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Return to Yorkshire to walk the Dales Way

Return to Yorkshire to walk the Dales Way

Old Aug 17th, 2017, 11:09 AM
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Return to Yorkshire to walk the Dales Way

A couple of years ago, my family went to the UK and spent several days in Yorkshire. We did one short walk out of Grassington, and since then I've wanted to return to go on a long distance trail. I now have the chance to go with a friend next summer to do the Dales Way. It's my second long distance walk in the UK (after the Cotswold way) and her first. I'll be arriving from France and she'll be flying over from Seattle. We both plan to fly into Manchester and then train to Ilkley, where we'll meet.

We are still planning out our route, but right now it looks like:
Ilkley to Burnsall to Hubberlhome to Dent to Sedbergh (Malabar) to Burnside to Bowness

We will be using a service to transport our luggage, so will just be carrying daypacks. I would love to get suggestions for b&b's, hotels, restaurants along the way.

We end in Bowness but would like to take public transport to somewhere else in the Lake district for a couple of nights after our walk. Any suggestions for us?

After we're done, we will take the train back to Manchester for a final night before we fly home. I would love a couple of restaurant suggestions and an idea of an area to walk around.

Jennifer
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 03:34 PM
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Off to the Dales...topping
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 10:13 PM
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You may need to search on the web for http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04gwlf8 (not sure if you can access) but the much Loved Clare Balding walked the Dales way a couple of years back and left a radio programme.

I can advise on Ilkley (but you seem to missing there) while Manchester-- go to China town.
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Old Aug 17th, 2017, 11:49 PM
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I can't help with your question but if you haven't fully decided on a do it yourself walk can I suggest HF holidays, I know they walk the Dales way. I did a couple of days walking with them in the Dales in June and thoroughly enjoyed myself, there were several people staying at the "hall" who were walking the Dales Way. Just another idea...
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Old Aug 18th, 2017, 12:59 AM
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I'll let the avid walkers among us advise on your trek across Yorkshire, but I can help as far as your last night in Manchester is concerned. What sort of food do you like and what sort of budget will you for the food?

Manchester has hundred's (maybe thousands) of restaurants across the board as far as cuisine and price is concerned, so give me a clue and I'll recommend.
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Old Aug 18th, 2017, 04:55 AM
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Bilbo, thanks for the link to the radio show, I can indeed run it, even hear in the US. I will be arriving in Ilkley around noon the day before we start the walk so would love any recommendations for there.

Schnauzer, we did look at HF Holidays, but they can't always guarantee 2 beds and a private bath, which is what we need. I do like the look of their hall in Sedbergh, though.

Rubicund, love lots of different cuisines, but for that last night, would love to find a good British pub, budget would be about 75 pounds total. Do you have any recommendations on an area to stay in Manchester where it would be interesting to walk around?
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Old Aug 18th, 2017, 05:36 AM
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Hi Jennifer, if money is no issue then the Box Tree is the most expensive place to dine. Betty's is the best tea room in town and might stretch into a light early supper.

At the more sensible price point Bar T'at is good British (with French twist) while Emporio Italia is the most real Italian (there are two other Italians in town and the Piccolino is the second best

Bistro Saigon is not bad, Seema's is a moderate Curry house but Ilkley is not really Curry town. For that you catch a train into Bradford (which is probably not worth the time).

Some days Matinez is still runing its wine bar in the basement, Pubs not so sure. The Flying Duck goes from young people's thing to sensible year by year. The Ilkley Moor vaults is normally a more middle of the road bar. The Crescent is big TV and rugby/cricket with no real direction. The Station is rough (but this is Ilkley and rough is very gentle).

If looking for a place to stay I would avoid Craiglands and either look at B&Bs or the Riverside.
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Old Aug 18th, 2017, 05:46 AM
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Jennifer, funnily enough this same question arose earlier this week about good eating pubs in Manchester City Centre. The best two genuine pubs for food are Sam's Chop House and Mr Thomas's Chop House. There are lots of pubs but the food (if they do food) won't be as good as Sams or Mr Thomas's.

The City Centre is good to walk around in the afternoon/evening. Lots of shops, bars, coffee shops etc. For accommodation stay in the city and have a look at :

www.lastminute.com
www.laterooms.com

Manchester's centre is very walkable and you won't be far from anywhere, no matter where you stay.
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Old Aug 18th, 2017, 10:42 AM
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This is great information. Thanks to both of you!
We didn't get to go to Betty's last time we were there, so this is definitely on the list. The chop houses look great, as well.

Morgana, you gave me great ideas last time I was there (Yorke Arms was one of our most memorable meals) Hoping you see this & can chime in about some of the villages we will be passing through.
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 02:19 PM
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I also meant to ask if anyone could recommend a self serve laundromat near the center of Manchester?
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Old Aug 20th, 2017, 11:52 PM
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Self Service launderettes are few and far between in the city centre. The nearest one I can find is

New York Launderette & Dry Cleaners,
1 Salisbury House,
St Stephen St,
Salford M3 6AX

Tel : 0161 834 8535

However, this isn't the most salubrious part of town. I think I might go for the Granada Cleaners shop on Bridge Street, just off Deansgate. It won't be the cheapest option, but they're long established and do a good job. Your only problem may be time constraints as you are in the city for only a day. They do offer a laundry service though:

71-73 Bridge Street,
Deansgate,
Manchester,
M3 2RH
0161 834 8947
[email protected]

http://granadadrycleaners.com/services/laundry/
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Old Aug 21st, 2017, 02:17 AM
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Salford, not salubrious.... as you know Rubicund, I'm not an expert on that part but the very name makes me worry
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Old Aug 21st, 2017, 06:23 AM
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Thank you Rubicund, I was concerned that self serve laundries might not be in the center where I'd want to stay. I'd be arriving in Manchester on a Sunday, so I don't think I'll have time for a drop off service like Granada. My best bet might be to ask the first b&b in Ilkley if I can do laundry there. Both places we stayed in on our previous trip were helpful with this, which was wonderful as there weren't any laundries in the small towns we stayed in.
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Old Aug 21st, 2017, 12:30 PM
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...and rightly so bilbo. I wouldn't sit in a launderette in Salford for any length of time! It's a bit like Belle Isle!

Jennifer, try emailing Granada cleaners, they may well offer an hourly service.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2017, 05:49 AM
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I've found a cottage with a washer/dryer in Burnsall that will do short term lets, so I'm thinking of staying there for 3 nights. I'd use the bus/taxi to return to Ilkley to start the walk. This will give me a place to do laundry and Burnsall sounds like a beautiful little village.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2017, 08:15 AM
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There is a trad laundry in Otley if you want. Lots of restaurants/pubs, hills to walk over etc
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Old Aug 25th, 2017, 08:36 AM
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Thanks Bilbo, but we'd need something on the route of the Dales Way.

I ended up booking a cottage in Burnsall that allows short term rentals. We'll stay two nights there, and take a taxi back to Ilkley for the start of our walk.

We know that Bowness on Windermere where we will end our walk is very touristy and therefore more expensive. Can anyone recommend a hotel or b&b that they like that is under 200 pounds per night?
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Old Aug 26th, 2017, 12:46 AM
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Jenn, the Dales-Way unlike most of the other great walks in the UK was sort of forced onto the map rather than placed there from on high, so you can always start it 4 miles to the East Walking over the tops is a very pleasant way to earn a pint at the Cow and Calf.
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