Wensleydale near Hawes.Wensleydale is the valley or dale of the River Ure lying on the east side of the Pennines in North Yorkshire, England.
Wensleydale lies in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is the only valley in the Dales not currently named after its principal river, Wensley is in fact a small village, but its older name, "Yoredale", can still be seen on some maps.
Wensleydale was home to of one of Yorkshire's most famous clans, the Metcalfes, after they arrived from Dentdale. The Metcalfe Society hold records dating back, showing Metcalfes living in the area during the 14th century. They were one of the most predominant families in Yorkshire for over five centuries. Sir James Metcalfe, 1389-1472, was born and lived in Wensleydale, and was a captain in the army which fought with King Henry V in the battle of Agincourt in 1415. Metcalfe is still one of the most common surnames to be found in Yorkshire.
Bolton Castle in the village of Castle Bolton is a well known local historic site. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here and the story goes that she escaped and made her way towards Leyburn only to lose her shawl on the way, hence the name 'The Shawl' given to the cliff edge that runs westward out of Leyburn and is a well-known spot for easy walks with splendid views.
Wenleydale's main settlements are Hawes and Leyburn with Aysgarth, Bainbridge and Middleham other well-known villages. The shortest river in England, the river Bain, links Semer Water to the Ure, at Bainbridge, the home of an Ancient Roman fort, part of the Roman road is still walkable, up Wether Fell. Hardraw Force, the tallest unbroken waterfall in England can be found at Hardraw, near Hawes. Aysgarth Falls, High, Middle and Low are rightly famous and people come from a long way to see them - they are splendid in their beauty, enough so to feature in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and also Kevin Costner took a nude bathe in the plunge pool of Hardraw Force. Other notable waterfalls can be found at West Burton, and Whitfield Gill Force, near Askrigg.
Wensleydale lies between Wharfedale, in the south, and the quieter Swaledale, in the north, via the Buttertubs Pass. The lesser known Coverdale is a branch of Wensleydale.
Beneath Wensleydale, the Ure flows east and south, becoming navigable and changing its name to the River Ouse, passing through York, becoming the Humber estuary, flowing under the Humber Bridge past Hull, Immingham and Grimsby and finally meetin the North Sea off Spurn Head. On its way it collects the waters of the River Swale, River Nidd, River Wharfe, River Aire, River Derwent and River Trent.
Wensleydale is a very popular destination in its own right, enhanced by its central location between two other well-known tourist dales of Wharfedale and Swaledale.
Wensleydale is a common destination for tourists who like walking on mountains, moorland, dales and valley bottoms. A high moorland lake named Semer Water is popular for boating, water-skiing and fishing. Hawes and Leyburn are famous because of their age, location and facilities, pubs, shops, teashops and hotels. Hawes is the home of the rope-makers, Outhwaites, where visitors can watch the manufacturing process.
The Wensleydale Railway operates in Wensleydale and currently runs between Leeming Bar, the A1 and Redmire, near Castle Bolton. The railway's long-term plan is to run the whole length of the valley and connect with the National Rail network at both ends, at Garsdale on the Settle-Carlisle Railway in the west and Northallerton on the East Coast Main Line. It is hoped this will relieve some of the current traffic congestion that the valley suffers from during the peak tourist months.
Some people visit for the Richard III connection, he was raised in Middleham Castle, of which sufficient ruins remain to be well worth a visit. Middleham itself is a pleasant village with pubs and horse racing connections, with several stables based there. In the market place stands a stone carving, thought to be a boar's head, signifying where the animal market was during the 15th century.
