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Access the Dales Deaf Experience: From Leeds to Ribblehead
- accessthedales
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
On a fresh morning in Leeds, a group of eager adventurers gathered at the bustling train station. This wasn’t an ordinary outing. It was a very special day hosted by Access the Dales, designed specifically as a Deaf EXperience, ensuring that every member of the group could fully participate, share, and enjoy the journey together.
Waiting at the concourse was Debbie, our Founder. Alongside her stood a professional BSL (British Sign Language) interpreter, ready to bridge communication throughout the day. The presence of both leadership and interpretation signalled exactly what Access the Dales stands for: making the countryside open, accessible, and welcoming to all.
All Aboard: Leeds to Ribblehead
Our journey began with the train north, leaving behind the city’s hum and steadily winding into the wild beauty of Yorkshire. The excitement was tangible as the group found seats, shared introductions in sign, and pointed out views as the suburbs gave way to rolling green fields.
The train line to Ribblehead is famous for its views, but for our group, the anticipation was more than scenic. This was about shared experience — exploring the outdoors together, with access designed in from the start. With the interpreter signing announcements and conversations, everyone was able to follow along and feel included.
A Warm Welcome at Ribblehead Station
Arriving at Ribblehead, we were warmly greeted by Janet and her team of volunteers at the charming station café. Known far and wide for her home baking, Janet had prepared a spread of tea and cake that was just what we needed before heading out into the wind. Her fruit cake, in particular, has something of a local reputation, and it certainly lived up to its fame — rich, moist, and full of flavour.
The welcome at the café set the tone for the day: community, generosity, and shared enjoyment. Over cups of steaming tea and slices of cake, the group began to settle in and prepare for the adventure ahead.
First Impressions of Ribblehead
Stepping outside the café, the group’s attention turned immediately to the Ribblehead Viaduct, one of the most iconic landmarks in the Yorkshire Dales. For many of our group, it was their very first visit to Ribblehead, and the sight of the sweeping arches against the moorland was breathtaking.
The weather, true to Yorkshire form, was wet and windy. Raincoats were pulled tight, hoods went up, and there was laughter at the thought that the elements would test our determination. Far from dampening spirits, the wild weather added drama to the landscape and made the day even more memorable.
Meeting Our Guides
At the station, the group was introduced to Jonathan, our walk guide for the day. His knowledge of the paths, the terrain, and the local stories ensured we were in safe hands. We were also joined by one of the Settle–Carlisle line volunteers, who gave a fascinating introduction to the history of the viaduct.
Through the interpreter, we learned how the structure was built in the 1870s by a huge workforce, many of whom lived in temporary shanty towns nearby. The volunteer’s passion for the railway and its history shone through, and the group asked questions in BSL about the challenges of such a massive project in such a remote place. Standing there with the arches rising above us, history felt alive and immediate.
Walking the Dales: From the Viaduct to Ingleborough
From the base of the viaduct, we set out across the moorland, crossing over towards the Ingleborough National Nature Reserve. The walk revealed a dramatic and rugged landscape, shaped by centuries of weather and glaciation. Despite the rain, the colours of the moors — muted greens, browns, and occasional bursts of heather — seemed to glow under the shifting clouds.
Jonathan led us along carefully chosen paths, making sure the group moved at a comfortable pace. Clear stops were planned so that everyone could gather in a circle, making it easy for the interpreter to sign and for people to watch one another. These pauses became moments of learning: Jonathan explained the unique limestone geology, while others pointed out birds wheeling overhead or the tiny alpine flowers clinging to the rocks.
At the reserve, Debbie shared why places like Ingleborough are so important for both wildlife and people. It’s one of the most diverse sites in the Dales, home to rare plants, rich mosses, and a landscape that tells the story of both natural history and human use over thousands of years. For many in the group, this was their very first visit, and their excitement was obvious as they explored the windswept reserve.
Powered by the Wild Ingleborough Project
The day was made possible thanks to support from the Wild Ingleborough Project, an ambitious partnership working to restore nature and tackle the climate crisis. By rewilding parts of the landscape around Ingleborough, the project is helping to create thriving habitats for wildlife, improve carbon storage in peatlands, and make the countryside more resilient to change.
Equally important, Wild Ingleborough is about connecting people with nature. By funding experiences like this Deaf-led day, the project ensures that the benefits of wild places are shared widely and inclusively. It was inspiring to know that our walk was not only enjoyable but also part of a bigger vision for the future of the Dales.
Why Deaf Experiences Matter
This Deaf Experience wasn’t just a day out in the countryside. It was a statement: that the outdoors belongs to everyone. Too often, Deaf people face barriers in group activities — missed information, lack of interpreters, or the assumption that accessibility is an afterthought. By embedding BSL interpretation into the very heart of the day, Access the Dales showed that inclusion is not complicated when it’s planned from the beginning.
Debbie summed it up beautifully. “Our goal,” she signed through the interpreter, “is simple: to make sure nobody is excluded from enjoying the beauty of the Dales. That means providing the right support, the right equipment, and the right mindset.”
Her words resonated deeply. Accessibility isn’t charity — it’s equality. And equality makes the experience richer for everyone.
Final Thoughts
The Access the Dales/ Deaf EXperience at Ribblehead was more than a walk; it was a celebration of connection. It showed that when barriers are removed, the countryside becomes a place where everyone can belong — a place not just of landscapes, but of shared human stories.
For the Deaf community, having experiences led with full access makes a world of difference. And for those of us privileged to take part, it was a reminder that true inclusion is not about special treatment, but about creating space where everyone can thrive.
As we stepped back onto the platform at Leeds, the smiles said it all: this was only the beginning.
