Under open skies

Dales Rail Trails - Accommodation & Resources

Accommodation, Resources and Links are shown here for the area covered by the book. Inclusion is not a recommendation. The listing isn't exhaustive - if you want anything adding, please get in touch.

The Settle-Carlisle Line runs from Leeds to Carlisle. Timetables are updated twice a year. Both Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line (FoSCL) and Friends of DalesRail (FDR) run regular free guided walks from stations along the line. The line is also the venue for ride2stride - the Settle-Carlisle Walking Festival. Dalesbus services link to other dales villages.

Much of the area covered by the book falls within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Tourist Information for other areas along the line can be found for Leeds, Skipton, Sedbergh, Appleby and Carlisle.

Section One: Settle & the South West

Settle

Settle is an attractive little market town with plenty of accommodation, shops and food. On a Tuesday there’s a lively market in the town square. You may like to visit the Museum of North Craven Life in the Folly, or Settle Station where the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle line have restored the old signal box (open Saturdays or by arrangement).

Falcon Manor Hotel	Skipton Road, Settle	BD24 9BD 01729 823814	Hotel on outskirts of Settle. Dogs by arrangement.
The Golden Lion	Duke Street, Settle	BD24 9DU 01729 822203	Hotel in Settle market place. Dogs by arrangement.
The Royal Oak	Market Street, Settle	BD24 9ED 01729 822561	Popular Pub in centre of Settle with 7 en suite rooms.
The Oast Guest House	Pen-y-ghent View, Settle	BD24 9JJ 01729 822989	Guest House in Settle.
King William the Fourth Guest House	High Street, Settle	BD24 9EX 01729 825994	Guest House in former pub in centre of Settle.
Settle Lodge Guest House	Duke Street, Settle	BD24 9AS 01729 823258	Guest House close to the centre of Settle.
Langcliffe Park	Settle	BD24 9LX 01729 822387	Campsite one mile from Settle.

Giggleswick

Giggleswick is a small village across the river from Settle. Giggleswick Station is a mile from the village. Most famous for its public school with its copper-domed chapel.

The Harts Head Inn	Giggleswick	BD24 0BA 07703 559325	Village Inn in centre of Giggleswick
Belle Hill Cottage	Giggleswick	BD24 0BA 07703 559325	Two-bedroomed cttage sleeps 4/6. 50 metres from harts Head Inn. meals can be taken at the inn.
The Craven Arms	Brackenber Lane, Giggleswick	BD24 0EA 01729 825627	Newly restored hotel 100 yards from Giggleswick railway station.

Clapham

Clapham is beautiful little village with shops and restaurants and the nearby Ingleborough Show Cave. Ingleborough Hall, former home of the Farrer family, is now an outdoor education centre. Clapham Station is just over a mile south-west of the village it serves.

New Inn	Clapham	LA2 8HH 015242 51824	18th Century Coaching Inn in village centre. Dogs welcome.
Brook House Guest House	Station Road, Clapham	LA2 8ER 015242 51580	4-star guesthouse by Clapham Beck. Welcomes walkers & cyclists.
Clapham Bunkhouse	The Old manor House, Clapham	LA2 8EQ 015242 51144	Bunkhouse with Cafe bar. Dogs by arrangement.
Lower Barn, Cold Cotes	Cold Cotes, Clapham	LA2 8HZ 015242 41310	2 self-catering studio apartments for 2 to 4 people, available by the night . 3 miles from Ingleton, 6 miles from The Hill Inn, lift available by arrangement.

Feizor

Watch out for Elaine's famous farmhouse tea shop where you’ll get the best mug of milky coffee you’ll find on the whole area.

Austwick

Austwick is a small prosperous village between Clapham and Settle.

The Traddock Hotel	Austwick	LA2 8BY 015242 51244	Country House Hotel in Austwick village.
Wood View	The Green, Austwick	LA2 8BB 015242 51190	B&B in the centre of Austwick. Dogs by arrangement.
Dalesbridge Centre	Austwick	LA2 8AZ 015242 51021	B&B, self catering, bunkhouse and camping for groups and individuals. green Tourism Gold Award.

Stainforth

Stainforth Force is a series of lovely waterfalls where in October you can watch salmon leaping. There’s a campsite near the river and a few minutes walk away in the village of Stainforth a pub that does food and bed and breakfast.

