The historic Yorkshire Dales village of Ingleton is situated at the junction of two rivers.

The River Twiss from Kingsdale and River Doe from Chapel-le Dale combine to form the River Greta at Ingleton. 

Ingleton nestles in the foothills of Ingleborough on the threshold of Yorkshire's beautiful Limestone Dales.

Above ground, glaciation has produced spectacular scars, erratics, limestone pavements, high cliffs and deep dry gorges.

Below ground, the limestone region is awash with dramatic underground rivers, stunning potholes and caves.

The natural features of the area provide for a host of outdoor activities, and the Ingleton area is a magnet to walkers, climbers, cavers and potholers.

Walking

Walking is a favourite pastime for many visitors, and there are literally hundreds of paths and routes for all levels of fitness and difficulty.

Since 1885 visitors have come to the village to enjoy the wonderful Waterfalls Trail along the banks of the Rivers Twiss and Doe. Ingleton Waterfalls Walk. 

The walk up Ingleborough from Ingleton is very rewarding. The track has recently been restored and in parts reinstated by the National Parks Authority, making the walking very pleasant.

At 723m the summit of Ingleborough is lower than that of its neighbour Whernside which at 737m is the highest point in Yorkshire. At 694m Pen-y-ghent is the lowest of the Three Peaks.

For serious walkers the classic 40km (26 mile) Three Peaks walk links the 3 summits in a day long circular walk. Pen-y-ghent cafe offers a unique clocking in and out safety system for those attempting the hike, as well as eligibility to join the "Three Peaks of Yorkshire Club".

Written by local newsagent Paul Denbigh, the booklet, Walks Around Ingleton contains a selection of ten circular walks which all start at the Community Centre Car Park in Ingleton.

Every conceivable type of walk is presented ranging from a stroll round the village to a 24km hike over Whernside and Ingleborough.

The Waterfalls Trail is included. Each walk is accurately described and comes with a map, a sketch and a concise text of historical or geological interest.

In his second booklet Views Around Ingleton, the same author has written fascinating information about many local beauty spots. The booklet contains beautiful photographs taken by local people and provides details of how you can get to the point from which the picture was taken. Some pictures from the book have been used on this site.

For those interested in the history of Ingleton, The Ingleton History Trail, written by local historian and author, John Bentley, shows something of the industrial archaeology and other features of Ingleton. 

All the booklets are available mail order from Ingleton Tourist Information Centre. E-mail: Tourist Information Centre

Climbing, Caving, Potholing, Abseiling  

White Scar Caves and Ingleborough Cave are two show caves offering guided tours. At 90m long, Battlefield Cavern in White Scar Caves is one of the longest cave chambers in Britain.

Situated on the eastern side of Ingleborough, Gaping Gill is probably the best known pothole in Britain.

Water falls a distance of 110m from the surface before reaching the floor of the largest cave chamber in the country.

The water from Gaping Gill emerges back into daylight next to the entrance to Ingleborough Cave. Over Whit and August Bank Holiday periods, local caving clubs will winch you down to the floodlit floor.

Caving equipment can be hired in the village, but please do not go alone unless you know what you are doing. With a qualified leader you can explore the caves around Ingleton at very little expense. 

Like caving, local instructors can take you out climbing, caving and abseiling in the vicinity of Ingleton.

Paragliding is also possible on the hills around the village.

A Climbing Wall is situated in the village (Inglesport has tickets).

Gearstones Lodge offers you a chance to have a go at Outdoor Activities you always wanted to try!

The Ingleton area has activities for all ages, and for individual or family holidays.

It is ideal for geologically based Field Trips or group holidays by schools or clubs.

The Ingleton Rock Shop can arrange geological talks and field trips in the area to complement the other outdoor activities.

For those seeking an outdoor adventure, tuition for all levels (including families) can be found in our Activities Guides.

We can organise accommodation, transport, equipment, guiding and tuition for all many sport activities.

Golf

Ingleton is ideally located for a golfing holiday, with three rural courses in Bentham, Settle and Kirby Lonsdale.

River fishing

Brown trout, sea trout and salmon are plentiful in Ingleton's rivers. For nearly a century the Ingleton Angling Association (secretary: Ian Crack 015242 41171) has controlled 12km of some of the most scenic river fishing in Northern England.

The non-profit making association issues fishing permits for selected parts of the rivers, though some accommodation providers offer their guests fishing rights from their own property.

Permits with maps are available Ingleton Post Office

During 1999 Ingleton Angling Association planted 600 trees, rebuilt walls and fenced parts of the river banks.

To help pay for such regeneration projects the Association holds its famous Duck Race each August Bank Holiday.

For £1 it is possible to back a numbered plastic duck as it races down a stretch of river by the entrance to the Waterfalls Trail. Cash prizes are given to the winners. 

Ingleton Swimming pool

The heated open-air swimming pool is managed by the local community. The pool was dug out and built by local volunteers in 1933. The workers included striking miners from the New Ingleton Colliery which closed in 1936.

The pool has recently been improved and modernized using major funding from private donations, the National Lottery and the European Objective 5b Community Fund as well as other smaller grants.

The pool has a beautiful riverside setting and is open from the beginning of the Whitsuntide weekend until the end of the August Bank Holiday weekend.

There are various public swimming sessions daily. The pool is available for private hire and also for organized swimming lessons.

Current projects include the provision of disabled facilities and a retractable roof. Contributions to the Improvement Fund will be very gratefully received. (UK bank code 01 04 81 account number 10043004).  

Other Activities

Steam trains on the Settle-Carlisle line run some weekends in the summer, although there is an all-year-round train service. In Ingleton there is a riverside playground and picnic area (015242 41147 for information).

Tennis Courts are next to the Community Centre, with regular cricket matches on the Sport Field (015242 41654 for information). Ingleton Bowling Green can be used by visitors (015242 61546).

Photographic acknowledgments:

John Forder: Descending into Alum Pot, Solo climbing in the Yorkshire Dales
Paul Denbigh: Views Around Ingleton