Places to go

Distance from Peaks and Pods: The Hub (car parking, toilets and café, and the start of most trails) – five miles, Tosside (entrance to the forest for mountain bikers) – two miles

Information – www.forestry.gov.uk/gisburn

Gisburn Forest is a superb destination for mountain bikers, walkers, families and people who just enjoy a trip somewhere different to eat. Facilities include a large car park, excellent toilets, information boards and leaflets, cafe with plenty of inside and outside seating, (even sofas upstairs!).

The forest is a perfect destination for mountain bikers, and more details for cyclists can be found on our Cycling tab, and at www.forestry.gov.uk/gisburn. It’s perfect for riders of all abilities – you’ll be hooked! Bike hire is available.

Stretch your legs and walk on one of the many trails through Gisburn Forest, most starting from Stocks Reservoir car park, with a link trail to and from Gisburn Forest Hub. The Gisburn Forest website has details of five different walks of varying difficulty for all ages and abilities. If you chose to walk all round Stocks Reservoir you’ll find the tackle shop across the reservoir, which has toilets and some basic refreshments. Find out more on our Walking and Outdoors tab.

Eating and drinking

Whilst exploring the surroundings of Gisburn Forest take time to sample the delicious food, drinks and ice cream at the Gisburn Forest Hub Cafe. It doesn’t matter whether you’re caked in mud or not, you’ll always get a warm welcome. If you really want to relax, there’s a spacious dining area upstairs with cosy leather […]

Distance from Peaks & Pods: Tosside 2 miles, Bolton-by-Bowland 8 miles

The nearest village is Tosside – just two miles away. The recently-opened Bowland Fell Park Farm Shop is next to Crow Trees Inn, just out of the village, and sells a selection of locally-produced food, such as Blue Pig sausages, bacon and black pudding. You’ll get a hearty home-cooked meal in Tosside at The Old Vicarage Tearoom, with outside seating and a drinks licence. www.tossidetearoom.org. The Bowland Restaurant at Crow Trees Inn serves real ales and food served during the weekend.

A further six miles on from Tosside is the picturesque Lancashire village of Bolton-by-Bowland, which boasts a wonderful pub – the Coach and Horses. Just out of the village is Holden Clough Nursery, which is a lovely little garden centre with a wonderful café – The Garden Kitchen. It’s famous for its amazing ‘Afternoon Picnics’, to be booked in advance. Bolton-by-Bowland has a pretty church and green, and lots of walks start from the village.

Distance from Peaks & Pods: 5 miles

Settle is a lovely little market town full of quality independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, and is home to the world famous Settle-Carlisle Railway.

The town is surrounded by a stunning limestone landscape with dry stone walls, meadows, scars, peaks, field barns, waterfalls, becks, caves, potholes….and sheep! It’s a brilliant destination for fell walking, cycling, mountain biking and sight-seeing.

Most days (except Tuesdays), you can park in the centre of Settle – in and around the Market Place – for free for two hours (although you must display a car parking disc, available from nearby shops). If you wish to stay longer, use one of the several pay and display car parks near the centre.

Information

Settle Market every Tuesday

A weekly market is held in the centre of Settle every Tuesday, with lots of regular stalls offering a great range of food and goods.
www.settlemarket.co.uk

Booths Supermarket

Booths is a fabulous supermarket on the edge of the town and offers a great range of top-quality food and drink.
www.booths.co.uk

Settle to Carlisle Railway

Explore one of the world’s greatest rail journeys along the stunning 72-mile route from Settle to Carlisle. Running through some of the most attractive scenery in the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian Fells, the Settle-Carlisle railway is world famous for its Victorian architecture, huge stone viaducts, long tunnels and remote wayside station buildings. It is not a preserved heritage railway – it is part of the UK rail network. The diesel sprinter trains carry well over a million passengers every year and provide a vital […]

Distance from Peaks & Pods: 12 miles

Just north of Settle is the very special village of Clapham. It’s a picture-perfect village with a beck running through the middle, which starts high on the slopes of Ingleborough. It’s also the home of the Cave Rescue Association. There’s plenty of car parking in the National Park car park in the village.

Nature Trail

Ingleborough Estate’s trail goes through beautiful lakeside woodland up to Ingleborough Cave. The trail, suitable for wheelchairs and prams, it was created to celebrate the work of Reginald Farrer, a plant collector and author, who travelled the world gathering many rare plant species before cultivating them in the area.

Tea Time Vintage

A shop of curiosities located in a converted barn, packed to the rafters with all sorts of quirky items including homeware, vintage, furniture and clothes.

Clapham Village Store

This reopened as a community-run shop in 2015 and has a lovely, old-fashioned feel.

Growing with Grace – Just on the edge of the village, across the A65, Growing with Grace are organic suppliers of fresh, seasonal food. As well as supplying organic boxes to the local area, GwG also sell directly from their farm shop at the nursery. www.growingwithgrace.org.uk

Glencroft

Suppliers of sheepskin and country wear

The New Inn

A lovely pub to stop call in for a pint or a meal.