Craven Heifer	Stainforth	BD24 9PB 01729 822599	Village pub in Stainforth. Tel 01729 822599. Dogs by arrangement.
Knight Stainforth Hall	Little Stainforth	BD24 0DP 01729 822200	Campsite on route near Stainforth Force.

Helwith Bridge

A former quarrying hamlet, it is served by the Helwith Bridge Inn, where occasional camping may be available - contact the pub for details..

Section Two: The Three Peaks

Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Horton-in-Ribblesdale, with its fine railway station, is a popular base for walkers and the village has a campsite, bunkbarn and two pubs as well as Bed and Breakfast accommodation. Pen-y-ghent Cafe in the centre of the village is the traditional starting point for the Three Peaks Challenge Walk and the many walkers taking part in challenges can put accommodation in the village under pressure, especially at weekends in summer. There is now a downloadable smartphone app available, produced by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

The Crown Hotel	Horton-in-Ribblesdale	BD24 0HF 01729 860209	Pub with 10 rooms
The Golden Lion Hotel	Horton-in-Ribblesdale	BD24 0HB 01729 860206	Pub with rooms and a bunk room with 15 bunks
Broad Croft House	Horton-in-Ribblesdale	BD24 0EX 01729 860302	4 star B&B with 3 en-suite rooms
Holme Farm Campsite	Horton-in-Ribblesdale	BD24 0HD 01729 860281	Campsite in village

Ribblehead

The railway station by Ribblehead Viaduct is very isolated, but a popular spot for walkers.

Station Inn	Ribblehead	LA6 3AS 01524 241274	Pub on alternative route. Five rooms plus lots of bunkhouse accommodation and tradition of wild camping at the back.
Gauber Bunk Barn	Nr. Ribblehead	LA6 3JF 01524 241150	Sleeps up to 12 in 3 bunkrooms. 1 family room en suite. Linen and self service breakfast available. Dogs by arrangement.

Chapel-le-Dale

Just down the road from Ribblehead is the tiny hamlet of Chapel-le-Dale, best known for St. Leonard’s Church where navvies and their families who died building the Settle-Carlisle railway line are buried. There are now a few b&b's in or near the hamlet. The Old Hill Inn has two letting bedrooms and is a splendid traditional pub with a reputation for good food.

Old Hill Inn	Chapel-le-Dale	LA6 3AR 01524 241256	Pub on route. Two rooms. No single night bookings on Fridays or Saturdays. Dogs by arrangement.
Croft Gate	Chapel-le-Dale	LA6 3JG 01524 242664	4-Star, Gold with a Breakfast Award winning B&B on route. En-suite accommodation. Usually no single nights in high season. No pets.
Broadrake Bunkbarn	Chapel-le-Dale	LA6 3AX 015242 41357	Good quality bunkbarn accommodation directly on route with 2twin rooms, 24 beds and 1*8 bedded room in a recently renovated barn.
Dale House Farm	Chapel-le-Dale	LA6 3AP 01524 241211	Farm B&B. 1.4 miles SW of Chapel-le-Dale. Home reared breakfast. Double/Twin/Family room. Dogs by prior arrangement.
Philpin Farm Campsite	Chapel-le-Dale	LA6 3FH 01524 241846/ 07785244970	Campsite on the Three Peaks route between Whernside and Ingleborough.

Section Three: Dentdale & Garsdale

Cowgill

Dent Station, the highest mainline station in England, is 4½ miles from Dent village, in the parish of Cowgill in Upper Dentdale.

Sportsmans Inn	Cowgill, Dentdale	LA10 5RG 015396 25282	Country pub at the top of Dentdale.
Ewegales Farm Campsite	Cowgill, Dentdale	LA10 5RH 015396 25440	Basic campsite at top of Dentdale.

Dent

Dent is a beautiful village with a cobbled main street in one of the loveliest of all of the Dales. There are two pubs, b&bs, camping, cafes and shops in the village. The Heritage Centre is packed with exhibits and information about life in the dale and is well worth a visit. Dent’s a lively village with a lot going on - events like Dentdale Show and the Dentdale Music and Beer Festival but don’t forget there will be pressure on accommodation at these times.

George and Dragon	Main Street, Dent	LA10 5QL 015396 25256	Hotel and pub in the centre of Dent. Dogs by arrangement.
The Sun Inn	Main Street, Dent	LA10 5QL 015396 25208	Pub in the centre of Dent.
Stone Close	Main Street, Dent	LA10 5QL 015396 25231	Guest House and Tea Room in the centre of Dent.
High Laning Camp Site	Dent	LA10 5JQ 015396 25239	Camp site in village.
Conder Farm Camp Site	Deepdale Road, Dent	LA10 5QT 015396 25277	Camp site in village.

