The Yorkshire Dales is an area of high ground in North and West Yorkshire, UK.
Although many valleys all over Yorkshire are called "(name-of-river)dale", such as Airedale or Calderdale, the Yorkshire Dales are usually deemed to be those valleys north of the Wharfe. In recent years most of this area has been designated a National Park. The dales themselves are 'U' and 'V' shaped valleys cut in flat limestone pavement. The characteristic scenery is green upland pastures separated by dry-stone walls and grazed by sheep and cattle.
The moors above are covered with heather and famed for grouse shooting in the months following August 12 each year (the 'Glorious Twelfth').
See also: