Hartlington

Hartlington is quite possibly the smallest village in the whole of the Yorkshire Dales, but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in character.

Nestled in the hills that form the heart of Wharfedale, Hartlington is near the equally picturesque villages of Burnsall and Grassington, and has a campsite with a bed and breakfast just a little further up the road.

The area is popular with cyclists because the hills are a little less rugged that many other parts of the dales but are no less enjoyable, with exceptional views across the moors and fells.

Many visitors head to the banks of the River Wharfe nearby because they provide an ideal place to laze or enjoy a picnic.

Walkers heading east from the village you may come to Trollers Gill, a beautiful but eerie limestone gorge that got its name because locals used to believe that vicious trolls inhabited it. These trolls would lay in waiting for any people who dared to pass through the ravine so that they could drop boulders onto their heads.

Of course, this is merely an old myth and there is absolutely no reason why you should not talk a scenic walk through the area.

A little further east is Parcevall Hall, a wonderful manor house with gardens that are filled with colourful and rare flowers. It is the only garden to be endorsed by The Royal Horticultural Society in the whole of the dales and is open to the public between April and October.

A major attraction to the south of Hartlington is Bolton Abbey. Constructed during the 12^th century, this stunning monastery is as striking as ever despite much of it falling into ruins after the English Reformation of 1540.

The Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert which stands alongside the abbey remains intact and is a great place to visit thanks to its beautiful stained-glass windows and historic wall paintings.

Burnsall Fell, the large hill that overlooks much of Hartlington, also has a claim to fame and it hosts what is believed to be the longest running fell race in the whole of England.