Chapel-le-Dale is a hamlet in The Yorkshire Dales, very near Ribblehead Viaduct.

The hamlet is in close proximity to Ingleborough, and on the other Whernside – two of the famous Three Peaks of Yorkshire.In the area are several potholes, the best known being Great Douk Cave & Gaping Gill.

The 17th century church of St Leonard, whose tiny interior measures only 48' x 22', hides in a wooded dell in the hamlet of Chapel-le-Dale in the Yorkshire Dales. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the church is a Dent fossilised-marble plaque. It is in memory of the men who died during the construction of the scenic Settle/Carlisle railway, which is 72 miles in length and was almost entirely hand-built with a labour force of 6,000 men
It was at Ribblehead that shanty towns grew to accommodate workers and their families whilst the line was being constructed from 1869-76. A large number of men, women and children died through epidemics and illnesses caused by the harsh living conditions and these poor souls were also buried at Chapel-le-Dale in unmarked graves.
The omission of a memorial for them was put to rights at the Millennium when one was erected in the graveyard.

Location: Chapel Le Dale

Photographer: D B Flynn