jrjcolllins

As part of a month-long trip in England, we will be driving from Ironbridge Gorge to York, where we will drop off our car. We were thinking of driving through part of Yorkshire Dales or Moors before we reach York. We wouldn't have to be in York until the evening. How are the Dales and Moors different in scenery? Would the heather be in bloom in the Moors in late September? We wanted to go to Fountains Abbey and maybe a couple of little villages. Any suggestions for an itinerary? Because of our limited time, should we forget about the steam train to Whitby? We'd love any suggestions anyone has.

ribeirasacra

The difference between the Dales and Moors?
http://tinyurl.com/yehbvr4
http://tinyurl.com/ydmpwxc
You make up your mind.
Are you doing the trip between Ironbridge and York in once day?
The journey via Manchester is on a Motorway and from that road you will not see much. Journey time about 4 hours with no problems or stops.
But from this route you can take a diversion of into the Dales.
If this is a days journey then I would suggests you go via the Peak district.
I have some other ideas, but I do need to know how long you have before I can make some good suggestions.

janisj

If you are doing it in one day -- I agree w/ ribeirasacra, the Peaks make more sense.

Detouring through the Dales or Moors would be quite a long day.

jrjcolllins

Thank you, ribeirasacra. We will be making the trip in one day. However, we will have our rental car in York until 4PM the next day, in case we wanted to take another trip into the Dales Or Moors. Thanks in advance for your help.

Janet

janisj

hit post too soon - I'd think trying to explore either the Dales or Moors would be really difficult. But if those are you choices -- the Dales would be a <i>little</i> easier.

janisj

we were posting at the same time.

If you have a car til the next day -- I'd rethink things. Spend the night IN the Dales and then drive to York the next afternoon.

jrjcolllins

Thanks, janisj. I was just thinking of the same idea of spending the night in the Dales. As we have it set up now, we have 2 1/2 days in York which should be enough, from what I'm reading. Or should we spend the night in the Moors? My problem is that I have no idea of the difference in the two areas. Appreciate any of your ideas.

markrosy

Try going north to Preston then over to Clitheroe - you could easily make either :

http://www.innatwhitewell.com/welcome.php

or

http://www.thethreefishes.com/

Just noticed that you refer Fountains in the OP - it is well worth a visit.

The best around in the north of England. Then in the afternoon go over to Harrogate for Tea at Betty's.

http://www.bettys.co.uk/

Morgana may laugh but still a real Yorkshire thing to do!

Then on to stay in York. If you are very quick you could make a brief visit to Fountains Abbey between Harrogate and York. More tea and buns at the very good National Trust cafe.

If you do decide to go throught the Peaks (my bottom of the National Park list) try the :

http://www.thepeacockatrowsley.com/

Again top five pub grub north of Watford.

jrjcolllins

Thanks for all your suggestions, markrosy. We do plan to go to Fountains Abbey. What small villages nearby are good to explore?

markrosy

Try google searches to look at the architecture, cafes, shops, walks of :

Lancashire :
Chipping
Downhan
Whalley
Clitheroe (town)

Yorkshire :
Skipton (town)
Helmsley (two of the best pubs in England)
http://www.thestaratharome.co.uk/star_welcome.htm
http://www.fevershamarmshotel.com/double-rooms
Pateley Bridge
Grassington
Hawes (great food shops)
Whitby (proposed there in the rain) great place and Dracula thrown in!
Ripon (good shops)

Be careful with your planning. Northern England (my home) is pretty much like Sicily (as I found to my cost recently). There are many bright jewels but they shine in an aweful lot of coal!



Derbyshire
Bakewell - outrageously huge tarts
Alderley Edge - high end shops, per capita income higher than Manhattan

schnauzer

I just loved the Dales and preferred them scenery wise over the Moors which have their beauty but are far more "wild and remote" than the Dales.
Whilst we were touring this region we came up with the saying "All roads lead to Clitheroe" as every sign post we came to, no matter which direction we were driving had a sign leading to Clitheroe of course. Downham is just the quintesential village, duck pond etc. I took a photo and my Mum painted me a gorgeous water colour picture of it.

Can't go wrong with the Dales and the Forest of Bowland area.
Schnauzer

jrjcolllins

Thanks, schanuzer. Was trying to decide between the Dales and the Moors and I think the Dales it will be. I love your suggestions, markrosy, and especially the food! Thanks, everyone for helping me out. The Dales sound really special.

ribeirasacra

As you can see from my profile I now live in Galicia, Spain and I responded to you question because I have lived in Yorkshire and I also know the Ironbridge area too.
I am was pleased to see you responded quickly to mine and other posters questions.
I really have to leave it to you to decide what area is best (Dales verse Moors).
They both have their charm. And both have a similar feel about them too. I would never be able to decide for myself.
I do feel that 2.5 days is a bit too much for York. I would try and stay overnight in the dales, somewhere like (or villages near) Malham Cove; Swaledale; Bolton Castle; Ellerton Priory….I could go on and on.

Drive the Buttertubs pass;
http://www.drivingroads.co.uk/produc...products_id=48

This is a great interactive viewing point.
http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/ind...it-buckden.htm

PS some of the other suggestions of where to stay or visit are not in The Dales National park, but that is for you do decide if it is worth it or not.

janisj

W/ your route, I'd probably stay in the Dales. I love exploring the Moors but when I'm in the area It is usually in a self catering place for a week - somewhere near Sutton Bank/Thirsk or similar and placed to get anywhere in North Yorkshire.

But w/ just 1 day/night and starting from Ironbridge -- I'd choose the Dales - - - OR the Peak District (just to confuse you)

markrosy

My parents had friends over from Cape Cod last year.

They took the friends to the Dales. The friends just wnet back home pondering - "why so many stone walls, but why...."

Stayed here last year - lovely place and great food.

http://www.wensleydaleheifer.co.uk/

Morgana

Living in North Yorkshire I do get asked this question a lot, and there's really no answer. Both the Moors and the Dales are National Parks of great beauty (although to complicate things further not all the Dales are included in the Dales National Park!).
I would dispute the comment that the Moors are wilder and more remote. Parts of the Dales can be extremely bleak and unforgiving - I am particularly thinking about the area around Scarhouse Reservoir and Angram.
I would therefore go for practicality, and Janis's idea of a night in the Dales is excellent. This website is very good for B and B's in Yorkshire, and you can search by area.
www.yorkshirenet.co.uk
Alternatively you could push the boat out and stay at my favourite restaurant - The Yorke Arms in Ramsgill, Nidderdale. The setting is perfect, a tiny Dales hamlet, the building chocolate box pretty and the food Michelin starred and superb. This is where my husband takes me for anniversaries........and they do rooms too and a great breakfast.
www.yorke-arms.co.uk
I read occasional complaints that 'the rooms are small' but as this is an ancient hunting lodge I am not quite sure what people expect!
Mark - I'm forever at Betty's! We often go for brunch and prefer the Harlow Carr one because of the outlook over the gardens there.
http://www.bettys.co.uk/cafe.asp?sto...543C540F869%7D

jrjcolllins

Thanks for the links, Morgana.

Janet

hopingtotravel

good info here--adding to my list

stevelyon

Just caught up with this post, and cant resist adding my twopenneth. Great idea to go up the West side and then pass through the Trough of Bowland on the way to the Dales. Downham and Whitewell are very beautiful villages and worth a detour and border on the Dales (they are actually in Lancashire: where the coals outshine the jewels). Mitton is probably a wee bit too far(this is where the Three Fishes Inn is located). If you are considering the Western Route through the Trough I would consider staying at either Malham or Grassington which are in the Dales