North of Greater Manchester lies the spectacular scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. Unlike the Lake District, this national park feels wilder and more untouched than its neighbour.
It’s a landscape of rolling green hills, limestone crags and hidden waterfalls. Among the rising fells are the three mountains which make up the iconic Three Peaks challenge, where people attempt to climb Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in under 12 hours.
Overlooked by the lowest fell (Pen-y-Ghent) is the tiny village of Horton in Ribblesdale, which has a population of a little over 400 people. Despite its modest size, this picturesque cluster of cottages lures visitors who are embarking on the Three Peaks Challenge.
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The village, less than two hours’ drive from Manchester, is a popular starting point for the epic 24 mile route, as walkers usually tackle Pen-y-Ghent first. The fell also makes for a great standalone walk and the 694m summit offers panoramic views of the area.
From Horton in Ribblesdale you can pick the Pennine Way and the Ribble Way, making this destination a walker’s paradise. One place which is definitely worth a visit is the Hull Pot, around two miles from the village.
The Hull Pot is a collapsed cavern with an impressive hole which is 18m deep, 18m wide and 91m long. What makes it so special is during wet weather the Hull Pot Beck flows over the edge of the gorge, creating a spectacular waterfall.
When it is dry the stream goes underground before appearing at the bottom of the gorge. Either way it’s an impressive sight - just be careful not to get too close to the edge. Hull Pot lies on the western side of Pen-y-Ghent, so you can combine it with a walk up the fell.
The village itself features two pubs, The Crown and The Golden Lion, perfect for a hearty meal after a day spent walking. There’s a range of accommodation options too, including bed and breakfasts and campsites.
Horton in Ribblesdale is situated on the Settle to Carlisle Railway line, one of the most scenic train journeys in the UK. So even if you’re not a fan of walking, you can still enjoy the stunning scenery this part of the world has to offer in more relaxing way.
To the west of the village, around 30 minutes drive away, you’ll find Ingleborough Cave and Gaping Gill. The former is a magical show cave lit by floodlights where you can see stalagmites, stalactites and flowstones. It’s reached via a pretty one-mile woodland walk through the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail.
Gaping Gill is one of the most famous caves in the Dales and lies a mile north of Ingleborough Cave. Fell Beck flows down into its huge cavern, cascading nearly 100m and creating a breathtaking waterfall.
For only a few days each year members of the public can be lowered down to the bottom of Gaping Gill on a seat attached to a winch, offering a unique way to experience the cave. Gaping Gill holds the record for the highest unbroken waterfall in England and the largest underground chamber naturally open to the surface.
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