A week based in Settle, Yorkshire.

[Justmuddlingalong]

We are staying in Settle next month for a week. Travelling down by train, so no car.
Does anyone have any "not to be missed" places to go, visit or eat for a couple? We're quite happy to jump on the train or bus to go further afield, as well as mooching about locally.
I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

Skipton is a train/bus ride away, market days are busy. A good selection of shops too. Ingleton for the walking.

The Settle Carlisle line is a beautiful train journey with spectacular scenery. I think that some of the tiny stations have minibuses to the trail heads if you want to go walking, although I don't know how seasonal that might be.

Ooohhh….the coutyard dairy is fantastic if you can get there (and like cheese).

This is a link to the buses that run via Settle, and where you can get to.

The Settle -Carlisle railway is fab, either going right up to Carlisle, look around the cathedral, castle and Tullie museum. Or get off at stations en route for a walk, e.g. Ribblehead for the viaduct. You could also explore Saltire/Leeds, going the other way. Don't forget a visit to Booths!

Walk along the river from settle and go to the Knights Table for lunch (knights stainforth camp site). Go to Ingleton and do the waterfall walk, it’s lovely. Visit Malham Cove and do the circular walk. Skipton is great for a day out.

I’ve not done this route myself, but I think you can take the train to Horton-in-Ribblesdale and walk up Pen-y-Ghent.

I did a similar trip in 2023. I enjoyed taking the Settle-Carlisle Railway to the Ribblehead Viaduct, exploring the viaduct, and looking around the Ribblehead visitor centre in the Victorian station building. It has historical displays and a tiny cafe. In Settle, I enjoyed the Museum of North Craven Life (closed at the moment) and the Folly Coffee House, where I had an extraordinary lemon-ginger scone with lemon curd. Settle has two miniature galleries, an art gallery and a listening gallery, housed in old-fashioned red telephone boxes. I walked to Stainforth Force (okay) and climbed the Norber Erratics (great views) near Austwick.

Overall, I didn't love Settle. I had previously had a splendid holiday in the Malham/ Grassington/ Skipton area, and I went to Settle because I thought it would be similar, but I didn't enjoy it as much. I found the food options so-so and the hotel overpriced. If you are committed to visiting Settle, I'd probably focus on train trips along the Settle-Carlisle Railway. This website might be useful: https://lonewalker.net/projects/settle-carlisle-railway-walks/

Saltaire, about an hour's journey south of Settle, is indeed an interesting day trip. The huge old mill houses art exhibits, restaurants, and a bookstore. Skipton is only 23 minutes away by train, and the castle is worth a visit.

Definitely the viaduct, which is stunning. The staff in the cafe at the railway station there are really lovely too and they do nice fruit cake.

Saltaire is definitely worth a visit.

Settle to Carlisle get off in Appleby. Lovely old station. Walk down into town. Lovely shops, riverside walk, cafes, train back. Xxxx

Especially if you’re a David Hockney fan, but interesting anyway.

Do you enjoy walking? There are lots of possibilities from Settle.

Elaine's Tea Rooms in Feizor would fit into a nice circular walk:
https://www.elainestearooms.com/

Getting to Malham might be a challenge without a car. There is a direct bus from Settle on a Saturday, but I believe it finishes on October 17.

The 581 bus will take you to Clapham to visit the Nature Trail and Show Cave
ingleboroughcave.co.uk/

or carry on to Ingleton for the Waterfalls Trail
www.ingletonwaterfallstrail.co.uk/

Yes, the Hockney stuff is good, but personally I’m more excited by all those beautiful bricks. 😂

Ooh, thanks everyone for the suggestions. Lots of tips. You've definitely given us lots of possibilities.
Thanks again.