Cafe and Bunk Barn

Cafe and bar with outside seating next to the car park and toilets.

Croft Cafe

A quaint cafe in the village that serves tasty, traditional food and drink.

Distance from Peaks & Pods: 12 miles

Malham is a very popular, beautiful Dales village, surrounded by limestone walls and a stream running through the middle of the village. There’s something for everyone in Malham, from exploring the famous cove, to enjoying wonderful food at the Lister’s Arms. A Malhamdale leaflet features five great walks in the Malham area and is available to download at www.malhamdale.com.

Around Malham:

Malham Cove – A huge curving amphitheatre shaped cliff formation of limestone rock, about 260ft high. The top of the cove is a large area of deeply eroded limestone pavement, of a strange pattern rarely seen in England. The majesty of Malham Cove looks out over the village of Malham and has been attracting visitors for centuries. www.malhamdale.com

Gordale Scar – Created during the Ice Age, melt water created a cavern that eventually collapsed to form the waterfall and gorge that you see today. It’s open all year and a good footpath leads from the road into Gordale Scar.  You can climb up the waterfall, except after heavy rain when access is limited but the waterfall becomes even more spectacular. www.malhamdale.com/gordalescar

Malham Tarn – A glacial lake near Malham, 377 metres above sea level, making it the highest freshwater lake in England. A beautiful place for a stroll, a picnic and a chance for some fresh air; Walk or cycle at this National Trust venue, or visit the National Nature Reserve. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/malham-tarn-estate

Janet’s Foss – Walk from the village to the magical waterfall Janet’s Foss. The route follows the beck along gravel and flagged […]

Distance from Peaks & Pods: from three miles

The Forest of Bowland is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covering 312 square miles of rural land in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The area is known for its wide-open spaces, wild and untouched landscape and special places to visit. It’s a countryside lover’s dream – brimming with opportunities for outdoor activities in the most stunning scenery.

The picturesque village of Slaidburn is seven miles from Peaks and Pods and there’s no better place to while away a few hours, sipping tea on the village green on the banks of the River Ribble or a bottle of something stronger in the beer garden at the Hark to Bounty. Nip to the local shop for supplies, walk along the riverbank or lie on the green and watch the clouds go by.  At weekends, visit Vanilla Angel – a gorgeous home interiors shop that’s also the home of the Bowland Choclate Company. www.vanilla-angel.co.uk

A riverbank walk will take you two miles from Slaidburn to Newton-in-Bowland, where you can seek refreshment at the lovely village inn that does great food – the Parkers Arms. Journey on three two miles and you’ll reach Dunsop Bridge – the exact geographical centre of the UK. Load up with food for the ducks from Puddleducks Post Office and Tearoom and wait for the hungry hoards to peck at your feet! Roll up your trousers to paddle in the beck, and eat home cooked food at the tearoom – popular with cyclists and walkers. There’s a good playground to the rear of the […]

Distance from Peaks & Pods: 14 miles+

Discover the wealth of activites around the Ingleton area at www.threepeaksyorkshire.com

• Ingleton Waterfalls Trail – The trail follows a well-defined footpath, which runs as close to the edge of the two rivers as possible to provide spectacular views of the waterfalls. www.ingletonwaterfallstrail.co.uk
• Ingleton Swimming Pool – a heated outdoor swimming pool in a beautiful setting next to the river in Ingleton. It is open daily during the summer. The pool is open from May to early September. Visit www.ingletonpool.co.uk
• Ingleton Climbing Wall – 300sq meters of lead climbing wall with in-situ quickdraws and lower-off belays, with routes to suit all abilities from novice to crag rat. 150sq metres plus of bouldering walls at various angles with many colour coded problems. We can arrange a qualified climbing guide for beginners .www.inglesport.com/our-climbing-wall  Satisfy your hunger at Inglesport’s Cafe, the ideal venue to arrange to meet friends to plan your day’s caving or climbing.
• Ribblehead Viaduct – Ribblehead viaduct is probably the most famous of the many feats of Victorian engineering along the stunning Settle to Carlisle railway line. Its iconic location in the middle of the Three Peaks makes it a popular photo stop. Well worth a visit!
• Country Harvest – An award winning food hall, clothing, gift shop and cafe situated on the A65 just outside Ingleton. The meat section is run by a former Young Butcher of the Year, who has won awards for his sausage and burger recipes. www.country-harvest.co.uk
• Whitescar Cave, Chapel-le-Dale – The longest show cave in Britain. The guided […]
  
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Distance from Peaks & Pods: 14 miles

Clitheroe is a wonderful market town in the heart of the Ribble Valley and is a superb place to visit, with an excellent variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and visitor attractions. Go to – www.visitlancashire.com for more information.

