This picturesque town has been crowned the UK’s prettiest winter village
- UK Hidden Gems
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
A picturesque Yorkshire town known for its lovely old buildings and beautiful walking routes has been named one of the best places in the country to visit during the colder months.
This charming spot has been described as one of the UK’s “prettiest winter villages” by Fine and Country, which praised it as a “perfect place for winter walks and exploring nature”.
The estate agent also highlighted its historic cottages, sweeping countryside scenery and cosy pubs, all of which help create a “warm and welcoming atmosphere”.
Much of Settle is a designated Conservation Area, with plenty of 17th and 18th century buildings, along with 76 listed buildings scattered throughout the town.
One of the most famous is The Folly, built in 1679, which is the only Grade I listed historic house in the Yorkshire Dales that is regularly open to the public.
The Folly is home to the Museum of North Craven Life, which shares the stories of the landscape and the people who have lived there.
One TripAdvisor reviewer called it a “gem of a local museum”, adding: “Wide range of fascinating exhibits on local history.
Very strong on the Carlisle-Settle railway.” Another visitor wrote: “Fascinating and well-presented history and artefacts of everything one might wish to know about Settle and the entire North Craven area. Staff most welcoming and helpful.”
The surrounding area is filled with brilliant walking routes, including the Trow Gill Gorge, which Visit Settle describes as a “spectacular, wooded limestone ravine at the head of Clapdale”.
There is also Castleberg Crag, a tall limestone outcrop that has been admired as a beauty spot for centuries, and the peaceful Settle Riverside Walk, which follows the River Ribble.
Waterfall lovers can explore Catrigg Force, Scaleber Force and Stainforth Force, while keen hikers can take on gorges, peaks and woodland trails. For those hoping to tackle the famous Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, all three can be reached on foot from Settle.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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