Settle and the Three Peaks area

Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Settle is an ideal centre from which to explore the beautiful countryside full of waterfalls, caves and fells. The area is renown for its limestone scenery, overlooking settle is the imposing 300ft limestone crag, Castelberg a path leads to the top giving visitors and excellent view of Settle and the surrounding area.

The local area contains a number of interesting caves and waterfalls, Victoria cave is located in the hills above Settle; it notably contained prehistoric remains, Attemire cave is close by and numerous smaller caves. The waterfalls Scaleber foss and Caterick foss are worth seeking out. The Caves and waterfalls can all be reached by walks from Settle.

In the hills behind Settle are the fantastic shattered limestone tors called warrendale knots, leading to the impressive Attermire scar, further on the landscape changes as a fault is met and the underlying strata changes from limestone, to the gritstone Rye loaf hill. From the many vantage points on the hills can be seen Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough of three peaks fame and Pendle hill in the south.

On Tuesdays Settle market place bustles with the weekly market, which attracts a wide variety of traders. The market place was originally the venue for livestock fairs. The market place itself is surrounded by some interesting buildings. The shambles with its arches contains shops and eating establishments and is surmounted by houses along the top and beneath are a row of businesses in the vaulted cellars. Originally the shambles was a medieval butchers and slaughterhouse. Settle town hall sits where the original toll booth was located, it contains the visitor information centre.

Settle station is situated on the famous Settle-Carlisle railway line, once called the Long Drag by the steam engine drivers that battled with its gradients. The scenic journey to Carlisle is a must, but it is worth stopping at the many smaller stations en-route to walk and explore. The next station up the line is Horton in Ribblesdale a popular starting point for the arduous Three Peaks Walk.

This is followed by Ribblehead location of the famous viaduct and right in the middle of the 3 peaks area with the imposing backdrop of Ingleborough and Whernside. Next Dent station is the highest mainline station in England, it is four and a half miles down the picturesque Dentdale to the beautiful cobbled village of Dent. A larger station en-route is Appleby famous for its Castle and annual horse fair, this is followed by the serene Eden valley on the way to Carlisle.

The river Ribble flows through Settle on its way from Ribblehead to the Ribble estuary at Preston in Lancashire. The Ribble is bridged by the A65, the bridge forms the boundary with the neighboring parish of Giggleswick. Salmon can be seen in autumn ascending the many weirs and cascades. The river Ribble once powered mills for corn milling and cotton spinning. The weir at Bridge End Mill has now been installed with a Hydro Electric scheme consisting of a 50Kw reverse archimedes screw, providing electricity for the town.

Settle has its own indoor Swimming Pool, Golf Course, Bowling Green, Art Gallery, and an excellent selection of interesting Shops and Restaurants, there is a Market every Tuesday.

Also close at hand: -
   - Mountain Biking.
   - Fishing
   - Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre.
   - The Three Peaks

- Ingleton Waterfalls
- White Scar Cave
- Ingleborough Cave
- Malham Cove and Tarn