What's special - being here

When in the Yorkshire Dales National Park people experience a range of emotions triggered by its beauty, grandeur and special qualities. These all help create the ‘spirit of place’ that is unique to the Dales.

High on the list of elements that inspire are those that excite the senses - the sounds, sights and qualities that stir the emotions - allowing people to relate to nature and enhance true enjoyment.

The National Park is a very special place to visit or live because:

• There are extensive areas where a true sense of tranquillity, remoteness and a sense of solitude can still be found, which is rare in England today. It is indeed one of Britain’s 'breathing spaces'.

• This tranquillity is enhanced by the natural sounds of wind, water and birdsong, offering ‘spiritual exercise and enjoyment’, the very thing Dower and Hobhouse referred to in their 1940s reports that laid the foundation for National Park designation in this country.

• With its open fells and numerous valleys, the Dales offers expansive views that show the area’s true beauty and variety.

• Ever-changing light, seasonal variations and occasional severe weather create visual drama and contrast that enhance the spirit of the place.

• The area is particularly special at night. Limited light pollution means the night retains darkness allowing the moon, stars, planets and atmospheric effects to sparkle.

• Fresh air, clear water and a clean environment enhance the area’s appeal for healthy exercise, refreshing the body and the spirit.

• The area is important for the range and quality of natural resources it offers for outdoor recreation and its opportunities for accessing them. In particular, its historic and extensive network of footpaths, bridleways and tracks, supplemented by extensive areas of public access, provide opportunities for quiet enjoyment.