GRASSINGTON heart of the YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK
Grassington is a small market town in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire. It is the main tourism centre of Upper Wharfedale. Centred around its small cobbled square is a selection of shops offering food, clothing and gifts, alongside small cafes, restaurants and hotels. The town is about 10 miles from Bolton Abbey and is surrounded by the beautiful limestone scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Nearby villages include Linton, Threshfield, Hebden, Conistone and Kilnsey.
Although often described by local people as a village, Grassington was granted a Royal Charter for a market and fair in 1282 giving it market town status. The market was held regularly until about 1860.
Grassington Festival is a two week long annual event that includes music, performance and visual arts. These are held in a variety of venues around the town. In 2008 the festival included acts by Jo Brand, Dara O'Briain, Clare Teal and Toyah Wilcox.
A Yorkshire Dales National Park information centre is on Hebden Road.
Three miles north of Grassington at Kilnsey is the dramatic, glacially carved overhang of Kilnsey Crag.
Grass Woods, a large area of ancient woodland including the Iron-Age fort, Fort Gregory (also known as Gregory's Fort), is situated just over one mile north-west of Grassington.
The town has a large visitors car park situated just outside the centre. Most visitors arrive by car, or on foot on a hiking trek. The local countryside is very popular with hikers.