The ever-changing seasons ensure that Littondale has something to offer whenever you come…..
In the Spring, the lanes and fields are a mass of wild flowers; in the Summer the sheep graze in the meadows and a great variety of birds can be seen.
Autumn brings rich, deep colours to the trees and the moorland heather which provides cover for the many grouse and pheasant.
Not to be outdone, Winter landscapes are some of the most stunning of the year!
Several circular walks cross the top of the Littondale fells into Upper Wharfedale, taking in the villages of Kettlewell, Starbotton, Buckden, Hubberholme and Yockenthwaite with a number of interesting Yorkshire Dales pubs for a lunchtime pie and pint!
The beautiful waterfalls at Cray are within a good days walk, best viewed after heavy rainfall. The fantastic scenery of Malham Cove, Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar are also within walking/cycling distance of Park Bottom.
If you fancy seeing/experiencing the Dales in a uniquely and exhilarating way then why not treat yourself to a Yorkshire Trike Tour. Chauffeur driven on board a ‘Billy Connolly’ style motor trike.
Littondale is part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s Dark Sky Reserve. The National Park was designated a Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark Sky Association in December 2020 due to its superb dark sky. There are large areas of the National Park completely free from local light pollution, such as street lights.
The Yorkshire Dales has some of the UK’s starriest skies and is the biggest reserve in the UK.
In the Dales you can see thousands of stars overhead compared with a handful seen from towns and cities. On a clear night you can 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.
The best time to view the dark skies in all their glory are between September and May when the nights are longer and therefore darker. Spring is best for viewing planets; Autumn for the Milky Way & shooting stars and Winter for star clusters & constellations.
Littondale’s dark skies are also brilliant for nocturnal wildlife with Owls, Bats, Moths, Hedgehogs etc. frequently seen.
Littondale in particular has very dark skies, getting darker the further you venture up the Dale as there is very little light pollution. This makes Littondale a fantastic place to start your stargazing adventure.
You can view the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s Stargazing leaflet for top tips on viewing at night, what to look for and when.
Grassington is a picturesque 9 mile drive/cycle away with its lovely Dales village feeling, quirky shops, stone buildings and bustling tearooms and pubs. The famous Dickensian Festival runs for 3 weekends in December, the renowned Grassington Festival in June and the 1940’s Festival in September; all are very popular and well worth visiting.
