Best place to base for Yorkshire Dales, York and area
Nov 5th, 2014, 12:13 AM
#21
Nov 5th, 2014, 03:23 AM
#22
Before I looked at Morgana's website I thought that Truro [my "home town"] was the smallest city in England, if not the UK, but it is well beaten by Ripon and Wells [England], Bangor [NI] and St Andrews [Scotland].
It's still pretty small though, with only 20,000 odd inhabitants.
It's still pretty small though, with only 20,000 odd inhabitants.
Nov 5th, 2014, 04:30 AM
#23
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I live not far from the 'city' of Ripon which is indeed small. And we always say we are 'going into town' when we go there!
The Cathedral aspect is a red herring. Not all places with Cathedrals are cities. An example is my home TOWN of Bury St Edmunds which has had a beautiful Cathedral for over 1000 years - but is not a city.
The Cathedral aspect is a red herring. Not all places with Cathedrals are cities. An example is my home TOWN of Bury St Edmunds which has had a beautiful Cathedral for over 1000 years - but is not a city.
Nov 5th, 2014, 06:01 AM
#24
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wow Blackpool is a town not a city - have to throw out any notions we have of what are cities (based on population usually) and what are towns (here a small population and area) - thanks Morgana for the edification!
Nov 5th, 2014, 06:51 AM
#25
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At the suggestion of some on this list we based ourselves for the North Yorkshire Moors and took a long day to drive through the Dales to the Lakes, which you could do in reverse.
We drove everywhere, and the abbeys were my favorites. Our nearest village was Kirbymoorside and our accommodations were at Brickfields Farm which I rank as one of the nicest places I've ever stayed. Heavenly, really.
http://www.brickfieldsfarm.co.uk/index.htm
Here is a link to my old-ish trip report. Morgana and others here were invaluable resources for this trip.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-uk-report.cfm
Surprisingly, I've been dumped by the "dear friend" I mentioned in the last sentence of that trip report. One never knows what the future holds.
We drove everywhere, and the abbeys were my favorites. Our nearest village was Kirbymoorside and our accommodations were at Brickfields Farm which I rank as one of the nicest places I've ever stayed. Heavenly, really.
http://www.brickfieldsfarm.co.uk/index.htm
Here is a link to my old-ish trip report. Morgana and others here were invaluable resources for this trip.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-uk-report.cfm
Surprisingly, I've been dumped by the "dear friend" I mentioned in the last sentence of that trip report. One never knows what the future holds.
Nov 5th, 2014, 02:08 PM
#28
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OK, I have been looking for a rental in a wonderful countryside place, maybe a small village/town, maybe the size of Chipping Campden or a little larger where we can walk or short drive to wonderful pubs 
I was trying to get in the middle between Yorkshire Dales and Moors, but then when I did a quick search on attractions, it looked like there was more in the Dales? The Moors are maybe more Scotland type/walking scenery?
We do want to visit Castles, Houses, Abbeys, Gardens etc. (thanks for the links) should we maybe base closer to the Dales?
LOVE Brickfields Farm but a self catering might be better for us (washer/dryer/less $$) and again, thinking maybe to base closer to Dales
We will be doing some walks, but not all day walks, day after day.
So if this sounds confusing it's because I am confused, please more suggestions and help. I think we can stay 6 nights.
I was trying to get in the middle between Yorkshire Dales and Moors, but then when I did a quick search on attractions, it looked like there was more in the Dales? The Moors are maybe more Scotland type/walking scenery?
We do want to visit Castles, Houses, Abbeys, Gardens etc. (thanks for the links) should we maybe base closer to the Dales?
LOVE Brickfields Farm but a self catering might be better for us (washer/dryer/less $$) and again, thinking maybe to base closer to Dales
We will be doing some walks, but not all day walks, day after day.
So if this sounds confusing it's because I am confused, please more suggestions and help. I think we can stay 6 nights.
Nov 5th, 2014, 11:23 PM
#29
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I'll try and explain it.
North Yorkshire is a huge county. It contains two large National Parks, the Dales and the Moors.
There's no one place that gives you quick easy access to both places.
As far as 'attractions'. I have no idea which place has the most, despite knowing both areas like the back of my hand (and living in one of them). They are both scenically beautiful, both have castles and abbeys and historic houses etc. I personally don't think the Moors are that much like Scotland.
I think with 5 days (and with self catering) you should start off by making a decision whether you want to stay in the Dales OR the Moors. I have already given you plenty of Dales suggestions above, as have others.
However, if you decide the Moors are for you, then look at Helmsley, a very nice small town within walking distance of Rievaulx Abbey.
You really can't go wrong with the Dales or the Moors! And whichever you choose you can always take a day out to visit the other!
North Yorkshire is a huge county. It contains two large National Parks, the Dales and the Moors.
There's no one place that gives you quick easy access to both places.
As far as 'attractions'. I have no idea which place has the most, despite knowing both areas like the back of my hand (and living in one of them). They are both scenically beautiful, both have castles and abbeys and historic houses etc. I personally don't think the Moors are that much like Scotland.
I think with 5 days (and with self catering) you should start off by making a decision whether you want to stay in the Dales OR the Moors. I have already given you plenty of Dales suggestions above, as have others.
However, if you decide the Moors are for you, then look at Helmsley, a very nice small town within walking distance of Rievaulx Abbey.
You really can't go wrong with the Dales or the Moors! And whichever you choose you can always take a day out to visit the other!
Nov 6th, 2014, 02:56 AM
#30
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Personal opinion only, the Dales beat the Moors for diverse scenery, drives and walks, and the Settle/Carlisle railway crossing the Ribblehead viaduct (voted one of the best UK rail journeys). The Moors give access to the coast and the steam driven North York Moors Railway (although you can't see much from it). I much prefer the Dales - we're off again to Settle in a couple of weeks, then Hawes in the spring.
Nov 6th, 2014, 03:24 AM
#31
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I too prefer the Dales but of course I am biased. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
Having said that, I'm off to the Moors tomorrow for a long weekend staying high up on the hills and I know we'll have a wonderful time (with fish and chips by the seaside being an essential part of the trip!).
Having said that, I'm off to the Moors tomorrow for a long weekend staying high up on the hills and I know we'll have a wonderful time (with fish and chips by the seaside being an essential part of the trip!).
Nov 6th, 2014, 09:01 AM
#33
Totally different for sure.
The Dales are terrific -- but the roads are slow so you will need several days.
If you are limited to 5 days my choices would be either 4 in the Dales and 1 in York, or possibly 3 days in the Dales and 2 someplace like Helmsley or Thirsk. That would give you one day for exploring the Moors and NE North Yorkshire and one day for York.
But as Morgana said - there is no place convenient to the Moors and the Dales.
The Dales are terrific -- but the roads are slow so you will need several days.
If you are limited to 5 days my choices would be either 4 in the Dales and 1 in York, or possibly 3 days in the Dales and 2 someplace like Helmsley or Thirsk. That would give you one day for exploring the Moors and NE North Yorkshire and one day for York.
But as Morgana said - there is no place convenient to the Moors and the Dales.
Nov 6th, 2014, 01:32 PM
#34
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I'm thinking closer to the Dales, and I may try to add one more day. Thanks for the opinions, very helpful.
Thanks for the continued help, plan to do some more research!
anicecupoftea I am very jealous that you are staying mear Settle. I had found a great rental in Giggleswick, near Settle ~ who wouldn't want to stay in Giggleswick? But too far from the Moors.
When in Dorset we visited a place on the River Piddle. Who wouldn't want to live near the River Piddle?????
Perfect address would be Giggleswick-by-the-River-Piddle! I love the Britsh names!
Thanks for the continued help, plan to do some more research!
anicecupoftea I am very jealous that you are staying mear Settle. I had found a great rental in Giggleswick, near Settle ~ who wouldn't want to stay in Giggleswick?
But too far from the Moors.When in Dorset we visited a place on the River Piddle. Who wouldn't want to live near the River Piddle?????
Perfect address would be Giggleswick-by-the-River-Piddle! I love the Britsh names!
Nov 6th, 2014, 01:46 PM
#35
>>But too far from the Moors.<<
If you want one base, I personally think you need to bite the bullet an decide either the Dales OR the Moors. If you stay in the Dales (it sounds like you are leaning that way and it is a good choice) you will be 2 hours or more from the Moors. For instance Grassington to Goathland would take 2.5 hours each way so not a reasonable day trip. Same for Aysgarth or other areas recommended above.
If you stay nearer the Moors - you'll have a hard time touring around the Dales.
If you want one base, I personally think you need to bite the bullet an decide either the Dales OR the Moors. If you stay in the Dales (it sounds like you are leaning that way and it is a good choice) you will be 2 hours or more from the Moors. For instance Grassington to Goathland would take 2.5 hours each way so not a reasonable day trip. Same for Aysgarth or other areas recommended above.
If you stay nearer the Moors - you'll have a hard time touring around the Dales.
Nov 8th, 2014, 09:24 AM
#40
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Someone should do a photo book of the most amusing names of towns in the UK! The British have such a descriptive way of speaking.
I tweaked our intinerary to get 1 more day in the Dales and Moors, so we now have 7 nights. And so I can stop obsessing about trying to find a rental in the middle of the two areas.
I'm thinking that after our 7 night rental at the Lake District near Watermillock, we drive to Whitby for 2 nights, and then to Grassington or someplace central in the Dales for 5 nights.
Of course, it was said at the beginning of this thread "there's no one place that will give access to all it has to offer".............
I tweaked our intinerary to get 1 more day in the Dales and Moors, so we now have 7 nights. And so I can stop obsessing about trying to find a rental in the middle of the two areas.
I'm thinking that after our 7 night rental at the Lake District near Watermillock, we drive to Whitby for 2 nights, and then to Grassington or someplace central in the Dales for 5 nights.
Of course, it was said at the beginning of this thread "there's no one place that will give access to all it has to offer".............
