The Art House

Arncliffe is in an established conservation area within the idyllic location of Littondale with a charming village green surrounded by traditional stone-built cottages and farm buildings. Just a couple of paces from the cottage is The Falcon Inn, which was once the famous Woolpack pub that featured in Emmerdale, and where beer is still served in jugs direct from the cask.

This area of Littondale is teaming with traditional Dales’ pubs and cafes as well as deli's, Michelin star fine dining restaurants and award-winning butchers. It is the perfect location for people who love the great outdoors with a plethora of stunning walks accessed right from the doorstep of The Art House.

Situated just 8 miles north of Arncliffe is Grassington recognised as ‘The Beating Heart of the Yorkshire Dales’. Bustling with art galleries, crafts and open studios as well as friendly cafés, and restaurants which are all set against a backdrop of the beautiful rolling hills. 

Less than half an hour’s drive and you can be in the wonderful market town of Skipton which is home to many excellent pubs, restaurants and shops as well as the lively market which is held weekly. Why not explore the 900-year-old perfectly preserved Medieval castle or take a trip on a narrowboat down the Thanet canal?

Also within a short driving distance is the dramatic Yorkshire town of Settle, which is located at the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is surrounded by dramatic peaks like Pen-y-Ghent and waterfalls such as Stainforth Force. Here you you can take a ride on the Settle & Carlisle railway line, which is England's most scenic railway, as it wends its way through the dramatic landscape of the National Park and enjoy the panoramas of rolling hills, lush green valleys and stone-built barns dotted around the edges of the moorland.

Arncliffe and the surrounding area provide walks for people of all abilities from a 15-minute lap of the village to the Yorkshire Three Peaks and everything in between. Proudly boasting Pen-Y-Ghent at its head, Littondale offers mountain peaks, beautiful river valleys, attractive villages with country inns, ruined abbeys and some of the finest limestone scenery in the UK. The National Park is a centre for potholing and caving, has mountain bike routes and offers plenty of opportunity to study its rich wildlife.

Trout fishing is a popular pastime in the Arncliffe area. The river Skirfare boasts some of the most idyllic places in the country to cast a line for brown trout, grayling and coarse fish. There are also opportunities for less experienced anglers at Kilnsey Park Estate, just 10 minutes’ drive from The Art House, at their springwater-fed family fun lakes.

Don’t worry if fishing is not for you as Kilnsey Park offers so much more with a reserve of wildflowers, red squirrel enclosure, butterfly gardens, farm animals and children’s play area. Alternatively, just relax in the Café by the Lake and just take in the stunning views of Upper Wharfedale, Great Whernside and the towering Crag which inspired painter JMW Turner whilst indulging in the unique pink fish & chips.

Go stargazing at Buckden, an official dark sky location, where the human eye can see approximately 2,500 stars without any visual aid, this compared to perhaps only 100 from a town or city. A superb dark sky is one of the things that make the Yorkshire Dales National Park so special. With large areas completely free from local light pollution, it’s a fantastic place to start your stargazing adventure. On a clear night you could see as many as 2,000 stars. In most places it is possible to see the Milky Way as well as the planets, meteors – and not forgetting the Moon. You might even catch the Northern Lights when activity and conditions are right, as well as the International Space Station travelling at 17,000mph overhead.

Half an hour from Arncliffe and you can be in the beautiful setting of Bolton Abbey beside the River Wharfe, which is one of the most visited monastic sites in Yorkshire. The Augustinian priory was founded in 1154 and continued until the dissolution in 1539. There is an extensive network of footpaths around the estate where you can try and navigate the 60 steppingstones across the River Wharfe!

The charming market town of Skipton is just 15 miles south of Arncliffe and, as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, is endlessly rich both in history and outstanding natural beauty. With its famous 900 year old castle, romantic ruined priory and historic cobbled High Street, Skipton offers visitors endless options for a day trip. The Leeds-Liverpool Canal, the longest in the UK, runs through the town and here you can enjoy a serene boat trip, passing the occasional duck, and enjoying the stunning Yorkshire countryside as it rolls by.

For shopping, museums, theatre and galleries, you can’t do better than an excursion to the handsome spa town of Harrogate, which is under an hour away from The Art House. With thriving streets crammed with eateries and shops and an eclectic cultural scene it surely has something for everyone. Famous for its cream teas, Turkish baths, and plentiful spas, it's not surprising that everyone from Charles Dickens to European royalty have all flocked to Harrogate to enjoy the waters.

C&C experiences

We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.

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Walking in the Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is the home of the three peaks and mile upon mile of picturesque footpaths, alongside outstanding scenery, unspoilt countryside, diverse wildlife habitats and a rich cultural heritage.

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