Discover the beauty and history of the Yorkshire Dales and experience this popular National Park with its magnificent views, waterfalls and rivers on our brand new three day walking trip in Herriot Country.
Extras
Check-in to our hotel, and relax until evening comes. We’ll come together to enjoy a welcome drink with our other Solos guests before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Today we leave our hotel in Harrogate and take our bus to walk in the history and magnificent scenery of Wensleydale. Our walk begins at Bolton Castle, home and ‘prison’ to Mary, Queen of Scots for 6 months in 1568. We walk west along the limestone ridge on which the castle sits, taking in magnificent views of the Dales, before descending into the village of Carperby ,where Alf Wight, the ‘real’ James Herriot, spent his honeymoon. We then stop for lunch (at own cost) at a local pub or tea rooms. Our walk continues to the famous Aysgarth Falls to take in the sights and sounds of the upper, middle and lower Falls. If the river is not too high, there’s an opportunity to cool our feet in the River Ure. From the waterfalls, we take a scenic walk back to Bolton Castle through Freeholders’ Wood, an SSSI and dormouse reserve.
Walking Distance: 8 miles approx
Walking Time: 4-5 hours approx
Grade: Easy to Medium
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Transfer to/from Bolton Castle: 1 hour approx
For today’s walk, we take our bus for our walk in the beautiful Upper Wharfedale. We leave the bus at Buckden and walk through magnificent limestone scenery. First to Cray’s cascading waterfalls and then onto beautiful Langstrothdale as far as Yockenthwaite Farm, better known as Helen Alderson’s farm in the ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ TV series. We follow the sparkling river back to Hubberholme to see its historic church, where the interior filming took place for Helen’s wedding to James in the TV Series. We then take a well earned rest for lunch (at own cost). Our route then continues back to Buckden where we can take in fantastic views along the way.
Walking Distance: 8 miles approx
Walking Time: 4-5 hours approx
Grade: Easy to Medium
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Transfer to/from Buckden: 1 hour approx
After a leisurely breakfast, we check-out and perhaps have a final wander around delightful Harrogate before heading home.
Situated in the heart of the beautiful historic spa town of Harrogate, this charming Victorian hotel offers a fantastic blend of Victorian splendour and elegant contemporary style. It caused a stir when Agatha Christie retreated here after famously disappearing for 11 days! This historic hotel is a perfect base for our Yorkshire Dales walking break.
Facilities include the impressive Wedgwood restaurant, bar/ lounge and free Wi-Fi
Our comfortable rooms include en-suite bathroom, tea/coffee making facilities, flat screen TV, desk, easy chairs and table, iron/ironing board, hair-dryer and free Wi-Fi
Frequently Asked Questions
From the South
M1 to A1 to Wetherby, then exit onto A661 to Harrogate.
Follow signs to Ripon and town centre.
Drive down Parliament Street, straight across the traffic lights at the bottom, and up Ripon Road. After approximately 150 yards, turn left into
Swan Road.
From the North
A1 to A61 signed for Ripon and Thirsk.
Follow signs to Ripon.
Follow signs to Harrogate, through Ripley and Killinghall.
Take 2nd exit off roundabout onto Ripon Road.
After approx. 1 mile, turn right into Swan Road.
From the West
M62 to A1 to Wetherby, then exit onto A661 to Harrogate.
Follow signs to Ripon and town centre. Drive down Parliament Street, straight across the traffic lights at the bottom, and up Ripon Road. After approximately 150 yards, turn left into Swan Road.
Parking
There is parking on site with 4 designated disabled spaces. The parking is regulated by Harrogate Borough Council and if you wish to park your car at the hotel you must display a valid permit purchased from reception on arrival (£10.00 per day). All parking is subject to availability and operates on a first come first served basis.
Rail Travel
Harrogate Station 1 mile. There is an excellent service via York or Leeds.
Two guided walks are included in the programme. The walking programme is graded easy to medium and you can expect to walk up to approx 8 miles on each walk. Due to the nature of the area there will be rough ground and inclines.
Walking notes
Distance: 8 miles per day approx
Walking boots: Essential
It is recommended to purchase a snack and drink to take with you before each walk
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
What to Wear
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort.
Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
Walking boots with good ankle support
Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
Walking socks – several pairs
Lightweight fleece or jumper
Hat & gloves
Daysack/rucksack for walking
Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £10. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (the rounding up of the drinks bill and a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, restaurants expect a 10% gratuity (do check that service has not already been added to your bill). For taxis 10% of the metered fare.
The dress code for during the evening is casual.
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January - February | 6 °C | 1 °C |
| March | 9 °C | 2 °C |
| April | 11 °C | 3 °C |
| May | 15 °C | 6 °C |
| June | 18 °C | 9 °C |
| July - August | 20 °C | 11 °C |
| September | 17 °C | 9 °C |
| October | 14 °C | 7 °C |
| November | 9 °C | 3 °C |
| December | 7 °C | 2 °C |
“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”
“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
“I’ve been on loads of trips with Solos over the years and can honestly say you will not regret booking your 1st one!”
“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”
