Windermere, Grasmere and Coniston can all be accomplished.

The Lancashire and Cumbrian coast around Morecombe Bay and the Kent estuary is a haven for birds. At low water a vast area of mudflats is exposed and watching the tide rush in to cover them is a sobering reminder of the power of natural forces. Sunsets over the bay will be some of the most colourful sights that visitors will ever see - no postcard or photograph can do them justice.