Today the Yorkshire Dales National Park welcomes over eight million visitors every year, all of them attracted by its special qualities of natural beauty, wildlife, cultural heritage and by the recreational opportunities it offers.
Whilst tourism certainly benefits the local area in economic terms, the sheer volume of visitors does have an impact on the environment.
The landscape is not indestructible and issues such as traffic congestion, parking, tourism development, litter, footpath erosion, problems for farmers, disturbance for local people can all lead to problems for the National Park.
There is a growing concern that our enjoyment of the countryside today should not put at risk the enjoyment of others tomorrow and a desire to make sure that tourism is 'sustainable'.
Here are some tips on what you can do as an individual to make sure your visit doesn't have a negative impact on the environment.
- Follow the Countryside Code
- Enjoy the countryside but respect its lifestyles, work and customs. Over 99% of land within the National Park is privately owned and much of it is agricultural. Farmers make their living from the land we use for recreation.
- Use your car less - the vast majority of visits to the National Park are made by car. Why not make use of the many excellent bus and train connections to and within the Dales, and explore the National Park on foot, bicycle or horseback? If you're here on holiday, set aside one or two days when you give your car a holiday too by using other modes of transport. Take at look at the Travel information section of this website for information about public transport in this area.
- If you do drive to or within the National Park, take special care when driving on narrow roads, especially during lambing time in April and May and park thoughtfully and, where available, use car parks so that local people can still park outside their homes.
- Stay overnight rather than making day visits - this reduces travel and boosts the economy
- Support local skills, services and produce by shopping locally rather than bringing food with you. Use village services and post offices to help boost the economy and keep local businesses alive. This increases the number of jobs and improves the quality of life for local people.
- Protect wild animals, trees and other plants. Leave wild flowers for others to enjoy. Avoid disturbing birds and other animals particularly during the breeding season from March until June.
- Respect other people's peace and quiet.
- Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone
- Guard against risk of fire. A discarded cigarette or the remains of a barbecue can wipe out the wildlife of a heather moor.
- Keep your dog under close control, preferably on a lead. On access land dogs must be kept on a lead during the bird breeding season from 1 March to 31 July and at all times when in the vicinity of livestock.
- When walking in the countryside use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls. Avoid trampling meadow grass by staying in single file through meadows in summer. Grass is winter food for sheep and cattle.
- Take advantage of the many Dales Bus Discounts on offer for public transport users throughout the Yorkshire Dales. Visit our Travel Dales website for details (opens in new window).
- Consider making a donation to conservation projects in the Yorkshire Dales, through the Donate to the Dales scheme.
For more information visit the Donate to the Dales website(opens in new window).
