Although many people used to opt for cheap overseas breaks in today’s competitive holiday marketplace, the falling value of sterling has increased the attraction of the staycation in the United Kingdom and many more holidaymakers from abroad are joining us After all, if we had a slightly more attractive climate, many Britons would see little need to travel for hours on end to a foreign land in search of rest and recuperation. We do, after all, have a decent economy here at home, as well as a stunning landscape (if you look in the right places), and incredible cities that are just begging to be explored. What we also have in abundance are vast expanses of outstanding natural beauty – namely in the form of our 15 National Parks and AONBs.
The UK’s National Parks are spread across England, Scotland and Wales, and are marketed as the country’s ‘breathing spaces’, due to their quaint, unspoiled nature and acres of flourishing greenery. The parks really are a world away from our densely populated cities, and provide a perfect escape route from the urban lifestyle that so many of us live on a daily basis. That’s why cottage holidays in the National Parks have been booming in recent years. But while they may be a world away from our major cities in terms of surroundings, they certainly aren’t a world away in terms of geography, which only serves to increase their allure. Most National Parks are just a short drive from a major city, and that’s certainly the case with the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which is easily accessible via one of the UK’s largest and most vibrant cities: Leeds.
Come for a holiday to the Yorkshire Dales National Park
The close proximity of Leeds to areas of the Yorkshire Dales National Park makes a holiday in the area an interesting proposition. The ability to take a deserved countryside break, but still be within reach of the nightlife and shopping opportunities offered by a large city, is actually rather unique. Not that you’d want to leave the Yorkshire Dales if you were holidaying there, mind you. Receiving its National Park status – and in turn government backing – as far back as 1952, the Yorkshire Dales is a stunning uplands area of the Pennines in northern England, located more specifically in the historic county of, you guessed it, Yorkshire. And the area is incredibly beautiful, which is the reason people have been frequenting the National Park for decades now.
In fact, there probably isn’t a more relaxing, yet fulfilling holiday you could take in the UK than a country break in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. And the best way to experience it is no doubt by setting up base in your very own private self-catering cottage, from where you can explore the areas valleys, hills, towns and villages, before returning for a cosy evening in with your loved ones. The real beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park lies not only with its stunning landscape, but also with the fact that there is so much to see and do in the area, making it an ideal destination for couples, friendship groups and families alike. Find out more about holidays in the Yorkshire Dales and the individual dales.
Self-catering holiday cottages in the Yorkshire Dales
View holiday cottages in the Yorkshire Dales
The park is hugely popular with hikers, for example, thanks to its stunning, but often challenging, walking routes. The same can be said of its cycle paths, which themselves attract keen cyclists (especially mountain bikers) from across the country. So popular is the area with outdoor-types in fact, that most of the self-catering cottage accommodation available is designed – and improved – with them (you?) in mind. This means you can now easily source a cottage rental that has bicycles included in its price, for instance, or a property that will allow you to bring three or four dogs along for the ride (although this could potentially add a little to your bill!). Unearthing such properties isn’t hard work either, as online search tools now allow you to specify pretty much everything you would like in your dream property. And that doesn’t stop with cycle rentals and pet-friendly accommodation, either. If you want a barbecue in the garden, for example, many websites will let you check a box for that parameter and search freely. The same goes for luxuries like Wi-Fi, a power shower and even – if you’re feeling adventurous – a hot tub in the garden.
With this in mind, it’s perhaps little wonder that the self-catering cottage holiday in the countryside has made a big comeback of late. Long gone are the days of flicking endlessly through brochures and phoning property owners to check availability. Now, thanks to the age of the internet, power lies with the consumer, which makes embarking on a cottage break in a location like the Yorkshire Dales National Park easier, cheaper and better than ever.
