Kilnsey - a beautiful peaceful spot with a rich history

You could easily drive through Kilnsey in Wharfedale and barely realise you've been to the village, but you're very unlikely to miss its most distinctive feature. Kilnsey Crag is 170 feet high with a dramatic 40 ft overhang. Look closely and you're likely to see climbers tackling the challenge.

​As you'd expect, the views from the top of the crag are stunning. J.M.W. Turner enjoyed visiting in 1816, recording his view in a sketch. The Tennants Arms pub sits in the shadow of the crag.

Close by is the entrance to Kilnsey Park an attraction originally focused around the fishing ponds, and which now features children's activities, fun fishing, opportunities to get close up to farm animals, cafe and a programme of activities. Owners, Amy and Jamie Roberts are passionate about helping visitors to enjoy and understand Yorkshire Dales nature and wildlife, and have a red squirrel breeding programme.

Alice de Romillie, heiress of Skipton Castle gave a large piece of land at Kilnsey to the monks at Fountains Abbey. It's thought that the Old Hall in Kilnsey was once an administrative centre for Fountains Abbey monks who used the ancient spring wells and bred fish at Kilnsey Park, as well as farming enormous flocks of sheep.

Kilnsey's history goes back even further, to Roman times, with the creation of Mastiles Lane, a Roman marching road which then became an important drovers' route to take sheep from Fountains Abbey to summer pastures. It's now a much loved walking route.

Kilnsey Show has been delighted visitors since 1897. It takes place on the Tuesday after the August bank holiday and has remained true to its original aims to promote and showcase farming in the Yorkshire Dales.