Garsdale

Garsdale is not a village but a valley. There are a cluster of houses around the railway station at Garsdale Head, formerly known as Hawes Junction. as it linked with the former Wensleydale line, now being restored by the Wensleydale Railway Association.

Moorcock Inn	Garsdale Head	LA10 5PU 01969 667488	B&B and licenced tea shop at the head of Wensleydale
The Old Joinery	Garsdale	LA10 5PJ 015396 20109	B&B in Garsdale. Dogs by arrangement.
The Garsdale	Garsdale Head	LA10 5PU 01969 667096	Licensed B&B at Garsdale Head. Free taxi service to and from Garsdale Station.
Low Branthwaites	Frostrow, Sedbergh	LA10 5JR 015396 34010	A two double/twin bedroom apartment in 17th century Dales farmhouse set on fell side 2 miles outside of Sedbergh. Breakfast, packed lunch with power snacks and transport to and from walking trails available.

Hawes

Hawes is the highest market town in the Dales, with plenty of shops, cafes, pubs and accommodation. Market day is Tuesday. Hawes is the home of the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes Ropemakers and the Wensleydale Creamery where the cheese is made.

Herriot's Guest House	Hawes	DL8 3QW 01969 667536	Guest House in the centre of Hawes.
Loxley House	Hawes	DL8 3QR 01969 666964	B&B in the town centre.
Cockett's Hotel	Hawes	DL8 3RD 01969 667162	Hotel in the centre of Hawes.

Section Four: Kirkby Stephen & Mallerstang

Nateby

A small farming village on the outskirts of Kirkby Stephen, a mile from the railway station.

The Nateby Inn

Nateby

CA17 4JP
017683 71588

Country pub one mile from Kirkby Stephen, formerly the Black Bull.

Kirkby Stephen

Kirkby Stephen is a Walkers are Welcome town and has all the facilities a walker could need, including banks, shops, cafes and pubs. The railway station is 1½ miles from the town centre. The former Stainmore Railway Station is now being restored, and much of the old railway trackbed is open to walkers, courtesy of the Northern Viaducts Trust and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust .

Croglin Castle Hotel	South Rd., Kirkby Stephen	CA17 4SY 017683 71389	Nearest pub to station (1 mile away), opposite campsite, currently closed.
The Black Bull Hotel	Market St., Kirkby Stephen	CA17 4QWE 017683 71237	Pub in the centre of Kirkby Stephen. Dogs by arrangement.
The Old Croft House	Market St., Kirkby Stephen	CA17 4QW 017683 71638	B&B in the centre of Kirkby Stephen.
The Jolly Farmers	High St., Kirkby Stephen	CA17 4SH 017683 71063	B&B in former Coaching inn.
Pennine View Caravan Park	Station Rd., Kirkby Stephen	CA17 4SZ 017683 71717	Camping between Kirkby Stephen and the railway station.

Long Distance Trails

The Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) list over 700 long distance trails, including several which pass through the area covered by this book. These include:

The Dales Way - 78 miles from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere (see LDWA entry).

A Dales High Way - 90 miles from Saltaire to Appleby-in-Westmoreland (see LDWA entry).

A Coast to Coast Walk - 183 miles from St, Bees to robin Hoods Bay (see LDWA entry).

The Pennine Way - 268 miles from Edale to Kirk Yeltholm (see LDWA entry); or the easier Mid Pennine Way - 165 miles from Hebden Bridge to Hadrian's Wall.

The Pennine Bridleway - eventually 347 miles from Middleton Top to Byrness (see LDWA entry).

The Ribble Way - 65 miles from Longton to Gayle Moor (see LDWA entry).

Lady Annes Way - 100 miles from Skipton to Penrith (see LDWA entry).

The Settle to Carlisle Way - 97 miles from Settle to Carlisle (see LDWA entry).

A Pennine Journey - 247 miles Settle circular via Hadrians Wall (see LDWA entry).

The Yoredale Way - 100 miles from York to Kirkby Stephen (see LDWA entry).

The Six Peaks Trail - 48 miles from Settle to Kirkby Stephen (see LDWA entry)..