With dramatic limestone gorges, waterfalls and endless stretches of green rolling hills, the Yorkshire Dales is home to incredible scenery.
Located on the edge of the national park is the charming market town of Settle, a place that’s layered with history and surrounded by stunning landscapes.
It’s also where you’ll find some of the best Airbnb’s in the country, making it an ideal spot for a staycation.
According to experts at homedit.com, Settle is the highest rated area in the UK for Airbnb’s, beating popular destinations including The Cotswolds and the Isle of Skye.
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The area has more than 400 Airbnbs to choose from, with an average rating of 4.93 so you won’t be stuck for choice.
Around an hour and half’s drive away from Manchester, Settle gives you all the benefits of a relaxed country break away from the city without having to trek too far.
The town itself is full of independent shops and cafes, housed in beautiful stone buildings, some dating back as far as the 17th century.
It’s full of quirky places to visit too, including, the 'smallest' art gallery in the world (housed in a red telephone box) and a bakery and cafe called Ye Olde Naked Man.
For culture fans there’s the gorgeous 19th-century Victoria Hall, which has regular live music events, plays and comedy nights.
Of course, Settle is probably best known for the breath-taking Settle to Carlisle railway line, which takes in bridges, tunnels and viaducts, including the stunning Ribblehead Viaduct which passes over the Ribble Valley.
Settle is a great starting point to explore the Yorkshire Dales from. Just a short drive away from the town is the village of Malham, which has several beauty spots on its doorstep.
There’s the mesmerising Malham Cove, instantly recognisable to Harry Potter fans thanks to the weird rock formations of the limestone cliffs.
Nearby is the dramatic Gordale Scar, a hidden gorge which cuts through the landscape. Or visit the idyllic Janet’s Foss Waterfall.
Not far from Settle is Ingleborough, the second-highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales and one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Or venture underground in the Ingleborough Cave, which is completely floodlit so you can admire the intriguing stalagmites and stalactites.
After you've had a wander around Settle there's plenty of other towns and villages you can easily visit next. For a decent walk head to Stainforth, which is 3 miles away, passing through the picturesque hamlet of Feizor on the way.
Austwick, around 5 miles from Settle, has impressive views of two of the Three Peaks, or have a drive through the stunning scenery of the Forest of Bowland and visit Slaidburn.
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