Yorkshire, The White Rose County
YORKSHIRE - WEST RIDING
County Town - Wakefield
The biggest of the Three Ridings (coloured red on the map left), in which the bulk of the population is concentrated in the wool manufacturing district around Leeds and Bradford, and the coal and steel area near Sheffield.
Scenically, the finest parts are in the north-west, where the great Pennine peaks of Ingleborough near Ingleton, Pen-y-Ghent near Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Whernside near Dent , and Great Whernside near Kettlewell are found, while the grey limestone Craven country, noted for its caves, or potholes, is seen at its most impressive at the spectacular Malham Cove, and the nearby Gordale Scar. Some of the loveliest of the Yorkshire Dales are situated in the Riding, among them being the remote Dentdale, with the quaint village of Dent; picturesque Wharfedale, wild in the lofty upper reaches, and exhibiting perhaps its greatest charms between Grassington and Bolton Bridge; and Niddersdale, with the pretty Gouthwaite reservoir beyond Pateley Bridge.
Both Harrogate and Ilkley have achieved fame as inland watering-places, and the Cathedral City of Ripon is of much interest.
Among the notable ecclesiastical buildings of the West Riding are the Abbeys of Fountains, Kirkstall and Selby, in addition to a large number of exceptionally fine parish churches, dating from all periods. The numerous old Halls include such splendid examples as Fountains, Heath near Wakefield, Markenfield near Ripon, and Temple Newsam at Leeds, while the picturesque interior courtyard of the Tudor portion of Skipton Castle is perhaps the loveliest of its kind.
(The AA - Road Book of England & Wales, 1953)
