Last year, I had planned to take Donna on a surprise trip to the Yorkshire Dales. Numerous arrangements had been made around the trip; however, unfortunately, due to a few hospital visits for me, plans had to change, and I moved it to January 2026.
So on Friday, the 16th January, we headed North. The owners of the lodge had kindly allowed us access to the lodge a couple of hours early, so we arranged to go for lunch at the nearest pub to the accommodation. The Tempest Arms is only a 5-minute drive away, and with a 33% reduction on your bill for January, it was an added bonus.
On the Saturday, having looked at what was a fairly positive weather forecast, we headed to Malham so we could do a walk taking in Janet's Foss waterfall, and Gordale Scar. However, after winding our way through the narrow lanes, we faced a packed village, with nowhere to park.
So instead, we followed the route out of the village over the hills and stopped off at Whinskill Stones for lunch. And it ended up being a really positive diversion to the day, as we went for a short hike in a lovely area, where areas of limestone were protruding from the ground, providing what are locally known as Limestone Pavements.
The plan for Sunday was to drive to Clapham, about 40 minutes away, and then go on a short walk of around 4 to 5 miles, where we would also take the opportunity to visit Ingleborough Cave. However, after driving for about 20 minutes in rain and low cloud, we decided to give it up as a bad job, so turned the car around and headed back to the lodge for a relaxing Sunday.
I sat outside, partly under the overhang to keep dry, and read the Sunday Newspaper whilst Donna read her book inside the lodge. The rest of the day included a short nap for me, chilling out in the hot tub with just the noise of the stream for company, and some TV.
Our plan for Monday was to visit a place we had been previously on a couple of occasions: Ingleton Waterfall Walk. It was around a 45-minute drive, and on arrival in Ingleton, we realised that I hadn't packed a hiking pole, so we had to seek out an outdoors shop in the village and make a purchase. It was more frustrating later that day when we got back to the lodge, and I realised that I did have a fold-up pole sitting there in plain sight in my suitcase!
Anyway, after paying the £11 per person to do the walk, yes, you do have to pay as the 5-mile or so walk is on private land, we headed up the trail.
The first half of the walk is all uphill, but not too steep, although it is quite rocky and slippery in places, so in damp conditions it can be a challenge. It's worth it, though, as there are so many waterfalls to see. We didn't, however, do the second half, and the downhill part of the walk, as due to how slippery it was underfoot, we decided just to take the narrow lane back to the village.
The forecast for Tuesday was dull, but also dry. So today's plan was the short drive to Bolton Abbey, a few miles north of Skipton. Although we have been to the Yorkshire Dales on many occasions, we had never been there. A place which is very popular in the summer, but hopefully not too bad on a January day, midweek.
And, it was a great place to visit. At £15 to park with no further entry costs, really cost-friendly. We were surprised when there, when Donna was chatting to a lady in the church, that it is linked to the Cavendish family, who also own Chatsworth House, amongst other places.
There were lots of interesting things to see on the estate, especially The Strid. An infamous stretch of water where the River Wharfe narrows from around 80ft to approximately 6 feet, and then widens again. In this small area, there is a cavern around 90ft deep right below this narrow gap with very powerful currents. People have died there, as if you fall in, you are very unlikely to get back out. By the end of the walk, we had been there for close to 7 hours, so a full day.
Now the weather forecast for Wednesday was rather mixed; however, we made the decision to drive over an hour to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Gardens. Another place we had been to a few times before, but the extensive ruins there, amongst other things, are really worth the visit.
We managed to stay dry for the first 90 minutes or so, but after stopping at the cafe near the lake, when we looked out of the window, it was raining. It didn't deter us from seeking out the Deer, before heading back up the estate and spending some time around the ruins. Yes, we were very wet, but when you have decent gear, the wet stays on the outside, so we were all good.
By Thursday, we fancied a bit of a rest day, and given that the forecast was for lots of rain, we just chilled around the lodge and went for an afternoon meal back at the Tempest Arms. A bit of TV and then an early night. You don't need to be busy all the time to enjoy a holiday.
Friday was travel day, and as is the case when we go away, we are up fairly early, with the car packed and on the road by 9am. And by 11:30am, we were home and unpacking. A lovely holiday.
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