"WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE A WALKER"!

Welcome to the Yorkshire Dales

It will be a leisurely start this morning, time to drink in your new surroundings and enjoy a hearty Yorkshire breakfast before we check out of the hotel, lace up our walking boots and head off for a walk to nearby Malham Cove, a huge curving amphitheatre of limestone rock where glacial meltwater once thundered into the valley below. This is a popular, and well-trodden path, so we will take time to get to know each other and settle into our stride, getting a feel for how we will walk together as a group, and stopping frequently to savor our first taste of this dramatic landscape, and the flirtatious, oh-so English weather that will accompany us every step of our way. Will the weather gods be kind to us? We can certainly hope so, but we will learn to be prepared with gear for all four of the seasons that may choose to tease us on our walks each day. 

We will head back down to Malham village for lunch before hopping on to our coach for an hour long drive through stunning Dales scenery to the Wensleydale town of Hawes, and our nearby countryside retreat hotel that will be our home for the next four nights. 

Walk length: 4-5 miles

Elevation gain: 500’-600’

A DAY TO KNIT WITH MARIE WALLIN

Are you ready to knit? After a hearty breakfast we will leave our hillside hotel for a thirty minute walk across fields to the picturesque market town of Hawes, where we will join local, acclaimed knitwear designer Marie Wallin for a fair-isle knitting workshop. We will spend the day with Marie, learning about her career as she gets us started on a simple colorwork project in subtle, Dales inspired shades, that we can continue to work on during our trip. We will enjoy a buffet lunch, leaving space for some essential Yorkshire tea and cake. Need to stretch your legs after all that knitting? We will fit in a late afternoon walk to Hardraw Force, England’s longest single drop waterfall on the nearby River Ure. We will return to Hawes later for a pub supper, before our coach picks us up for the short return journey up the hill to our hotel.

Walk length: 3.5 miles

Elevation gain: 266’

WHO WERE THOSE TERRIBLE KNITTERS? 

Yesterday was all about getting our knitting juices flowing. Today, after a nourishing breakfast at our hotel we will set out to learn more about the history of knitting in the Yorkshire Dales. We will head back into Hawes to meet with Ann Kingstone, local knitwear designer and an authority on knitting traditions of the area, for a tour of the Dales Countryside Museum, and their important collection of knitting artefacts.

We will hear all about the Terrible Knitters of Dent (now, what is that all about?!) before heading with Ann to the nearby village of Dent itself to delve into the story behind this defamatory name. Ann will accompany us on an illuminating stroll around this peaceful village in isolated Dentdale, where time appears to have stood still for centuries. 

Bidding farewell to Ann, we will then pick up a packed lunch from a local tea room and head out to explore the hills and meadows of Dentdale on foot. 

At the end of the day our coach will return us to our hotel where we can enjoy a well-earned rest, re-fuel  and then relax and knit in one of the hotel’s comfortable lounges.

Walk length: 5-7 miles

Elevation gain: 853'

WEAVERS, WALKS AND A SHEPHERDESS

Today we will be heading west to the quintessential stone-built town of Sedbergh, known locally as a walkers’ paradise! So it’s off the coach and on with our boots as we set out on foot along the river to visit nearby Farfield Mill, a historic woollen mill that now houses an arts and heritage centre, showcasing some of the very best of Dales’ craft. We will spend some time exploring the Mill and enjoy a simple lunch in the cafe before walking back to Sedbergh. 

Our coach will then take us on the short drive to visit shepherdess Alison O'Neill on her nearby hill farm. Alison will meet us with her sheepdogs, Shadow and Swift, and invite us into her barn for an inspirational talk about her experiences running a one woman farm in this challenging upland environment for the past 27 years. She will then accompany us for a walk about the farm to meet her sheep, before taking us to visit her Wool Shed, where we can view her collection of tweeds, locally woven with wool sourced from her own flock, and from those of neighboring farmers. 

At the end of another busy day we will head back into Sedbergh for supper before returning to our hotel to rest.

Walk length: 4.5 miles

Elevation gain: 427’

WALKING THE DALES WAY: KETTLEWELL TO GRASSINGTON

Today we will leave the comfort of our hotel in Hawes and head south to the delightful hamlet of Kettlewell, deep in tranquil Wharfedale. Our coach will leave us here and continue on to deliver our luggage to our hotel further down the valley. Meanwhile, we will take some time to explore the picturesque back lanes of this peaceful riverside community before collecting our packed lunches from a local cafe and heading out to walk a section of the Dales Way over the hills above Wharfedale towards Grassington, our home for the next three nights. We will have a bit of a climb out of the village today, but then if the weather is kind we will enjoy far-reaching views across limestone crags and stone wall enclosed pastures, descending gradually through a pastoral landscape into the picturesque market town made famous in recent years by the filming of TV classic All Creatures Great and Small. 

