⚠️ Archived Content
This page relates to the 2019–2024 National Park Management Plan, which is now archived. For the latest aims and objectives, please visit the 2025–30 Management Plan landing page.
Promote the Yorkshire Dales National Park as a leading sustainable tourism destination, including enhancing the locations of four National Park Visitor Centres to create ‘visitor hubs’ that promote local distinctiveness and assist destination promotion for local activities, accommodation, food and itineraries.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: Over the last 5 years, all four National Park centres have been enhanced to create ‘visitor hubs’. This includes physical infrastructure including orientation boards with waymarked walks, as well as staff and volunteers who engage with visitors outside the centres provide a welcome and offer information about the local area to support local businesses. ‘Changing Places’ accessible toilet facilities have been installed at Hawes and Grassington.
Rationale: There is increasing evidence that visitors are looking for unique holiday ‘experiences’. Well-designed visitor hubs would provide opportunities to promote local distinctiveness and the ‘offer’ of each individual dale, giving visitors easy access to information in each locality.
Lead partner: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority;
Supporting partners: North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council;
Further information: YDNPA – National Park Visitor Centres
Cost over 5 years: £400,000
Funding shortfall: £200,000
Related objectives: A3; B1; B6; B9; C1; C2; E5; E6; E9; F6; F7,
Ecosystem services: Recreation;
Trade-offs: None
Baseline: No visitor hubs.