Hi Morgana. Way back in October I posted a question regarding the Dales after you had recommended a big driving loop through the northern Dales. My husband and I will be traveling from Halthwhistle to York. You recommended seeing some of the dales,heading down to the Kirkby Stephen area then along to Richmond. Some of the other sites that I've read about are Fountains Abbey, the national park, Skipton Castle, and Bolton Abbey. I know this is definitely an over-zealous list, but is it possible to include one on the list and which one? We will be leaving Haltwhistle about 9:00 a.m. (??) and don't have to get to York until the evening. So we basically have one day to explore. I want to make the day meaningful, which means I don't want to just fly by. We like to tour and shop. What would you strongly recommend as an itinerary on that day? Thanks. Helene

Hi Helene
Sorry, only just seen your message - it's been a busy weekend!
You are saying you would like me to plan you a route from Haltwhistle to York taking in some of the beauty of the Dales? Happy to do that for you, although the 'shopping' bit might be more difficult as it is very rural! Especially the route I'd take you!
Will you be staying in York? Because if so I would recommend seeing Fountains Abbey and the Water Gardens when you are staying there. Fountains isn't actually in the Dales, but easily reached from York, and would actually be way top of the list you have drawn up.
Would you mind if I responded more fully tomorrow? It's Mothers Day here, the sun is shining and I'm being taken out for the day!
M

Hi, Morgana. Happy Mother's Day! I live in New Jersey and we don't celebrate ours until May. Some more information for you....My husband and I are leaving Haltwhistle on Sunday, 7/8 and plan to arrive in York sometime Sunday evening. We will be in York the entire day on both Monday and Tuesday. We are leaving for Broadway in the Cotswolds on Wednesday morning. So, with that in mind I am asking that you suggest what to see on Sunday of the Dales. Forget the shopping. It would be wonderful to use the morning and afternoon to tour a total of two sites. I would rather miss something than rush through. Since we are staying in York for only two days, would our time be best spent in York for both days, or should we try to use one of those days to see the Fountains. We're okay with missing places. I hope to be back some day. Have a wonderful day today! Thanks. Helene

Morgana will be back after her celebration w/ your route (I have a few ideas but I defer to her since she is right there and gives terrific advice)

But just a comment about York/Fountains. I think you have time to do both. In fact you could easily see Fountains Abbey/Studley Royal <b>and</b> Castle Howard on the same day (if that interests you) and be back in York before dinner time. York is a compact city and you can see quite a lot of it in one day. Plus you'd have the 3 evenings free in the city after the day trippers have gone home. Plus it will be light quite late so you can do things like walk on the city walls and such in the evening and it will still be daylight.

In a perfect world you'd have 3 or 4 days there -- 2 for York and a couple to explore the moors, Fountains Abbey, Castle Howard, a few other abbeys and the countryside. But w/ 2+ days you still can see quite a lot.

Thanks,Janis. Is your recommendation to see the Fountains and Castle Howard on the way to York? BTW,what is Studley Royal? Or,is your suggestion to use one of the two days we will be in York to see these sites? We are using a car park. If we need the car during the day, do you think there will be a problem. Does it work just like the States? Possibly we can let the car park know that we might need the car to make things easier? It's all these little details that are killing me....Helene

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal are the same place - well practically anyway. The Abbey abuts the Studley Royal Gardens. http://www.fountainsabbey.org.uk/

No - I probably wouldn't stop to see Fountains enroute to York -- UNLESS your route takes you through Ripon and you get there well before the Abbey's closing time. This will partly depend on where Morgana's recommendations take you. If you do get to Fountains that day - fine, but I would not cut short your meander through the Dales to squeeze it in.

What I meant was both Fountains/Studley and Castle Howard are easily doable on the same day trip out of York.

As for your parking situation - I take it your B&amp;B or hotel doesn't have its own car park? I'm not quite sure what you mean by letting the car park know. If you leave your car, why couldn't you simply take it out for a drive and the come back and park in the same lot?

No, the hotel doesn't have its own car park....and yes, we can just take the car out and in as we choose. So now I'm clear with your recommendation about using one of the two days to see the Fountains and Castle Howard. Thanks. Helene

Helene
First thing is - don't panic! Everything will be fine although I appreciate you don't want to miss anything!
I'll do your route from Haltwhistle to York tomorrow when I have more time and a map in front of me so I get the road numbers correct for you!
I do think that you should visit Fountains Abbey whilst staying in York. By the way, there are no fountains at the Abbey! Studley Royal is a water garden landscaped hundreds of years after the abbey was built and all on the same estate. Your entry gives you access to the Abbey and the water gardens (about 10/15 minutes walk away from the abbey). It's a very large estate - deer park, Fountains Hall etc etc. This website gives you details and will help you plan your time there -
www.fountainsabbey.org.uk
The advantage of Fountains Abbey is that it opens quite early (10am I believe) so you could breakfast in York and make your way there first thing - it's in a valley and a very rural setting. Then back in York for the afternoon to do your shopping, museums or whatever, and then the lovely long summer evening as Janis says to walk the walls, perhaps do a boat trip down the river, a ghost walk, service at the Minster, show at the Opera house and/or a meal at one of York's very good restaurants. Then the next day Castle Howard first thing and back to York for more of the same in the afternoon. York is very compact and although it has plenty to see it will be pretty easy to prioritise. My top suggestions would be the Minster and the Railway Museum (fab, even if you don't much like trains, and free entry too, with the Yorkshire wheel immediately outside the Museum, small charge to ride on it).
Here are some more links to assist with your planning, including restaurant suggestions.
www.visityork.org
www.nrm.org.uk
www.castlehoward.co.uk
www.thebluebicycle.com
www.jbakers.co.uk/jeffbaker

