We kicked off 2025 in the best way possible, spending a week exploring the stunning Yorkshire Dales in our trusty camper van, Gandalf. From canal-side walks and dramatic limestone landscapes to hearty pub meals and cozy van nights, it was a New Year’s adventure to remember.
Day 1–3: Cononley, Gargrave & Skipton
Our journey began in the quaint village of Cononley, where we parked up at Riverside Campsite for three nights. This peaceful spot made a great base for exploring, and we wasted no time getting acquainted with the village’s two pubs—essential research, of course!
The next day, a short £5 return train journey whisked us to Gargrave, a picture-perfect village. After a delicious Yorkshire tapas lunch at The Masons Arms, we set off on a 5-mile canal walk along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Skipton. Low clouds couldn’t dull the charm of this scenic route. Once in Skipton, we celebrated with pints at The Woolly Sheep before returning to the van for a homemade curry.
The following day, we opted for another canal-side walk, this time from Cononley to Skipton. We explored Skipton’s cobbled streets, popped into the dog-friendly Skipton Castle, and enjoyed drinks at The Castle Inn. It was another great day and we really loved Skipton and the immediate surrounding areas.
Day 4: Malham’s Natural Wonders
Next, we moved campsites and en route couldn’t resist heading into Malham, where we embarked on a classic and well loved 5.5-mile walk through some of the Dales’ most iconic landmarks. Malham Cove, with its dramatic cliffs, awesome limestone pavement, and natural amphitheater formed by a prehistoric waterfall, was a highlight. From there, we visited Gordale Scar, an impressive gorge shaped by ancient glaciers. It was an unforgettable day of awe-inspiring scenery despite the absolute howling wind! After our Malham day, we continued the short distance to our next Campsite, and home for the next 3 nights, Dalesbridge Campsite.
Day 5–6: New Year’s Eve at Dalesbridge
We welcomed New Year’s Eve at the Dalesbridge Campsite, where torrential rain and gusty winds didn’t dampen our spirits. Instead, we took the opportunity to just stop and unwind, leaning into the slow paced van life vibes with board games, festive food, and plenty of wine. Our New Year’s menu included a prawn cocktail starter, cheese boards, butcher’s steaks from Skipton, and even a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The night was cozy despite the less-than-ideal campsite conditions (muddy pitches, huge site wide drainage issue, horrendous showers and noisy neighbours). We weren’t fans of the campsite at all, despite being steeped with history (a former Scarlett Fever hospital) the place seemed run down and not our sort of place at all. The highlight? Catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights on NYD.
Day 7: Dent & Ribblehead Viaduct
Our final stop was the charming village of Dent, known for its cobbled streets and picturesque setting. A detour due to road closures led us to the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, where we captured stunning drone shots of the towering arches against the rugged Dales landscape. We also made a stop at Dent station, the highest mainline station in England.
In Dent, we took a peaceful but stunning 3-mile walk around Dentdale before winding down with a couple of drinks at the cozy George and Dragon pub. We’d have liked to have visited historic The Sun Inn, but like our last visit 5 years ago, it was closed! Dinner was a delicious Beef stew that had been cooking in slow cooker and was perfect considering it was -5 outside! Though High Laning Campsite was basic and a bit overpriced, the charm of Dent made up for it. Of we return, we’d pick Mill Beck CL over High Laning, which is a basic Certified site which offers much more space at a fraction of the price, but it would have to be during the summer months.
Final Stop: A Night in York
Before heading home, we couldn’t resist spending a Friday night in York, one of our favorite cities. We had been booked into the C&MC club site but it got cancelled due to flooding. So we stayed at York Caravan Park, an adults-only site with top-notch showers and easy access to the city via the late into the evening-running Coastliner bus.
Our evening began at the historic Black Swan Inn, known for its timber-framed charm and ghostly reputation. We visited the Roman Bath museum, situated underneath a pub! And took a stroll down the cobbled Shambles, such tourists, but we love it there, so we stopped for drinks in two historic taverns down The Shambles before meeting up with our pal Gary for dinner at his local.
We rounded out the night with pints at The Blue Boar, famously linked to Dick Turpin, (after his trial and execution for horse theft in 1739, his body was laid to rest in the cellar of this pub for public viewing!) and finished at The Three-Legged Mare, which hosts a lively Friday folk music night. The welcoming atmosphere (and dog-friendly vibe!) made it the perfect end to our trip.
Final Thoughts
From the dramatic limestone cliffs of Malham Cove to the charm of Skipton’s cobbled streets, the Yorkshire Dales delivered unforgettable scenery, cozy pubs, and a true sense of escape. Even the rain couldn’t dampen the magic of our New Year adventure.
Winter camping in a VW campervan comes with unique challenges. Campsites ranged from basic but practical, like Riverside Campsite (£20 pn, hot showers for £1), to disappointing, such as Dalesbridge (£38 pn, flooded pitches, cold showers) and High Laning in Dent (31.50 pn, cramped pitches, restrictive EHU rules, and extra charges). York Caravan Park stood out for its pristine facilities and luxurious showers but came with a hefty £48 pn price tag and limited EHU. We’ve realized that in winter, comfort matters more—heated facilities, unlimited EHU, and reliable showers are non-negotiable. Going forward, we’ll likely opt for premium sites to ensure a hassle-free stay. What are your winter camping essentials?
Read more about our campsite in this trip Read more about the campsites on this trip here
Stay tuned for more road trips with Gandalf the VW as we explore the UK and beyond! 🚐✨
#YorkshireDales #VanLifeAdventures #NewYearTrip #MalhamCove #SkiptonCastle #RibbleheadViaduct #DentVillage #VanLife
