Littondale Inspires Everyone Who Visits on Holiday
Named after the village of Litton, this tributary glaciated valley of Wharfedale offers a peaceful break in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside. The landscape is a fascinating mixture of old hamlets, scenic views, farmhouses as old as the 1600s, and cave systems. Evidence of Iron Age and Bronze Age settlements show how our ancestors populated this area.
If you want to see typical grey rock, limestone scenery, heather coated moorland and lush meadows, this is the place to come. Families and ramblers have an abundance of walking routes to follow, including circular walks. Forming part of the well-known Three Peaks Walk (along with Ingleborough and Whernside), Pen-y-Ghent fell sits at the head of the valley, measuring 2,277 feet in height.
Rent self-catering accommodation for a budget conscious family holiday. A stay in a holiday cottage or apartment provides a comfortable good quality base for your return from each wonderful day out in the Yorkshire Dales.
Arncliffe is the largest village in Littondale, with a church constructed in the 1500s and 1700s. St. Oswald’s Church has a scenic location on the River Skirfare riverbank and has undergone rebuilding and restoration work over the years. A 12th century church is thought to be the first church building on the site. Visitors will find a pub and a village green, which hosts the annual village fete, which involves a running race every year. Being the largest, the village is known as the ‘capital of the dale’ and it is a conservation area. It’s known that the author, Charles Kingsley, got inspiration from Arncliffe for his famous children’s novel, The Water Babies. Visitors can take advantage of the many events held at Amerdale Hall, the village hall. This excellent facility also presents regular screenings of films.
Litton, another small settlement, also has a village green, albeit a small one. Pretty houses date from the 1600s and the beginning of the 1700s. The small hamlet of Halton Gill has received some publicity recently, as one of the locations for the scary 2012 film starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), The Woman in Black. This hamlet is also known for its attractive old buildings. Very close to Halton Gill is the settlement of Foxup.
Arncliffe is no stranger to fame on the small screen, because of its involvement with the soap, Emmerdale. In the days when it was known as Emmerdale Farm, early episodes at the start of the series were filmed in the Arncliffe area. In fact, Arncliffe used to attract lots of tourists, directly due to its association with the Yorkshire based programme. Emmerdale’s fictional pub, known as The Woolpack, actually appeared as shots of the village hotel. As the Old Norse name for Littondale is Amerdale, it’s believed that the fictional name of Emmerdale was adapted from it.
Littondale is considered to be amongst the most unspoilt of the Yorkshire Dales. If your family enjoys getting out in the fresh air against a backdrop of unbeatable scenery, this area will not disappoint. From the wild moors to meadows resplendent with wild flowers, the countryside here is diverse. Charming villages break up the landscape, offering history and friendly amenities. Brisk walks, lazy riverbank picnics or flying a kite will make great holiday memories.
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