Lonsdale is a quiet valley, east of Great Ayton. It owes much of its piece and quiet to a kink in the Cleveland Way, which turns left on the southern edge of the dale to visit Captain Cook's Monument on Easby Moor, before cutting across the head of the dale and onto Great Ayton Moor.
Lonsdale is something of a pastural oasis surrounded by high moors. The views from Percy Cross Riggm which flanks the dale to the east, are some of the most extensive
Lonsdale Beck runs east down the dale, before turning south to join the River Leven in Kildale, so although the dale itself from west to east, its waters drain west, eventually flowing into the Tees, while neighbouring Sleddale to the east draings into the Esk.
The road through Lonsdale can be reached by car from Great Ayton (take the road to the station, then continue on up Ayton Banks), or from Kildale village (again take the road to the station, but this time turn right almost immediately).
Grid Reference: NZ 5910 to NZ 6110
There is a car park at the head of the dale, where the Cleveland Way crosses the dale.