We will walk directly to our hotel, a historic pub in the very centre of town, where we will have time to rest before heading out for supper at your choice of Grassington’s many pubs and restaurants.

Walk length: 7 miles

Elevation gain: 833’

YARNDALE, SKIPTON ('sheep town' from Old Norse)

There’ll be no walking today (unless you count a not insignificant step count), but you will certainly make up for it with yarn buying! Welcome to one of the UK’s premier yarn festivals, housed in the atmospheric surroundings of Skipton Livestock Auction Mart. Rows and rows of sheep and cattle pens are converted as if by magic into a cornucopia of bunting-clad woolly loveliness, featuring many independent yarn businesses from the North of England and farther afield. 

We will spend the whole day at the festival before returning on our coach laden with goodies to the welcoming comfort of our hotel in Grassington and a well-earned pub supper.

MASHAM SHEEP FAIR

If yesterday was all about yarn, today will put the spotlight firmly on our woolly friends who work so hard growing fleeces to make all of our knitting possible. We are talking SHEEP, lots and lots of sheep of many varieties gathered in one of the largest and finest market squares of England for the annual Masham Sheep Fair. Masham originally received a market charter in 1250 and its prosperity grew off the back of the sheep trade, which originated from the flocks reared by monks at nearby abbeys. It is believed that as many as 70,000 sheep changed hands during these sales. In recent years this tradition has seen a revival, and today Masham’s Sheep Fair attracts many visitors who come to experience a full programme of activities including the annual sheep show, a showcase for famed local breeds such as Masham, Dalesbred, Swaledale, Teeswater, and Wensleydale. And if you tire of putting your sheep identification skills to the test, how about watching some sheep racing, checking out the sheepdog demonstrations, or indulging in a little retail therapy at the wool craft market?

After a sheep-filled morning, grab yourself some lunch before we drive to nearby Bolton Abbey where we will spend the afternoon exploring the ruined priory and learning more about the wealth generated by monks in medieval times from the rearing of sheep on their extensive lands. The estate has a number of walking trails to explore so we won’t be short of an opportunity to stretch our legs in this evocative riverside setting. Feeling tired? You will find tea rooms in the village keen to entice you with tempting teas, cakes and scones.

Back in Grassington at the end of the day we will walk the short distance from our hotel to the historic Devonshire pub for a hearty supper. To TV aficionados, the location is perhaps better known as the Drovers’ Arms in All Creatures Great and Small. 

Walk length: 2-4 miles

Elevation gain: 300’ +

GRASSINGTON & SHIBDEN HALL

Today we must pack our bags and bid farewell to our hotel in Grassington. But not before we fit in a morning walk along one of the many delightful walking trails that head out right from the doorstep of our hotel. If you prefer to take it easy and explore the town's independent shops, galleries, and boutiques, no problem. We will all meet up in time to board our coach and drive for a little over an hour to Shibden Hall, near Halifax.  

Originally a timber-framed medieval manor house, Shibden Hall sits amongst beautifully restored gardens and parkland, fittingly named “sheep valley” in old English. The house has been inhabited by the Lister family since the early 17th century, and from the late 18th century was the home to diarist, entrepreneur and lesbian, Ann Lister. Ann Lister’s life has recently been dramatised in the BBC drama Gentleman Jack. 

We will take time to explore the house and learn more about this remarkable woman. And last, but not least,  we will make time to hunt out a curious, but highly informative exhibit in the grounds of the hall. It may just provide answers to some of those unanswered questions that will doubtless have arisen during our walks in the Yorkshire countryside!

And so  hopefully with at least some of your questions answered, we will make the short drive to our comfortable country house hotel for the final night of our trip. You will have time to sort out your bags, squeezing in all of those squishy balls of yarn, before we gather for a farewell supper together. One final question: will you find space to squeeze in just one more dessert?

Walk length: 4-5 miles

Elevation gain: 360’

HOMEWARD BOUND

It will be an early start today as we pack up our bags and our memories and travel together in our coach to Manchester Airport for your onward journeys. We plan to arrive at the airport by 11:00am. Earliest flight departure time is 2:00pm.

How long will the walks be?

The length of our walks will vary from day to day, but expect an average of 4-8 miles per walk. We will be walking on most days.

What do you mean by the elevation gain?

The Yorkshire Dales is a landscape of rolling hills and river valleys. Whilst we are not at a great elevation above sea level, most walks will involve several climbs and descents which can amount to a significant elevation gain over a day’s walking. Walks will sometimes involve moderate ascents where you might expect to get out of breath. Elevation gain per walk will be in range of 250 - 900 feet.

