Seeking Yorkshire advice

So I have finally convinced my London born/bred other half that Yorkshire is gorgeous and worth a visit, and we are thinking of driving up for the 2nd May bank holiday weekend. (May 27-30)

Someone I work with recommended Malham, which does look pretty stunning, but since I know so many of you are familiar with the area, I thought I'd ask for your recommendations.

We both love hiking/walking/biking etc. Although it would be ideal to get a cottage as I prefer self catering, all of the cottage sites I looked at will not allow short stay reservations for peak season this early.

Any insider tips from the pros up north? 

I know the Yorkshire ladies will chip in shortly :-) but I just had to mention one of my absolute favorite places in Yorkshire...

Ripon is a gorgeous market town with a cathedral (also gorgeous! make sure to visit St. Wilfrid's crypt!) near the ruins of Fountain's Abbey which is set in a park/water garden (the Studley Royal) that is just...breathtaking.

I'm also a big fan of Grassington - a great little village and on the 'the Dales way' so very good for walking as well.

Have funnn!!! I need to organize a weekend away in Yorkshire soon...its appalling we've been here for months and haven't made it up yet...

Are you looking to stay specifically in the Dales?  The Dales are gorgeous, but there's also the Moors if you are looking for natural beauty.  There are so many beautiful places up here, are you looking to sightsee or are you just looking for a more active weekend (with walks and biking)?  

I think in some villages you should be able to rent bikes if you don't want to bring your own up.  Also, it can sometimes be a little cheaper to stay just outside of the Dales than it is to find accommodation in the Dales.  I'm just guessing that self-catering might be hard to do during that timeperiod unless you are willing to stay a week.  

I'm sure Mrs. R. will be along shortly and I think she's spent quite a bit of time in the Dales (more than me, I'm a Yorkshire Moors girl   ).  

I found a link to some fun looking walks but again, I think Mrs. R has a book of walks for up there and can probably be more useful.

http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/index/outandabout/gettingactive/walking/shortwalks.htm

Yes, Mrs. R. will be around with info and links, I'm sure!  We went camping in the Yorkshire Dales this past summer and it's gorgeous!  I forget the little villages we were near and hiked to, but Mrs. R. was staying close by at the same time and will probably remember the names of the villages. 

Someone I work with recommended Malham, which does look pretty stunning, but since I know so many of you are familiar with the area, I thought I'd ask for your recommendations.

I do think you'd really like Malhamdale - it has probably one of the most popular walks of all in the southern Dales - the one where I was clinging to a big rock at some point in the past.

We use this guy's website a lot for walk ideas (no need of buying a book here - but an O/S map will always be useful):

http://www.walkingenglishman.com/dales.htm

Or maybe you'd fancy having a crack at the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge?  

I know you two are all about rugged adventure, so that's among the most rugged we've got for you up here!  

On the other hand, if you want peaceful & pastoral - maybe look at sections of the Dales Way footpath?

Yorkshire Dales National Park website

Or if you want the back of beyond (no mobile signal & hardly any people!) - try between Yockenthwaite to Oughtershaw, which is the far reaches of Wharfedale (where the River Wharfe begins).  Or Swaledale & Arkengarthdale - although I do think these are better in late August or early autumn when the heather is blooming.

And of course, it goes without saying, we've got the best pubs & the best beer up here.  Down-to-earth pubs, that is.  

The other suggestions on here are all good too!  And yes, persephone is right, the North York Moors are lovely too - we spent the week of New Year's up there & it was just fab.  I think we need to go there more often - it's just a bit further drive for us to the moors.

Andee & I were both in Swaledale in the autumn.  She was camping at Keld, whilst we stayed in a B&B at Gunnerside.  The villages around there are Thwaite, Muker, Reeth, etc - that's the northern Dales area.

And yeah, it's hard to find short stay self-catering until much closer in.

If you want other stuff - historical sites, events, posh dining, breweries, etc - just give us a shout & we can point you in the right directions.

Oh gosh, now I'm reminded of all the bits of Yorkshire I love.  And will miss.   

Ripon, Grassington, Kettlewell, Helmsley, Whitby, Penistone, the dales, the moors, the coast, ...  there is SO much to see and do, choosing will be the hard part.

Have a great time Courtney!!   

I knew I'd get some great tips here! 

...are you looking to sightsee or are you just looking for a more active weekend (with walks and biking)? 

I know you two are all about rugged adventure, so that's among the most rugged we've got for you up here!   

Active, although we are not as hardcore as Mrs. R makes us out to be. We're still 43 year olds who could be fitter if we were disciplined enough but who has time for that lol. Robin hates to be indoors and we both prefer nature to monuments/museums. Bringing our bikes is an option as we have a rack.

I love the look of the dales but remain openminded. I found a B&B in Malham, but will it be central enough to do a few days of wandering about? The perfect scenario is a place that has several walking/hiking options without too much faffing about since we only have 3 days this time.

Thanks for the fantastic links! 

I knew I'd get some great tips here! 

Active, although we are not as hardcore as Mrs. R makes us out to be. We're still 43 year olds who could be fitter if we were disciplined enough but who has time for that lol. Robin hates to be indoors and we both prefer nature to monuments/museums. Bringing our bikes is an option as we have a rack.

I love the look of the dales but remain openminded. I found a B&B in Malham, but will it be central enough to do a few days of wandering about? The perfect scenario is a place that has several walking/hiking options without too much faffing about since we only have 3 days this time.

Thanks for the fantastic links! 

Sounds awesome!  Have a fantastic time while you are up here!!

I love Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, I think it's as far north as you can get in Yorkshire. It's really wild and remote and spectacular, with little villages in the valley bottom. Fantastic hiking country, not very accessible in winter if it snows. It's sometimes called Herriot country after a TV vet.