Settle is a relatively small Market Town located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. The District Council is Craven and the County Council is North Yorkshire.

The current population of Settle Parish is in the region of 2100. However Settle provides a centre for goods and services to a much larger population with many outlying villages having Settle as their nearest town.  Settle also has many tourists and day visitors, particularly in the summer. There are a number of large camping and caravan grounds nearby and the area is very popular with walkers, cyclists and outdoor pursuits.

Settle station is an important part of the town’s economy. 40 to 50 rail commuters travel each day to Leeds and West Yorkshire with a further number travelling by car towards Lancashire and Manchester.

The Settle-Carlisle Railway is used by almost 750,000 passengers each year. Settle station has an annual footfall of around 250,000 and is for many people the first access point into and out of the town. For that reason we are particularly anxious that the station remains as welcoming as possible and we have a number of organisations which we have to thank for the high standards maintained at the station.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary is extremely close to the edge of Settle. Whilst we are usually as being referred to as in the Dales, most of Settle is in fact outside of the National Park boundary.

Outdoor activities are a vital part of the attraction of the town with residents and visitors enjoying the space and the inclusion of cycling and walking. We are now also able to offer the Settle Loop for horse riders and mountain bikers.

Yorkshire Forward has invested in the town with the Renaissance Market Town scheme. Various projects have been identified and funding has already enabled finger posts to be commissioned and information boards.

It is hoped that some larger projects such as the riverside walk and art train will be completed with the next year or so.