Yorkshire Dales attractions - The Old Barn, Thoralby

About the Area - Wensleydale and the Yorkshire Dales

...only one way to go
in the Dales

The Yorkshire Dales are special; a fantastic blend of spectacular landscapes, outstanding heritage, outdoor activities and endless ways to enjoy a memorable holiday.

A holiday or short break here is an opportunity to relax, unwind and escape from the rush and hurry of the workaday life. In fact, there's only one way to go in the Dales...

Pastureland above Thoralby (left) and grazing by the side of The Old Barn (right)

Sporting Activities

A paradise for walkers, cyclists (cycle hire available) and birdwatchers, there is also good fishing to be had, as well as rock climbing.

Arts and Culture

Museums, potteries, arts and crafts abound.

Castles and Abbeys

Delve into a truly colourful history at the castles of Castle Bolton, Middleham and Richmond, as well as the ruins of Jervaulx and other abbeys.

Yorkshire Market Towns

Nearby, the thriving market towns of Hawes (Tuesday Market) and Leyburn (Friday market) have plenty to offer all year through, with many fine shops, pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions.

The Yorkshire Dales - A Place For All Seasons

Links to other useful web sites for the Yorkshire Dales

We include below (in no particular order) links to some other web sites which you may find helpful when planning your short break or holiday in the Yorkshire Dales.

Please note that the information listed on these external sites is supplied by external third parties whose products and services are independent of and not necessarily endorsed by the proprietors of The Old Barn.

Walking & Hiking
- The Inn Way
  Long distance circular walks via traditional pubs throughout England's North Country. The Inn Way... series of award-winning guidebooks by Mark Reid offer a new and unique approach to discovering the wonderful countryside of England's North Country, as well as its wealth of hidden and unspoilt pubs.
- Walk Yorkshire
  WalkYorkshire provides all of the information you need to come and explore the inspirational scenery that Yorkshire has to offer. You will find everything that you need to know including information on many walking routes, travel information, local weather and much more.
- Dales Walks
  Walks all over Yorkshire, including the Dales.
The Yorkshire Dales
- The Yorkshire Dales by Daelnet
  Daelnet's "Internet Gateway to the Dales" - wonderful site packed full of news, views, photo gallery, information and more...
- The Yorkshire Dales by Eagle Intermedia
  Comprehensive web site which includes history, geology, photographs and more...
- Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
  The official web site of our National Park Authority. The National Park Centre at Aysgarth Falls (approx 1.1 miles) has a wealth of information about the area. The Coppice Coffee Shop there (known locally as Karen's) offers an excellent range of food and drink, and specialises in gluten-free soups, bread, pasta, puddings, cakes, biscuits. Also diabetic cakes & ice cream, dairy free ice cream, milk & butter alternatives etc..
Country Arts, Crafts and Skills
- W R Outhwaite & Son, Hawes Ropemakers: approx 9 miles
  Their workshop makes an interesting place to visit - see ropes of all kinds, dog leads, etc. being made the traditional way.
- Wensleydale Creamery: approx 9 miles
  See Wensleydale Cheese being made, learn about the history of cheesemaking in Wensleydale and, of course, buy some real Wensleydale Cheese (there are now many varieties) to take home with you.
- Yorkshire Country Wines: approx 30 miles
  This fruit wine producer, based in Glasshouses in Nidderdale (officially designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), makes a great place to stop off for a couple of hours on a day out visiting some of our neighbouring dales. You can take a guided tour of their winery (check the times on their web site), see natural fruit wines being made and have lunch or a snack in their riverside tearooms or on the riverside terrace. You might even take home a bottle of wine (or several) to enjoy with the Wensleydale Cheese you bought at the Creamery! Also: antiques gallery.
- Swaledale Woollens: approx 29 miles (depending which way you go)
  If you go over the Buttertubs Pass into Swaledale, you may like to stop off at Muker and pop in to Swaledale Woollens. They have a superb range of high quality hand- and machine-knitted, natural wool garments produced in the area (some using local Swaledale and rare Wensleydale wools) - including great sweaters and socks for walkers!
Fishing
- Fly Fishing Tuition from Beckfisher
  For complete beginners or improvers - highly qualified expert fly-fishing tuition on local waters. Roger Beck holds the Salmon & Trout Association National Instructor's Certificate (STANIC) and is a member of the Game Angling Instructors' Association (GAIA). One of only a dozen or so people in Britain to be invited to membership of the prestigious Hardy Greys Academy of fly-fishing instructors and guides, Roger also has Hardy and Greys equipment available for demonstration. Roger also specialises in Fly Fishing as a technique for stress management, and was featured on Luke Casey's Dales Diary on TV. (Due to the high level of demand, it is essential to contact Beckfisher well in advance to book your tuition.)
Kettlewell aka Knapeley in the film Calendar Girls: approx 11.6 miles
This film of 2003, about the women who appeared in the "Alternative W.I. Calendar", was filmed in and around the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The real village of Kettlewell was the location for Knapeley in the film. Kettlewell is a very pleasant drive or ride away through magnificent scenery via Kidstones Pass into Wharfedale.
Enjoy a train ride on the famous Settle-Carlisle or Wensleydale Railways.
Both the Settle-Carlisle and Wensleydale Railways provide invaluable links for the communities they pass through. The Settle-Carlisle is part of the National Rail Network, and the nearest station is at Garsdale (16.1 miles). The Wensleydale line runs down the dale from Redmire (5.3 miles) to Leyburn, Bedale and Leeming Bar. Both sites offer a wealth of information about travel opportunities and local attractions.