What kind of paths will we be walking on?

Whilst we will sometimes be walking on country lanes, farm tracks and easily identifiable paths, the majority of our walks will also involve walking on more informal paths through rough fields, woodland, open countryside and moorland. We may also walk on stony paths and tracks which may be narrow and steep. Paths may be wet and muddy (occasionally slippery) after rain. We will encounter a variety of stiles, and livestock. None of our walks will require specific technical skills.

What about the weather?

British weather has a reputation for being changeable, and this can be particularly true in the Fall. Periods of calm, fine weather can quickly be interrupted by longer spells of wind and rain (sometimes heavy) or by low cloud, mist and fog. Average temperatures for September and October are in the range of 42 - 58 degrees Fahrenheit although it can feel colder than this in the hills. Your walking leaders will make regular weather assessments, and plans and routes may occasionally have to be changed at short notice.

Will I need any special clothing or equipment?

We will send you a recommended equipment list closer to the tour, but you will be required to wear suitable outdoor footwear for the terrain and conditions. These must be waterproof walking boots, with sturdy soles, good tread and ankle support. You will also be expected to carry an appropriate waterproof jacket (with hood) and waterproof trousers. Goretex, or similar, is ideal. Walking poles, whilst not required, are recommended. You will need a comfortable backpack large enough to carry spare clothing, your packed lunch and water/snacks for the day. 

How can I prepare for the trip?

This tour is graded as having a Mobility Comfort Level of 5+. As such, you agree that you will be very comfortable with distances, hikes and walking tours up to 6-10 miles in a day. By its very nature, walking across varied terrain in changeable weather for several hours can be strenuous. In order to enjoy your trip to the full we recommend the following:

• continue to enjoy regular walks of 6-10 miles in the lead up to the tour

• try to seek out opportunities to walk up hills

• get used to wearing the boots and carrying the backpack that you intend to use on the trip to ensure that they are comfortable.

Who will be leading our walk?

Liz is a UK qualified Hill and Moorland walking leader. Colleen is a keen walker and seasoned tour leader, with many years' experience of hiking in varied terrain, including the UK. 

THE RISKY BIT...

Walking in the countryside is an adventurous activity that carries a certain level of inherent and unavoidable risk of personal discomfort, accident or injury. Part of the attraction of hill walking is the challenge of tackling different terrains, landscapes and weather conditions. Every effort is made to minimise potential risks & hazards. The most common accident and/or injury in the outdoors include slips, trips and falls, as well as personal injury such as blisters, strained muscles, scratches & stings, sunburn, getting cold and varying degrees of personal discomfort due to weather and/or ground conditions . Of course, more serious accidents/injuries may occur due to the natural environment (steep, uneven, rocky, wet, slippery ground), personal health issues and extreme weather conditions. By taking part in this activity, you are aware of and accept these risks.

And finally...

As with all of the best laid plans, the routes that we have planned for you may be subject to change. Your walking leaders will be continually monitoring weather forecasts and local conditions and some changes may occur at short notice for your comfort and safety. During the walk, it may also become necessary to adjust our itinerary due to adverse weather conditions, pace of the group, fitness and ability levels, accidents or injuries etc. In extreme circumstances the walk may be terminated. The decision to change or terminate the walk lies solely with the Walk Leader.

If you have any questions that have not been answered here, please do let us know.

Liz lives with her family on a smallholding in the Cambrian mountains in Wales.  A keen knitter since childhood, she remembers watching her mother spin yarn from the family sheep, and she now keeps her own small flock of Shetland sheep to indulge her passion for all things woolly. Liz is also a keen hill walker, and loves to escape to her beloved mountains, seeking inspiration amongst the colours and textures of the wild upland landscape of mid-Wales. A linguist and Latin America specialist by training, Liz previously spent many years studying and travelling in southern Chile, where she was bewitched by the alchemy that rural women could perform with some roughly-spun wool and a few leaves in a dye pot over a wood fire. It was here that Liz learnt to weave, and now settled back home in Wales, she teaches weaving, whilst also running wildwoven, a woolly fair trade business, providing opportunities for rural women in Chile to supply highly-textured, hand spun yarns to discerning weavers and fibre artists. Liz is also a UK accredited Hill and Moorland Walking Leader.

Colleen is knitting multiple projects right now, spinning hand-blended fibers on her Lendrum DT, and has found it difficult but not impossible to knit and watch a South Korean show on Netflix with subtitles at the same time. She is curious about makers' stories of the lineage and evolution of their craft and where to find truly awesome pie.  Her professional background in outdoor tour guiding and small business ownership makes a great match with RTT. Colleen loves to drive a convertible, swim in natural waters and hula hoops. Does she talk to her plants? That’s what her friends want to know.