Pictures of Gayle

About Gayle

The picturesque village of Gayle is found amidst the glorious scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is on the passage of the Pennine way, close to Hawes and the National Park Centre. The village is surrounded by stunning fell scenery, Dodd and Wether Fell lie to the south and to the north lie the Butter Tubs Pass, Lovely Seat and the interesting town of Thwaite.

Gayle boasts traditional mellow Yorkshire stone properties and a peaceful atmosphere. One of its memorable sights is the Durley Beck which rushes over shelving rock to course through the village where it is crossed by an ancient stone bridge. A vista of wilderness country unfolds around Gayle, making it idyllic for walkers and strollers who appreciate perfect peace and a myriad of fells and becks.

Gayle Mill, a building of 1776, was built as a waterwheel-powered cotton mill. It is now regarded as an important survivor of a time when there was a small number of these mills working in this part of the Yorkshire Dales. Therefore, the mill has recently been the subject of much restoration, it is designated to be open to the public by Easter 2006 when it will stand as a remarkable tribute, not simply to the great Yorkshire cotton industry but to the loyal band of people who worked tirelessly to ensure its future preservation.

Interestingly, these dales were the beloved haunt of James Herriot of "All Creatures Great and Small" fame, today these parts are known affectionately as Herriot Country and are mentioned in his books. He is said to have visited Gayle the day before his marriage, and returned the day after with his new wife Helen.

It would be difficult to imagine a centre more suited for exploring the great outdoors of the Yorkshire Dales than the idyllic village of Gayle.