I really appreciate you doing this for us. I'm not panicking yet. To me the trip seems like its closing in, but we're not really leaving until July 3rd.....and I still have to plan the Cotswolds, Oxford, and London...and I know my husband is going to want to see Stonehenge, even though it really isn't on our route and it appears from the comments I've read that one can see more in pictures than actually visiting. I've been reading up on all of these places since October if you can believe it. Hope your day was wonderful! See ya. Helene

HeleneW - I am interested in the response you will get from Morgana.

Thanks for all the great links.

Sandy

Good to hear you are not panicking. I leave for the USA Monday week, and I could easily start panicking if I let myself. But - my secret weapon to keep panic at bay is a folder. Not a web based folder but a paper one with all sorts of bits of info in it - maps, restaurant suggestions, tours, walks - everyone teases me about my folders but I always plan using one, and travel with one and it seems to work!
Will do your route with lots of exciting things on it tomorrow - off to bed shortly, tiring (but very good) day.
M

Hi Helene- If you do decide to visit Stonehenge, I would recommend that you arrange for a Stone Circle Access through English Heritage. If you arrange it early enough you should be able to choose your time slot; either early in the morning (before regular opening hours) or in the evening (after closing)
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/s...ConWebDoc.1913
You have one hour to see Stonehenge up close among the stones with a small group of people. It was well worth it to see Stonehenge this way. I know I would have been disappointed if I had just visited the regular tourist way and been outside on the path. Here is a link to my pictures of Stonehenge (and Salisbury Cathedral):
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...d=8DZsmzZuzamA

We had a short time in York - just 24 hours, and I would have loved another day. More, actually, to see the surrounding area. I would leave plenty of time to see the Minster, including the downstairs part which is amazing. Also, we walked a tiny part of the city wall, and wished we could have done more.

Hi again
Right – Haltwhistle to York in a day. There are numerous ways you could do this but I have chosen this one as being wildy scenic with plenty to see and do and it will give you the full flavour of some of the Dales.
I would recommend heading west from Haltwhistle and picking up the M6 motorway, and travel south on it down to Junction 37. Motorways aren’t usually scenic although this one is rather beautiful when it hugs the edge of the Lake District. And it will get you down towards the Dales quickly.
After you leave at Junction 27 start heading east along the A684, travelling through Sedburgh until you come to Hardraw Force (waterfall). You are now in Wensleydale, famous for its white crumbly cheese. Hardraw Force will be the first stop of the day – a 100ft waterfall drop in a lovely setting (and you walk through a pub, the Green Dragon, to reach it!).
www.hardrawforce.com
Just past here is Hawes, nice little town where you could pick up picnic supplies if it’s a sunny day. Also the Wensleydale Cheese Visitor Centre if this appeals to you.
www.wensleydale.co.uk
Carry on heading east along the A684 until you reach Aysgarth Waterfalls, featured at the beginning of the film Robin, Prince of Thieves. There are Lower and Upper falls. A lovely spot for a picnic (there is a small charge for the car park).
You then need to look out for the B6160 which will start heading you south. This is truly the most wonderful road - the typical Dales scenery is just amazing and you will be sticking to this road all the way down to Grassington. I won’t give you advice as to where to stop on this part of the route because it is so gorgeous I am sure you will just want to pull up as and when to admire the views and take pictures. You pass through the lovely Wharfedale villages of Cray, Buckden, Starbotton and Kettlewell. This is the countryside featured in the film Calendar Girls.
You may want to stop in Grassington – it’s the National Park centre and has little shops and tearooms if you want to explore for a while (and shop!!)
www.grassington.net
Then from Grassington take the B6160 through Hebden to Bolton Abbey, well signposted when you get close and well worth a stop – your last of the day.
www.boltonabbey.com
Then back into the car, pick up the A59 east and follow it through Harrogate to York.
If you can avoid it I wouldn’t do this trip on a Sunday, as the Dales will be much busier than other days.
Let me know if you have any questions!
By doing this route, and by visiting Fountains Abbey when you are actually in York, you will be seeing everything on your original hit list apart from Skipton Castle, although you aren't that far from Skipton when you are at Bolton Abbey. I personally would leave it out though.
M

Whoops - leave the Motorway definitely at 37 and NOT 27.
Sorry!
Should read through properly before I press 'post my reply'!

Morgana...Our luck! We're leaving Haltwhistle on Sunday. Oh well. Thanks you so very much for all of this. Where are you traveling in the US? Can I help you with any info. regarding your trip? Helene

Don't worry! Sunday will be fine, although the car parks will be busier of course.