Blea Gill Waterfall

The walk to Blea Gill Waterfall is the thing here, not some dramatic destination that'll stop you in your tracks. It's a proper Yorkshire Dales trek from near Skipton, threading through moorland and past stone walls until you reach a modest cascade tumbling into a rocky pool. The waterfall itself is modest - maybe 20 feet or so - but the setting is what counts: you're alone in the hills, listening to water and wind, with views that stretch across the Wharfedale landscape.

This is walkers' territory. Families with small children might find the approach a bit much, though older kids who can manage a few miles will get something out of it. The route takes you through proper backcountry, not a manicured park trail, so you need decent boots and a map or downloaded route. Allow two to three hours depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

The falls themselves are free, of course - it's public moorland. Go in spring when snowmelt swells the stream, or after heavy rain; summer can leave it looking rather thin and disappointing. From any of the caravan parks nearby - Wharfedale Caravan and Motorhome Club is closest at just over four miles away - you could easily make this part of a wider loop around the Dales. It's not a detour that'll dominate your holiday, but it's exactly the kind of walk that makes a week in Yorkshire feel properly spent.