Sitting in a glacial valley surrounded by vast farmland is an area that offers tranquillity and a true sense of England’s countryside with historic villages and walking trails
It’s a paradise for walkers and cyclists (Image: Philip Silverman via Getty Images)
For those seeking a sense of peace and tranquillity, this glacial valley, encircled by expansive farmland, delivers precisely that – an authentic taste of England’s rural heartland.
Littondale is a small and peaceful dale in Yorkshire, nestled in a classic u-shape, with deep historical roots and a flavour of country living from a bygone era.
Visitors to the dale experience a feeling that time has stood still, as its hamlets and way of life remain quintessentially English in every respect.
Indeed, archaeologists have discovered numerous prehistoric and later settlements that once inhabited the length of the valley. Their extensive findings also showed that throughout the mediaeval period the dale was predominantly managed by several monastic houses.
The dale now consists of several settlements, including Hawkswick, Arncliffe and Litton. Each is characterised by farmhouses dating back to the 17th century.
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Contributing to its peaceful atmosphere is the stunning river which famously winds through the valley before eventually merging with the larger River Wharfe.
Shallow yet flowing with remarkably clear waters, the River Skirfare meanders through the farmlands and valley floor, vanishing for portions of the year.
As seasonal conditions shift, the stream trickles away and disappears beneath the ground, near Litton, revealing an unusual limestone landscape below.
Arncliffe
Arncliffe stands as one of the principal villages in the region, and despite its compact size, it boasts considerable fame. Recognised by countless households across Britain, it served as the original backdrop and filming location for the much-loved soap Emmerdale Farm.
The village pub, called the Falcon, was even featured as the Woolpack Inn. The traditional inn, according to visitor feedback, has seen better days.
However, one guest commented on TripAdvisor: “We had read about this tiny pub. It had been featured on the TV soap Emmerdale many moons ago, and it did not disappoint! The landlord was straight out of central casting.”
The area still comprises the most enchanting stone cottages, alongside a delightful church, the Church of St Oswald. Constructed sometime between the 16th and 18th centuries, the building remains a listed structure, believed to have been developed from an original Saxon place of worship.
Positioned at the centre of the village, the church continues to attract curious visitors and was once a location regularly visited by the renowned poet and novelist Charles Kingsley.
His time there during the Victorian period was believed to have influenced his celebrated children’s story, The Water Babies, penned in 1873.
Walking
Many people choose to treat the area as a base for rambling, parking in one of its villages and tackling the Yorkshire Dales terrain. Most of these trails are circular, returning you directly to your starting point, whilst exploring the valleys and peaks en route.
The Littondale to Kettlewell walk is a well-loved route, starting in the village of Arncliffe, leading you across the shoulder of Birks in Kettlewell, where you can pause for refreshments, before returning into Littondale.
Alternatively, some choose the slightly over five-mile walk that takes you from Arncliffe to Litton and loops back round.
The two-hour ramble provides a leisurely countryside stroll as you soak up the picturesque beauty of Yorkshire, with the chance to make a stop, or two, at the charming village pubs.
