Rent a traditional Yorkshire cottage in the Yorkshire Dales for a wander around this lovely rugged northern area of outstanding beauty. You may wish to consider Bishopdale for your holiday?
Bishopdale is a very small dale in the Yorkshire Dales, in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire. The seven mile long dale is a tributary dale of the larger and better-known Wensleydale. The valley has steep sides and Bishopdale Beck, a tributary of the River Ure, runs through it. This quiet dale contains only a few villages and hamlets, but many farms dot the landscape. Typical farmhouses and farm buildings help to give the dale its character. In amongst these are farm cottages that have been converted into holiday accommodation and can now be rented for self-catering breaks for 3 or more days.
The largest settlements in Bishopdale are the villages of Newbiggin, Thoralby and West Burton. West Burton (also known as Burton cum Walden) is a picture postcard village, boasting one of the largest village greens in the country, where families like to play games. It even has its own set of stocks for wrongdoers. A pub and several shops make this an important village for the area.
Families like to have picnics at the nearby waterfall, which is hidden from view and a paddle or a swim in Walden Beck. At a height of 20 feet, the falls are well worth a visit. Known as West Burton Falls, or the Cauldron Falls, this landscape was immortalised by the famous painter, J.M.W. Turner. If you’d like an unusual souvenir to take home from your holiday, it’s cats galore at Moorside Design. A family run business, they have been making cat ornaments at the Cat Pottery since 1982. Ceramic, metal, and granite stone cats are ideal for adorning your garden back home.
The village of Thoralby has a shop and a pub and also a village hall that hosts barn dances and other social occasions. In August, the village presents its yearly village fete. Newbiggin is a long, linear hamlet. The name of Newbiggin means ‘new buildings’, but ironically, those knowledgable about architecture cite the hamlet as being an interesting example of a settlement with 17th century houses.
For a trip to some really famous falls, the nearby Aysgarth Falls in Lower Wensleydale are well known to the good folk of Yorkshire as a beauty spot. It’s the waters of the River Ure rushing over the wide limestone steps that make the falls, divided into Lower Falls, Middle Falls and Upper Falls. They are lovely to look at, rather than spectacular and families like to take riverside walks and take it all in. However, they got the attention of Robin Hood, at least Kevin Costner who played him in ‘Robin Hood – Prince of Thieves’, when this spot was used as a location for the hit movie.
Artwork is on display with a special appeal to visually impaired visitors. For anyone with mobility problems, the Middle Falls have a wheelchair accessible path and viewing platform.
Bishopdale is undoubtedly a scenic spot to base oneself for a holiday in the Dales. Walkers, artists and photographers will be in seventh heaven and the landscape is worthy of seeing in all seasons. The kids have loads of space to let off steam and Mums and Dads enjoy the tranquillity and unspoilt features.
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