My Holiday Expert

Day 7 and we have decided to keep it nice and quiet today with it being our last day. So from our village of Giggleswick we travelled 5 minutes by car to a nearby walkway and a wonderful waterfall. Yorkshire has plentiful of Waterfalls, with more information HERE . All I can tell you about where we visited today is that, it was such a beautiful sight, so peaceful and very at one with mother nature.

The geology of the Yorkshire Dales is perfect for supporting waterfalls. The spectacular landscape is a result of the area's geololical history with much of the Yorkshire Dales National Park covered in carboniferous limestone which is interspersed with shales, gritstones and sandstones. Natural landshift which created the topography of the area during the great ice age and subsequent erosion of the softer stones has caused rivers and becks to form waterfalls all over the dales. Some are little more than a few inches high, many less than the height of an adult person. Yet there are many many spoectacular waterfalls to be found. Some are solitary like Hardraw Force, the highest of them all and some part of a series of cascades like the ones at Aysgarth Falls. In this section I present my top 30. These are from my personal experiences while walking in the Yorkshire Dales. With each description I provide their source and the river the source flows into with details on how to get to them when walking. This includes a precise OS map reference. You must try to visit some of them on your next walking expedition into the Yorkshire Dales.

 

Day 6 and we have decided to venture to the edge of the Lakes, armed with raincoats and umbrellas we went to the South Lakes Wild Animal Park to see the Giraffes, Lions, Tigers, Kangaroos and much more. This is a great park, with many animals and loads of fundraising schemes to make money for the Tigers that are becoming fewer and fewer in this world. I would advise anyone thinking of going here to make sure that they take with them plenty of wet weather clothes and not make the same mistake as me and wear sandals, this is definitely a place for Wellies and Raincoats!

Open every day except Christmas day.

1st April - 31st October 2011 10am-5.00pm

Last admission is 45 minutes before closing.

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Our 2011 admission prices are as follows:
Adults - £12.50
Children - £8.00 (3-15 years)
Seniors - £9.00

Under 3's are FREE of charge

Tesco vouchers can only be used towards admission costs.

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For further information on school, brownie/scouts, or group visits click HERE

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Situated in Dalton in Furness just 20 minutes from Lake Windermere, you'll find here all the information you will need to find us. Whether you are driving or using public transport these details should help you get to us. MORE

Address South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Broughton Rd, Dalton In Furness, Cumbria, LA15 8JR

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This is your chance to get hands on.
Don't miss your chance to hand Feed Giraffes, Penguins, Kangaroos and more every day.

Click HERE for the full daily programme.

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A visit to South Lakes Wild Animal Park is great fun and educational. Your safety is very important to us and we need to make sure you are aware of all the risks and rules. Please find out how you can stay safe here.

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Download the latest Map HERE

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Our brilliant forest themed gift shop is a one stop shop for all your souvenir needs. With gifts from £1 to £100 including a fantastic selection of gifts from our conservation projects around the world. MORE

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Maki -meaning Ring tailed lemur in Malagasy

Take a break from exploring and drop into our Maki Restaurant for a delicious bite to eat. Feed a family of 4 for £15 then enjoy your meal on the "treetops" style decking where you can watch Rhinos, Giraffes, baboons at leisure. MORE

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We have a fantastic range of facilities available for your convenience including:

Free Car parking; Mini train ride; children's play area; indoor and outdoor covered picnic areas ; baby changing facilities;

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Join us for fabulous events throughout the year - In February come vote at the Park Mascot Elections, join in the trick or treat parade at Halloween, or meet Rudolf and Santa during the Magic of Christmas all special times here at the park with lots of fun family activities...
For more information of what's up and coming or to see photos from last years events. HERE

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Become a Friend of the Park, for as little as £17.50 (if purchased within the park and after full price admission has been paid) then come as many times as you like for a year for just £1.50 per visit plus get 10% off food and drinks in the cafe and 10% off gifts in the shop. Annual passes cost £30.00 if purchased online.. MORE

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Ever dreamed of the chance to work with some of the rarest wildest animals in the world? Become a keeper for the day at the UK’s top conservation Park. Adult and junior (7-13 years) experiences available MORE

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We obviously think we are great - read here what others have said about their visit. MORE

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The park was created and developed solely by David Gill. At the time of construction back in 1993/4 he was an animal nutritionist with no connection to zoo's, but a desire to see education and conservation brought into the public awareness by the reality of a close wild experience, an experience for all to react to assist worldwide conservation issues. David built the Park with his own hands and to this day, still designs and builds all the facilities around the park - now with the help and assistance of the large staff. MORE

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We hope the contents of these pages help you in planning a trip to South Lakes Wild Animal Park we cannot however vouch for the experience you will have except for your time in the park - which will be truly amazing! The nearest travelodge is found in Barrow in Furness just 4 miles away there are also a selection of hotels in Dalton itself. Just 20 minutes from Lake Windermere there is also plenty to keep you busy MORE

Important information

Please note that we DO NOT allow dogs or any other pets on the zoo site. Unfortunately due to strict regulations this must include guide dogs.
Park Road Kennels & Cattery is a short car journey and they accept day boarders. 01229 465538 or 0774799529

All under 16's visiting the park must be accompanied by an adult.

The park has a No Smoking Policy and has been smoke free for 3 years. SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED ANYWHERE IN THE PARK. A passout system is in operation. CCTV is in operation throughout the park and our policy is to ask offenders to leave the park without re entry.

