“Good to see you again guys!”

My audience is a field of sheep; an oblivious crowd but that doesn’t deter me from waving happily to every one of ‘em. It feels so very, very good to be back in the North.

The Yorkshire Dales is the perfect place to recharge. And boy, was one needed.

Early December is hectic in my industry. But who am kidding…I do get a kick out of the elevated pace of things. Flying around, trying to close out top priorities before we all dash away for the Christmas holidays.

The less fun bit is managing workloads coupled with unsolicited servings of office politics. Bla. Let’s fast-forward from talk of corporate chess – we are a world away…

I find myself at the door of what looks like heaven – a cosy countryside inn located in a small Yorkshire village.

Fresh snow carpets the ground outside. It’s absolutely freezing in England. But the soft glow of decorative Christmas lights  warms me up immediately.

Yep, a weekend escape to the Dales is always a great idea.

Here’s what a beautiful December weekend in this pocket of Yorkshire looked like…

Staying at a family-owned bed-and-breakfast dating back to the 16th century

Take it slow.

This was my weekend mantra and I fully embraced the prescribed vibe.

It felt so good to start the days with a kind host serving me wonderfully fresh, organic breakfasts, and ending them with quiet evening moments by the fireplace.

Visiting the local Christmas market…and a special twist

“The Christmas Grotto is open! Head over to our Christmas Grotto now!” bellowed a gentleman suited up in full Victorian costume.

It was the last weekend of the nearby Christmas market in the town of Grassington and I’d stumbled upon a special one. Turns out I was at a ‘Dickensian market’. I had no idea!

What would a stroll down these cobbled streets look like on a festive afternoon back in the day… What do you recall, Charles Dickens?

With Victorian street performers entertaining the crowds with traditional song and dance, of course!

Taking long walks in Yorkshire Dales National Park

Christmas markets are such an incredible way to ignite your holiday spirit, aren’t they?

But there was one other activity at the top of my list: discovering more of Yorkshire Dales National Park by foot. How could I stay among some of the prettiest landscapes in the country and not take advantage of the surrounding trails?

According to a few hasty checks on AllTrails app at breakfast, I’d landed in a brilliant location. This area was home to some of the best walks in the Dales.

In December, Mother Nature sure had a different glow.

Leaves glistened with snow.

An incredibly serene walk through Grassington meadows eventually led onto the banks of the River Wharfe…

As surprising as it may sound – even with frigid temperatures – a weekend in the Yorkshire Dales in December was just as spectacular as it is in the warmer seasons. Yep.

Who left here with their soul nicely replenished? I did!

Until we meet again, my special friend.