Idyllic and breathtaking, the Yorkshire Dales is one of the most popular
and well-known National Parks not only in Britain, but throughout the
world. Designated a National Park in 1954, it attracts millions of
visitors each year who are lured there by the spectacular scenery with
its hills and valleys. Then there are historic towns such as Skipton,
Settle, Ripon, Richmond, and Hawes. Its landscapes are famous and
rewarding whilst picturesque chocolate box villages are untouched from a
bygone era and yield a life full of character. But there is more to the
Dales than meets the eye. With 841 square miles of beauty and things to
do it's full of hidden gems that show a glimpse of its lesser-known
heritage. In Secret Yorkshire Dales, author Mike Appleton takes you an
enlightening and entertaining journey through the Park's past, delving
beneath the surface--and sometimes well below--to uncover its secrets.
You'll discover a network of passages that have shaped the landscape
above it, learn why the clack of needles was to be feared and hear folk
tales from years past. You'll also find out about hidden kilns and
mines, discover why a village had to drive spike through a heart of a
dead man and tread along long-forgotten routes and pathways. Then there
are the secret inns, meeting places, notable folk, the intriguing
cottage industries and much more that make this area special. Secret
Yorkshire Dales reveals the hidden history of this National Park and
ensures you'll never see it in the same light again!