Off we go to see if the Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream is any better than the Cornish Kellys Ice Cream! And at Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream Farm we found a great afternoon out for adults and kids. With a great outdoor play area with a wooden pirate ship, train, car, boat and tyre swings, the kids can work up an appetite for some truly delicious ice cream made on the farm. Plus as a treat, the cows that make the ice cream are in the field as you drive in, so the kids get to see exactly where it all starts.

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We've been selling ice cream in and around the Yorkshire Dales for three generations, close to 60 years. Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream is made here at our farm, near to Bolton Abbey; the farm also houses our fleet of ice cream vans and is home to our Charolaise cattle, sheep and horses.

If you've ever been to the Yorkshire Dales, you'll know it's a place of fresh air and breath-taking scenery. All our Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream products contain lashings of fresh milk and double cream, produced by cows that graze the lush and natural Dales meadows. It comes to us exclusively from local farms just up the road in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, then we add only natural ingredients such as real fruit flavourings, luxury chocolate pieces, and crunchy cinder toffee chunks. Please take a minute to watch our animated video to find out more...

Ice cream is our business, but equally it's our passion and we like nothing better than making great tasting Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream at a fair price for those of you who love ice cream too! “

Sue x

 

Day 4 and what a tiring day up in here in Yorkshire. Today all 20 of us descended upon Bolton Abbey for the morning and then have a steam train ride to finish the day. I have to say Bolton Abbey is beautiful. You have to pay £6.00 per car to park here, however it is more than worth it. As once you are parked up, you are free to wonder around the Abbey ruins, see the castle, go to the small beach, stream and stepping stones. This is far as we got, however there are countless walks and beautiful scenery, if you manage to get the sunny day that we were blessed with then you can easily spend the whole day here, relaxing in this gorgeous area.

Bolton Abbey

Bolton Abbey is in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales on the banks of the River Wharfe. With just under 30,000 acres of beautiful countryside, over 80 miles of footpaths and ample space to run around and enjoy the fresh air, there is something for all ages. Explore the ruins of the Priory and discover a landscape full of history and legend, wander along the riverside, woodland and moorland paths, enjoy local produce in the excellent restaurants, tea rooms and cafes, treat yourself in the quality gift shops and food shop or simply relax beside the river with a picnic whilst the children play.

Visitors have long been welcome to Bolton Abbey and whilst we are open everyday from 9am, please check opening times for refreshments during the winter months.

www.boltonabbey.com

 

Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

Travel between Embsay station, built in 1888, and the new award-winning station at Bolton Abbey. Your journey takes you through picturesque Yorkshire Dales scenery. Bolton Abbey station is the ideal stopping off point for a pleasant one and a half mile walk to the ruins of the 12th Century priory. Venture a little further to picnic on the banks of the River Wharfe, or in the shade of Strid Wood where you will find the Cavendish Pavillion for refreshments

 

 

Sue x

Well day 3 arrived and with that a trip to the White Scar Caves for the elder children in our party and off to the Settle Play Barn for the youngest (I chose to go to the Play Barn to relax with a coffee whilst my husband took some of the elder children down to the caves, however after seeing the pictures, I wish I had not done the Play Barn!)

White Scar Cave

Entering the cave, visitors become aware of a faint sound that gets louder as they walk further in. Suddenly they turn a corner and find the first waterfall, which after wet weather literally thunders into a rocky pool. The waterfall was the first feature discovered by Christopher Long in 1923. In full spate the weight of water cascading down each minute is about fifty-five tonnes.

Opening Times (Weather Permitting)

• Spring & Summer – February 1^st to October 31^st
  The cave is open every day, from 10am.
• Autumn & Winter – November 1^st to January 31^st
  The cave is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am.
  Groups are welcome to arrange weekday tours, but advance booking is required.

Admission Prices

Visitor type
Price
Information

Adult
£8.50
adult is age 16 or older

Child
£5.50
child is ages 3 to 15 – there is no charge for children under 3

Family
£23.50
family is 2 adults + 2 children

Timetable of Cave Tours

All visits into the cave are with a cave guide. Tours start at the following times:

• 10.20am • 11am • 12 noon • 1pm • 2pm • 3pm • 4pm The tour takes about 80 minutes.

At busy times you may be asked to wait some minutes before joining an additional tour. This reduces the number of people on your tour, helping you enjoy your visit underground.

Settle Play Barn

The Play Barn offers a space where parents and children will have a fun time, whilst the children are scrambling over the adventure course or testing their climbing skills on the climbing wall having fun in the spooky maze or perhaps sliding down the twisting slide.

 

Sue x

 

Day 2 of our holiday and even though it does not feel like  we have ventured out all that much, it definitely has been a very tiring day!! This morning we decided to travel the 5 miles from  www.thewoodlandshouse.co.uk to Malham Cove, with the drive up from Giggleswick being described as a rollercoaster ride along the roads by the kids in my car.

Such beautiful scenery and a lovely way to spend the day if holidaying here with dogs and children. This really is the perfect place if you are looking for a peaceful and scenic area, where you can partake in hiking, dog walking and tiring out the children.

Standing some 80 metres high and 300 metres wide and north of the mid craven fault, Malham Cove is a curved crag of carboniferous limestone formed after the last ice age. Meltwater, particularly from Malham Tarn, cut back the cove as it fell over the edge as a waterfall. This erosion took place more actively at the lip of the fall rather than at the sides, hence the curved shape………http://www.malhamdale.org.uk/malham_cove.htm

Tonight is looking to be a barbecue night, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather holds off!! Then tomorrow it all starts again..!

Sue x