What's near Settle?

[james_tigerwoods]

I'm staying for a week in Settle (North Yorkshire) from Monday.

Where's good to visit around there for me, and a 2 and a 6 year old.

I'm also looking for somewhere to do a little photography, so anywhere scenic would be good too.

Thanks

JTW

[james_tigerwoods]

Thanks everyone I'll try to get some photos to post up

[james_tigerwoods]

We ended up only going Monday to Saturday and, due to family illness, lost Monday as a day to do anything - So 4 days really.

We went to:

• Thornton Hall Farm Park - Not exactly cheap to get in and the "safari", caterpillar ride and pony rides were all extra on top. The safari was worthwhile as it took you all round the farm, but at £3.50 each on top of about £25 to get in and £2 each for each caterpillar ride, got expensive... The weather at least was good albeit windy
• Skipton Castle was a huge disappointment - £5 to park and £25 ish to get in and there's not much to see. Even with a 2 and 6 year old, we were done in an hour. No rain, but it was windy and cold
• The women folk went horse riding which they enjoyed - 1 hour ish for about £25. They got rained on. A lot
• I went (and was joined by the family later) to Kilnsey park which was £12 to visit and walk around and look at the fish. It was good walking round and seeing the fish - But it rained a lot which took the shine off the whole thing and was utterly miserable. In the sun, it would be really nice
• Bolton Abbey - It rained. A lot. An awful lot. And it was £8 to park which offended me on just about every level. It was picturesque and the kids enjoyed running round, but again, the rain spoilt it

The rain and high wind was there just about all week, it wasn't fun at all. There were parts that were nice, but everything seems stacked in a way to relieve you of any monies - And that's just in the car park.

Skipton Castle was a real let down - While there is a bit to look at in there, it doesn't seem to compare with other castle and grounds I've been to, such as Lincoln and York.

I won't post a load of photos as my internet connection seems to have died today, but there are some here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesniclair/

Would I go again? No. Certainly not with 2 small kids to amuse. There's just no guarantee of good weather and when it's not good, it's very not good. And paying so much every time to park and do anything smarts.

That being said, while driving around, I can see that it's very pretty - I'll go back without kids and go walking properly some time.

[james_tigerwoods]

Wills2 said:

That's the thing the weather makes a huge difference it can be pretty miserable in the dales when it's wet cold and windy.

Forgot to add, we did the Bolton Railway too which was short, but worthwhile - I thought it went to the Abbey, but was disappointed to find it didn't.

And you're right. The weather took its toll but even in bad weather, fun can be had, but it was miserable.

Kids were happy though

[james_tigerwoods]

Bolton Abbey might have been nicer for a walk apart from the rain. And that my 6 year old got stuck half way across the stepping stones. And the daughter of the family we stayed with threw a stone at and hit my daughter's head. And my 2 year old wasn't being very compliant. I could go on.

I thought the £8 was for access/entry to the Abbey, but it wasn't. It was to park. £8 for about 3 hours - Seriously? Grr.

[james_tigerwoods]

We go to Whitby (and Scarborough) a fair bit and, a few weeks back, we stayed for 5 days. Each day should have cost about £5-6 for a days parking, but being a bit careful and knowing Whitby well (and Scarborough by accident), I didn't pay for parking all week.

I didn't park much further away than the pay carparks either.