Nidderdale is a fantastic place for a short break or longer holiday, or just for a day out.
Picturesque Pateley Bridge is at its heart where you can visit the award winning Nidderdale Museum and the Old Workhouse Arts Complex as well as exploring the High Street with its famous butchers and sweet shop, and its several cafés.
A drive from Pateley Bridge up the Dale will take you to the reservoirs at Gouthwaite and the pretty villages of Ramsgill, and Lofthouse. The higher reservoirs of Scar and Angram enjoy a spectacular setting and provide an interesting history about how they were built. The last village in the dale is Middlesmoor from where there are some wonderful views back down the dale, and nearby is How Stean Gorge Outdoor Centre and café, and Studfold Activity Centre.
Of course you can also explore Nidderdale on foot and there are some wonderful walks including the Nidderdale Way and several footpaths around Greenhow and the Coldstones Cut. If you fancy looking at Nidderdale from a more unusual angle, pay a visit to Stump Cross Caverns just beyond Greenhow Village and explore the potholes that stretch below ground.
Just north of Nidderdale is Fountains Abbey, a World Heritage Site owned by the National Trust, as is the nearby Brimham Rocks with its amazing array of large natural rocks eroded into various shapes. The historic City of Ripon lies not far away, and Harrogate with its elegant architecture, excellent shopping and RHS Harlow Carr is just a 25 minute drive away.
For any keen cyclists, why not take part in the Way of the Roses cycling challenge! The route offers cyclists of all abilities the chance to experience first hand some spectacular scenery taking in Lancaster, the Yorkshire Dales and York to name a few. You even cycle past The Coldstones Cut itself!
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And if you can visit in September, make a date to join everyone at the annual Nidderdale Show where, with so much to see and do, you will have a “grand day out”.
There are places to stay in Nidderdale to suit all tastes and budgets. You can find accommodation either self catering, camping, B & B or hotels by contacting Nidderdale Plus or the Tourist Board. Nidderdale Plus have produced a series of brochures on where to stay, eat and shop in the local area.
The following websites also provide useful information:
