Bishopdale

Bishopdale is one of the lesser-known valleys of the Yorkshire Dales, a tributary dale that branches south from Wensleydale near Aysgarth and runs for around seven miles up towards Kidstones Pass and the head of Wharfedale. Rather than one town, Bishopdale is really a scatter of small settlements – Thoralby, Newbiggin, West Burton and Walden – strung along Bishopdale Beck as it tumbles down to join the River Ure. It is a quieter, more pastoral corner of the National Park than nearby Wensleydale or Wharfedale, with fewer visitors and a strong sense of working farmland.

The valley is classic Dales scenery: green in-bye fields stitched together with drystone walls and traditional field barns, rising to open heather moor and limestone fell tops on both sides. The B6160 Aysgarth to Buckden road climbs over the top of the dale via Kidstones, giving one of the finest high-level drives in the National Park, while the valley floor lanes are ideal for gentle exploring by car, bike or on foot. Because it sits just off the main tourist routes, Bishopdale keeps a genuinely local, unhurried feel even in summer.

Top things to do in Bishopdale

Bishopdale rewards slow travel – walking the valley floor, exploring its hamlets, and using it as a peaceful base from which to visit the bigger-name Dales attractions nearby.

• West Burton village green – often claimed as the largest village green in the Yorkshire Dales, ringed by stone cottages and a market cross, with a waterfall just below the green on Walden Beck.
• Thoralby – a small, largely unspoilt village of stone cottages about a mile from Aysgarth, with a network of footpaths leading out onto the fell.
• Walking the Bishopdale valley floor – a network of field paths and quiet lanes links Thoralby, Newbiggin and West Burton, with views up to Stake Fell and Naughtberry Hill.
• Aysgarth Falls – a short drive down the dale, three tiered waterfalls on the River Ure set among woodland, with a National Park visitor centre.
• Buckden and Upper Wharfedale – reached over Kidstones Pass at the head of Bishopdale, a classic Dales village with popular fell walks including Buckden Pike.
• Stake Moss and Haw Lane – a high-level track above Thoralby, part of the Yorkshire Dales Celebration Way, with wide moorland views back down the dale.
• Wensleydale Creamery, Hawes – a short drive away, the working creamery and visitor centre behind Wensleydale cheese, with tastings and a shop.

Getting to Bishopdale

Bishopdale runs south from the A684 Wensleydale road, which is reached via the A1(M) and A684 from the east, or the M6 and A65 from the west. The B6160 threads through the dale from Aysgarth up to Kidstones and on into Wharfedale, making it easy to combine a visit with both Wensleydale and Wharfedale in one trip. The nearest railway stations are at Garsdale and Northallerton, both around 40 minutes' drive away, and there is no direct bus service into the dale itself, so a car is by far the most practical way to explore.

Best time to visit Bishopdale

Late spring through early autumn is the easiest time to visit, with long daylight for walking and the fell roads clear. May and June bring lambs in the fields and wildflowers along the verges, while September and October add turning colour on the valley sides. Winter can be atmospheric but the high road over Kidstones Pass is exposed and occasionally closed by snow, so check conditions before travelling out of season.

Where to stay in Bishopdale

Accommodation in Bishopdale itself is limited to a small number of holiday cottages and farmhouse B&Bs in Thoralby, Newbiggin and West Burton, reflecting the valley's quiet, low-key character. Most visitors base themselves here for peace and views rather than choice of amenities, with a wider range of hotels, inns and self-catering available a short drive away in Aysgarth, Leyburn and Hawes.

Food and drink in Bishopdale

Bishopdale itself has no pub, so most visitors head down the dale to Aysgarth or Leyburn, or over to Buckden and Hawes, for meals out. Hawes in particular is well known for the Wensleydale Creamery and its cheese shop, alongside a handful of traditional Dales pubs and cafes serving hearty, locally sourced food.