Page 230 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

much a living centre of The Drive » From Bakewell
Welsh culture, too, as you 9 Peak District take the A623 northwest
can see for yourself at National Park towards Manchester and pick
Oriel Ynys Môn (%01248- up the northbound M66, then
724444; www.orielynysmon. Founded in 1951, the at Burnley take the northeast-
info; Rhosmeirch, Llangefni; Peak District was bound M65 to Skipton. Enter the
Yorkshire Dales National Park on
h10.30am-5pm; p). A England’s first national the B6265 to Grassington and
great, introductory day park and is Europe’s head northwest on the B6160
walk from Beaumaris busiest. But even at peak to Aysgarth. Then take the A684
takes in the ancient times, there are 555 sq along the River Ure to Hawes (a
monastic site of Penmon miles of open country- total of 118 miles).
Priory (Cadw; www.cadw. side in which to soak
wales.gov.uk; Penmon; parking up the scenery. Caving
£2.50; h10am-4pm; p), and climbing, cycling a Yorkshire Dales
Penmon Point with views and, above all, walking National Park
across to Puffin Island, (including numerous Protected as a national
and Blue Flag beach short walks) are the most park since the 1950s,
Llanddona. popular activities. The the glacial valleys of the
Peak District National
4 p233 Park Authority (%01629- Yorkshire Dales (named
from the old Norse word
The Drive » Return to 816200; www.peakdistrict.gov. dalr, meaning ‘valleys’)
the mainland and take the uk; bicycle hire per half-day/ are characterised by a
A55 northeast, crossing the day adult £14/17, child £10/12)
GREAT BRITAIN 16 BRITAIN’S WILD SIDE
border into England where has reams of information distinctive landscape of
the road becomes the M56. about the park and also high heather moorland,
Continue northeast towards operates several cycle- stepped skylines and
Manchester before turning off hire centres. The charm- flat-topped hills above
on the southeast-bound M6. At ing town of Bakewell also valleys patchworked
Sandbach turn east on the A534 with drystone dykes and
and follow the signs to Leek, has a helpful tourist of- little barns. Hawes is
then take the A53 northeast fice (%01629-816558; www. home to the Wensley-
before turning east towards visitpeakdistrict.com; Bridge
Longnor then Bakewell (138 St; h9.30am-5pm Apr-Oct, dale Creamery (www.
miles all-up). 10.30am-4.30pm Nov-Mar). wensleydale.co.uk; adult/child
£2.50/1.50; h10am-4pm;
4 p233 pc), producing famous
Wensleydale cheese. In
the limestone country of
the southern Dales you’ll
encounter extraordinary
TOP TIP: examples of karst scenery
WALKING SAFETY TIPS (created by rainwater
dissolving the underlying
The British countryside can appear gentle, and often limestone bedrock).
is, but conditions can deteriorate quickly. Year-round The Drive » Head southwest
on the hills or open moors carry warm waterproof on the B6255 to Ingleton. Take
clothing, a map and compass, and high-energy the A65 northwest to Sizergh
food (eg chocolate) and drinks. If you’re really going then the A590 southwest to
off the beaten track, leave your route details with the Lake District’s southern
someone. reaches at Newby Bridge. Drive
north along Lake Windermere
before veering northwest to
Hawkshead (53 miles all up).

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