Ingleton nestles in the foothills of Ingleborough, one of Yorkshire's famous Three Peaks. The village is surrounded by magnificent limestone countryside with deep caves, spectacular waterfalls and important geological and archaeological sites. Above ground, glaciation has produced scars, erratics, limestone pavement, high cliffs and deep dry gorges. Below ground, the limestone is riddled with dramatic underground rivers and stunning potholes.
The natural features of the area provide for a host of outdoor activities, and are a magnet for walkers, climbers, cavers and potholers.
Visit White Scar Cave, Britain's longest show cave, and the Ingleton Waterfalls Walk, which takes you through wooded valleys, across the open fells and past numerous waterfalls that change almost daily as the river levels rise and fall.
Get active
Walking
Ingleton is a perfect starting point for climbing the high peaks of Ingleborough and Whernside. The fantastic limestone pavements of Twisleton Scar along the way and the superb views from the summits are well worth the effort. The ascent of Ingleborough from Ingleton via Crina Bottom Farm, is perhaps the most popular route up this hill. It's a steady climb up a long straight track, with only the last few hundred metres being really steep.
An even more impressive mountain walk from Ingleton is Whernside, which can best be accessed from the linking track from the waterfalls and from Kingsdale, following the line of the ridge to the summit. This is superb ridge walking with breathtaking views over to Ingleborough in the east and Gragareth in the west. You can choose to return to either to Ribblehead or Dent railway stations (both on the Settle Carlisle Railway line).
For shorter walks, there are a series of three walks exploring the beautiful countryside around Ingleton and Thornton which also discover the area's connection to the writer of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle.
Indoor climbing
Ingleton also houses one of the best indoor climbing walls in the region, with routes to suit all abilities. Tickets can be bought at Inglesport, the caving and climbing shop in the village.
Refreshments and relaxation
Stroll along the river bank, sit in the Millennium Garden, or visit one of the many cafés, pubs and shops. For children there is the new playground, with the popular heated outdoor swimming pool not far away. Ingleton Pottery is a small family-run business and the longest established working pottery in the Yorkshire Dales. Situated on the riverside, you can watch the potters close at hand in the show room as they produce beautiful hand-thrown stoneware.
Getting here
Buses from Kirkby Lonsdale and Settle call at Ingleborough Community Centre on most days where the Tourist Information Centre and main car park are also to be found
More information
Visit the village websites www.ingleton.co.uk or http://www.thisisingleton.co.uk/ to find out more about where to stay and what to do.
