Adventure playground
‘‘ Obstacles included rock crawls, gravel ascents and stone steps. I was terrified
nearly 900 years, first by monks and later by farmers’ wives. Today you can learn about Yorkshire Wensleydale’s story at the visitor experience and – Covid restrictions permitting – enjoy tastings and demonstrations. (A restricted visitor experience currently operates. £1.95 adult, under-12s free, wensleydale.co.uk)
Afterwards we tried out a Cluedothemed treasure trail around Hawes and neighbouring Gayle, which you can download or have sent to you. (£9.99. treasuretrails.co.uk)
Our task was to find the killer of fictional cheesemaker Dale Wensleydale by following clues to eliminate suspects and weapons.
The next day we drove an hour to Skipton for a rural pursuit on four wheels.
The Coniston Hotel has more than three miles of specially designed tracks to train and challenge you in 4x4 off-road driving in a Land
Rover Defender 110. Our instructor James Barrett started by explaining how Defenders could tackle virtually any surface and even drive sideways along slopes of up to 35 degrees.
Obstacles included gravel ascents, rock crawls, rutted descents, extreme side slopes, a pond and even a set of stone steps. I was terrified.
The trick, James reassured me, was to find the biting point of the clutch then simply take your feet off the pedals and let the car do the work.
Under James’s expert guidance I slung the car around and never once felt in danger. The most difficult bit was avoiding the temptation to slam my feet on the brake and clutch as we lurched sideways or downhill.
Tim, Harvey and Max also had a go while Rosie and Freddie were let loose in an automatic John Deere Gator.
It was a fantastic experience that pushed us all out of our comfort zones. (Adult experience from £69, junior drive age 10-plus from £59, theconistonhotel.com)
On our way back we stopped at the thundering Hardraw Force, England’s largest single drop waterfall. There’s a small charge for access via the Green Dragon Inn but it’s well worth it. (Adult £4, child £2, hardrawforce. com/waterfall.html)
Our last stop was Forbidden
Corner, an ornamental garden containing a labyrinth of tunnels, grottos and mazes with giant statues and concealed water cannons. (Adult £13.50, child £11.50, theforbiddencorner.co.uk)
Hidden away in the Tupgill Park estate in Coverdale, it started as hobby for owner Colin Armstrong before being opened to the public.
It’s like a huge playground – just like the Dales themselves.