• Clitheroe Market – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – www.ribblevalley.gov.uk
• Clitheroe Castle – www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/clitheroe-castle-and-museum-p7129
• Ribblesdale Swimming Pool – www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/info/200369/ribblesdale_swimming_pool/1475/pool_opening_times
• Holmes Mill (home to Bowland Beer Hall) – a former textiles mill that boasts the UK’s longest bar. The surroundings are unique and the food is delicious. There’s also a cafe, gelateria, gourmet food shop and Bowland Brewery. www.holmesmill.co.uk
• The Emporium – Half coffee shop, wine bar and brasserie, half interior design store, it’s housed in an old Methodist Chapel and is arranged over three floors. www.theemporiumclitheroe.co.uk
• Afternoon picnics are legendary at The Garden Kitchen at Holden Clough Nursery in Bolton-by-Bowland. As well as a superb tearoom in a beautiful rural location, it’s an award-winning garden nursery and well worth a trip. Visit – www.holdencloughnursery.com
• For art lovers, there’s the Platform Gallery next to Clitheroe Station.
• Follow in the footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien and follow the Tolkien Trail in Hurst Green. Tolkien regularly stayed at Stonyhurst College in the Ribble Valley – www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/the-tolkien-trail-in-the-footsteps-of-j-r-r-tolkien-p583810
• Take a spooky ‘Top Hat Tour’ in Clitheroe or nearby Ribble Valley –  www.tophattours.co.uk

Shopping in Clitheroe

There are very many lovely, independent shops in Clitheroe, with a handful of high street shops such as Fat Face, Boots and M&Co.

• D Byrne & Co Wine Shop – This multi-award […]
  
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Distance from Peaks & Pods: 17 miles

Skipton is a popular town and tourist destination, made famous by its award-winning High Street – the site of its market every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Visit www.welcometoskipton.com. There are countless excellent shops, cafes and restaurants.

Distance from Peaks & Pods: 21-23 miles

• Billy-Bob’s Parlour, near Embsay – Billy Bob’s combines a pretty awesome ice cream parlour with a 50s American diner and amazing play adventures for children. A brilliant place to go for adults and children! You need to book a table in advance. www.billybobsparlour.com
• Embsay Steam Railway – Take a ride behind a vintage steam locomotive for a special journey back in time. The timetable changes according to the seasons, so check online at  www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk
• Hesketh Farm Park, Bolton Abbey – Excellent farm park for children with indoor and outdoor activities for all the family. A top-quality visitor attraction. www.heskethfarmpark.co.uk
• Bolton Abbey – spend the day on the banks of the River Wharfe and explore miles of footpaths with something for all ages. Walk through Strid Wood or cross the river along the stepping stones. Take the ‘Welly Walk’ during the summer months.  www.boltonabbey.com
• Burnsall – Spend a heavenly day messing about in dinghies on the River Wharfe at Burnsall. Drive over the bridge and park in a field right up to the edge of the river. Picnic or barbecue to your heart’s content, or visit the Red Lion for refreshments.

Distance from Peaks & Pods: 21 miles

A lovely Dales village with stunning views, beautiful stone buildings, quirky shops and friendly pubs. There is a great selection of independent shops in Grassington, including clothing and gift shop No 1 The Square, Helen Midgley footwear, fashion and leather goods, gifts and homeware at Bay Tree Interiors, and The Hedgerow at Threshfield, with fabulous flowers, gifts and coffee shop. Visit – www.grassington.uk.com

Grassington National Park Centre, with large car park and toilets. www.yorkshiredales.org.uk

Grassington hosts the famous Grassington Festival in June and July, and the atmospheric Dickensian Festival in December.

Long Ashes Leisure Club is close to Grassington, and features a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi and gym, where guests can buy a day pass. It also has an airy coffee shop, and Gamekeeper’s Inn pub next door.

Distance from Peaks & Pods: 27 miles

The lovely spa town of Ilkley is an excellent destination, just over the boundary into West Yorkshire. The Victorian town’s superb shops and restaurants, along with its surrounding countryside, make it a great tourist destination.

• Ilkley Lido – The lido offers outdoor swimming in an unusual ‘mushroom’ shaped pool, opened in 1935. The season usually starts with a water temperature around 14 degrees Celsius rising to 22 degrees at its peak. Cafe on site. Indoor swimming is available all year. www.ilkleylido.co.uk
• Ilkley Cinema – By blending relaxed modern design and the very latest in projection and audio technology with the age-old values of exceptional customer service and attention to detail, Ilkley Cinema has created a unique viewing experience.  www.ilkleycinema.co.uk
• Ilkley Moor – Heritage walks on Ilkley Moor are available to view and download on www.ilkleymoor.org/walks
• Superb shops, cafes and restaurants, including the famous Betty’s Tearoom, and the quirky Friends of Ham.