TOP YORKSHIRE VILLAGES

The verdant river valleys and wild heathlands of the Yorkshire Dales are dotted with charming stonebuilt hamlets. Helen Moat explores five of the best

- Helen Moat

What do you picture when you think of the Yorkshire Dales? Perhaps pastoral river valleys, the wild beauty of the moorlands, the criss-cross of drystone walls punctuated by stone barns, or historic market towns. The Dales are overflowing with pretty rustic hamlets, packed with precious buildings. Here are five of the best

1 Grassington 

In the south of Yorkshire Dales National Park is the much-loved former lead-mining village of Grassington. Sloping off the hillside towards the River Wharfe, some will recognise the small market town as 'Darrowby' in the recent All Creatures Great and Small television series, based on the stories of vet James Herriot before the Second World War.

With its cobbled market square, lanes, ginnels and pavements, plus its small traditional shops with their multi-paned fronts, Grassington is the perfect location for the period series. Herriot lovers will recognise some of the film locations: the Stripey Badger Bookshop, Coffee Shop and Kitchen; Helen Midgley's triple-fronted shoe shop; the Rustic Rabbit gift shop; Walker's Bakery; Grassington Post Office and Love Brownies café, along with a smattering of historic houses.

You can spend hours browsing the shops, dipping into cafés, inns and bakeries or simply wandering the cobbled streets. Drop into Grassington Folk Museum to see how Dales people used to live. Enjoy a midday meal on cobbled Garr Lane outside the Corner House Café, renowned for its tasty nutritional lunches and less healthy but equally tasty cakes.