Attractions and Places To See around Middleton - Top 20

Middleton is home to several highly-rated natural attractions. Visitors particularly enjoy Whernside Summit, the highest of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks, offering expansive views. Another favorite is The Calf Summit (Howgill Fells), known for its green, flat-topped hill and panoramic views. For stunning waterfalls, Thornton Force waterfall and Low Force Waterfall (Force Gill) are highly recommended.

Yes, Sedbergh Town Centre is a notable historical settlement. Known as England's official book town, it features independent shops, cobbled lanes, and a charming old-world feel, making it a delightful place to explore.

The area around Middleton offers excellent opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. You can find numerous hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult. For example, there are routes like the 'Calf Top and Holy Ghost Church loop from Barbon' for challenging hikes, or easier options such as the 'Barbon Village – Barbon Beck loop'. Road cycling is also popular, with routes like 'Lanes Into Dentdale' available. You can explore more options on the Hiking around Middleton and Road Cycling Routes around Middleton guide pages.

Yes, several attractions are suitable for families. Sedbergh Town Centre is considered family-friendly, offering a pleasant environment for strolling and exploring shops. Additionally, Low Force Waterfall (Force Gill) is described as a great family-friendly walk, leading to a beautiful waterfall that makes for a wonderful rest stop.

Visitors frequently praise the breathtaking views from the summits. From Whernside Summit, you can see across the Yorkshire Dales, and on clear days, even Blackpool Tower. The sense of achievement after completing a climb, especially seeing other peaks like Pen Y Ghent and Ingleborough, is a common highlight. The Calf Summit also offers extensive panoramas of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and the Lake District skyline.

Yes, Thornton Force waterfall is a popular spot for wild swimming. Many visitors enjoy taking a refreshing dip in the pool below the falls, especially when the weather is fine. It's a beautiful rocky amphitheater, though it can get busy during peak times.

For easy walks, you can find several suitable trails. The 'Barbon Village – Barbon Beck loop' from St Bartholomew (6.3 km) and the 'Barbon Village – Barbon Beck loop' from Barbon (6.4 km) are both rated as easy hikes. Another easy option is the 'Settlebeck Gill – Sedbergh Town Centre loop' (3.1 km). More easy routes are listed on the Easy hikes around Middleton guide page.

Sedbergh Town Centre is unique for being England's official book town. It boasts a fine collection of new, second-hand, and collectors' bookshops, alongside its historic houses and cobbled streets, offering a distinctive charm for visitors.

Absolutely. For those seeking a challenge, the 'Calf Top and Holy Ghost Church loop from Barbon' is a difficult 21.7 km hike. The ascent to Whernside Summit, while having a steady incline, involves a steep descent, making a hiking stick advisable, especially in wet conditions. The path to The Calf Summit (Howgill Fells) also offers a challenging ascent past Cautley Holme Beck.

Thornton Force waterfall is a magnificent 14-meter drop, popular for its beauty and wild swimming opportunities, but it can get very busy. Low Force Waterfall (Force Gill), despite its name, has a higher drop than High Force and offers a beautiful, less crowded alternative if you follow the path alongside Force Gill. Both are impressive spectacles worth visiting.

In Sedbergh Town Centre, visitors highly recommend Smatt's Duo cafe and the Black Bull Inn for delicious food, especially after a hike. The town center itself offers various local shops and restaurants.