About The Area

The market place at Settle in the valley of the Ribble, is on the dividing line between the largest outcrop of limestone in Britain (to the North) and rolling gritstone moorland.

Explore the limestone country, and you are in a stark but spectacularly attractive area of pearl-white scars, potholes and caves.

Here too are Malham, Horton-in-Ribblesdale and the Three Peaks – Whernside, Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent – each of which is served by good footpaths.

Limestone Pavement and Ingleborough – Where the limestone gives way to gritstone are grand waterfalls, which were joyfully visited by a young composer called Edward Elgar.

The moors, with their coverlet of peat and heather, are of the type known to the Bronte girls of Haworth. West of Settle is unspoilt Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Settle has a full range of Tourist amenities to visit. Giggleswick, just across the river being the home of Giggleswick School.

The Settle and Three Peaks area has justifiably been chosen as the backdrop for a number of film and television produtions.

Our thanks to Bill Mitchell MBE for helping to write this page