After another successful summer season, Autumn is definitely on its way and we’re already looking ahead towards Christmas and into 2023! There’s always plenty to do and see in the Dales all year round, so whether you’re looking to visit as a couple or as a family, in the Winter or Summer - there’s always something to keep you entertained. Take a look below at what’s on in the local area over the next 12 months.
Autumn
September
While we love the hustle and bustle of summer in the Dales, along with the warm weather, blue skies, and Autumn brings another lovely feel to the Dales. It’s the perfect time to explore the area surrounding us. Footpaths are a lot quieter than they are throughout the summer months and the Richmond Walking and Book Festival offers a brilliant mix of daytime walks and evening talks to inspire you.
October
We know not everyone enjoys putting on their walking boots and heading for the hills, and there’s plenty to do if that sounds like you! Many of the local attractions are a lot quieter throughout the Autumn and Winter, so it’s a great time to pay those a visit. The Forbidden Corner do a fantastic job of Halloween events to entertain (or terrify!) all the family.
November
As the weather gets chillier and the evenings darker, it’s time to get cosy and maybe a little bit festive! The York Christmas markets are only around an hour's drive away, and make for a brilliant day out. Lots of little alpine chalets line the streets and are filled with quirky small businesses, selling yummy goodies and fantastic gifts for you to browse. Then, retreat back to our cosy pods with underfloor heating and snuggle up after a day of retail therapy.
Winter
December
If you’re visiting the Dales in December, be sure to take a ride on the Polar Express! Wensleydale Railway host an excitingly festive experience like no other every Christmas season, recreating the magic of the 2004 film and immersing the whole family into the story of the classic children’s tale! There are still some tickets left to book for 2022, and tickets for 2023 will be released in Spring.
January
We know how hectic December can be, so after the festive haze of Christmas January is the perfect time to relax and reset - and simply do nothing! Come and wind down in one of our hot tubs, snuggle up with a blanket and just enjoy the view with a brew or take advantage of our free-to-borrow DVD collection. If you’re keen to keep busy, you could catch the final dates of the Georgian Theatre Royals’ Pantomime over in Richmond. Running until 8th January, this year’s performance is the fantastic tale of Pinocchio!
February
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a romantic break, and what better place to head to with your loved one than the Dales? The unspoilt scenery is the perfect backdrop for a couple’s getaway, and our pods are perfectly cosy to head back to on an evening. If you’re planning a special occasion (or to ask a special question!), let us know and we can help to make your stay at Wensleydale Glamping extra special.
Spring
March
As Spring approaches, lots of our local attractions start to reopen after being closed for the Winter. One of our absolute favourites, (and one you can actually see from our pods!) is Bolton Castle. As well as the castle which is steeped in history, there are stunning country gardens to explore, falconry displays to enjoy, and a tea room serving deliciously tempting treats.
April
April can be gorgeous in the Dales, with lambs in the fields, so many colours starting to pop up, and lots of pretty spring flowers. April also brings Easter, which means two weeks off school for the kids! We know it’s hard to keep them occupied for so long, so with plenty of open spaces and an adventure playground, Thorpe Perrow is a great place for them to let off steam. You can also stroll in the Arboretum, enjoy the wonderful Bird of Prey displays, and hand feed the wallabies - it’s a fantastic day out.
May
One of the most famous events in the Dales, and one certainly worth making a visit to, is the Swaledale Festival. It’s an annual festival of music and arts based in the three most northerly Yorkshire Dales - Swaledale, Wensleydale and Arkengarthdale - running from Saturday 27th May to Saturday 10th June. With venues ranging from tiny chapels seating fewer than fifty people to stunning heritage sites such as Gayle Mill near Hawes, the programme includes music concerts, dance, comedy, workshops, children's events, and more. There are usually a few surprises too!
Summer
June
One of the many beauties of the Yorkshire Dales is its wildlife, and early summer sees the wildflower meadows in their glory. Just over in Swaledale, Muker and the surrounding area is one of the best places to see the meadows from a public footbath, and some of these are protected as part of the Muker meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Northern Pennine Dales Meadows Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The best time to visit a meadow is in June, and there’s a nice walk with a flagged footpath from the village of Muker which takes you right through the middle of these stunning habitats.
July
If you’re looking to get a taste of the local agriculture and farming beyond our glamping site, there are many fantastic country shows to enjoy! From June to September, you’ll find plenty of agriculture and country shows across Yorkshire to keep you busy, from smaller, quaint village shows to the spectacles that are the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival and the Great Yorkshire Show.
August
Speaking of country shows, one of our favourites has to be The Wensleydale Show! Held in Leyburn, just a short drive from our pods, the show makes for a brilliant day out. The Show features an extensive range of classes to compete in, as well as plenty of fun and entertaining attractions, trade stands and a brilliant beer tent.
As you can tell, there’s always a bumper calendar of events that you can join in with in and around the Dales, and what better place to make your base camp than one of our Wensleydale Glamping pods? If you’re looking to escape to a little corner of the Dales we’d love to have you, book your 2023 stay with us now!