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Gateway to upper Ribblesdale, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a place of lovely scenery and rich wildlife habitats.

Settle Town Park © TAB

Settle has a market charter dating back to 1249 and the old town area retains much of its original character. A multitude of small courts and alleyways run from the handsome market square, leading past many fine merchants' houses of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The town also has several Grade II listed buildings, some dating back to the 17th-c. One building of great interest is the Museum of North Craven Life, located in Chapel Street; originally built by local lawyer Richard Preston in 1679. Victoria Hall, in Kirkgate, is England's oldest surviving musical hall and still provides a running programme of cultural and community events.

Settle is an excellent centre for walks. Among the best is the 2 hour walk to Victoria Cave, discovered on the day Queen Victoria came to the throne (20/6/1837). Among the many other attractions within hiking distance are: Scaleber Force, Stainforth Force, Attermire Scar, Warrendale Knotts and Castleberg Crag, located along the route of the Settle to Carlisle railway line.

The Pennine Bridleway, the Ribble way and Wainwright's Pennine Journey all pass through the town. The local section of the Ribble Way, along the river to the west of the town, is particularly beautiful and suitable for wheelchairs and push chairs. The river is a known haunt for salmon, kingfisher and herons. There are also several popular cycle routes in the area.

The town centre contains many quaint old shops and a bustling market meets every Tuesday in the historic market place and also at the Victoria hall. Settle is a great place to stay and is well served by hotels, guest houses, campsites and caravan Parks.

Places of interest to visit in Settle

The Museum of North Craven Life

Housed in a very impressive stone building with finely carved stone window lintels, known as The Folly. Displays a range of temporary and permanent exhibitions covering aspects of North Craven life, plus new seasonal exhibitions each year.

Opening times: Easter to October, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun & BH 12.30 to 4.30, Tue, 10.30 to 4.30
Small Admission Charge
Location: Settle, BD24 9EY - Website
Facilities: Wheelchair access to ground and 1st floors.

Settle to Carlisle Heritage Railway

From Settle station you can take a trip on one of the world's greatest train journeys. Magnificent steam engines still pull historic carriages across this 72 mile route, through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Yorkshire dales. Travelling through the three peaks, over the Ribblehead viaduct, then plunging into the long tunnel at Blea Moor, and on through to the highest mainline station in England at Dent. Following which, the line passes through the rolling hills of the beautiful Eden Valley to the borders of Carlisle. A great family day out.

Regular scheduled service, part of the National Rail Network, see Website for details
Image Credit: 1899441 (CC0)

Scaleber Force

At Scaleber (about 2 miles east of Settle on High Hill Lane), Stockdale Beck cascades down a steep little wooded ravine to form a foaming white torrent of water. A footpath leads from a stile on the right-hand side, just before the bridge. The waterfall is about 50 metres down the path.

Map of Settle

North East England

Towns and Villages in Yorkshire

Attractions in Yorkshire