Adventure is the theme of this year’s UK-wide National Parks Week, which starts on Monday (July 25) – and there will be plenty of that in the Yorkshire Dales over the coming months.

The week of activities, which is the UK National Park family's annual celebration of Britain's breathing spaces, comes just before the Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary is extended by nearly a quarter on August 1 from 680 sq miles (1,762 sq kms) to 841 sq miles (2,179 sq kms).

And that means there will be plenty of new places for visitors to explore in the 161 sq miles of additional countryside that will be included in the National Park.

Nick Cotton, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Member Champion for Recreation Management, said: “There is always plenty to do in National Parks Week anyway but this year is special.

“On August 1 the area covered by our beautiful National Park will increase by 24 per cent as its boundary extends to include a small part of Lancashire and a larger part of Cumbria.

“The ‘new’ part of the National Park – with hundreds of miles of public rights of way, extensive areas of open access land and breath-taking views – provides ample opportunity for adventures big and small.”

The events organised by the National Park Authority this year will keep everyone entertained – whatever their age. And there are plenty of mini adventures including river dipping and making crafty things on a Wild Wednesday, kite making and being a nature detective.

National Parks UK Director Kathryn Cook said: "Our 15 wonderfully diverse National Parks offer a great range of events and activities – there really is something for everyone to enjoy. So whether you’re a thrill seeker or you are looking for something a little less energetic, we encourage you to get out and be a part of the incredible landscapes that make this country so unique."

A number of Top 15 Adventure lists have been put together offering ideas ranging from ‘Adventures for the non-adventurous’ and ‘Family-friendly adventures’ to ‘Quirky Adventures’. They and information on events taking place around the UK during National Parks Week are available at http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/visiting/national-parks-week.

National Parks Week 2016 is supported by Natural Resources Wales.

Information about events happening in the Yorkshire Dales National Park during National Parks Week is available at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/national-parks-week-events.

Events organised by the National Park Authority include:

Tuesday 26 July

National Park Event: Grassington Heritage Trail

14:00 to 16:30

Meet Grassington National Park Centre, BD23 5LB

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers on this 3 mile (4.8km) guided walk around Grassington's historical and industrial past - find out who the notorious Tom Lee was and what jakeys were.

Contact Grassington National Park Centre on 01756 751690.

National Park Event: Drystone Walling Demonstration

11:00 to 15:00

Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, DL8 3NT

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling – one of the most iconic features of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones, during five short drop-in sessions they will talk through the process of turning a pile of stones into something that will last for centuries. Included in museum admission.

Contact Hawes National Park Centre on 01969 666210.

Wednesday 27 July

National Park Event: Let's Go Fly a Kite!

11:00 to 12:00/14:00 to 15:00

Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, DL8 3NT

Let's go make a kite and fly it as well!  Join our morning or afternoon workshop. £3.

Contact Hawes National Park Centre.

National Park Event: Wild Wednesday

11:00 to 15:00

Meet Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre, DL8 3TH

Do you have what it takes to track a Bullhead? Drop in and spend a day river dipping and making crafty things with us at Aysgarth Falls. We provide all equipment and materials - all you need to bring is an adult to help you with any tricky stuff, shoes for paddling in the river and a towel.

Contact Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre on 01969 662910.

Thursday 28 July

National Park Event: Seeing Red

14:00 to 15:00

Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, DL8 3NT

Come and join Area Ranger Matt Neale to hear about red squirrel conservation work and the best places to spot squirrels in the National Park. Included in museum admission.

Contact Hawes National Park Centre.

National Park Event: Kisdon Classic Circular

11:00 to 16:00

Meet Keld Countryside & Heritage Centre, DL11 6LJ

Join our experienced Dales volunteers on this moderate 6 ½ mile (10 ½km) walk in the spectacular Swale gorge, taking in the Corpse Way and one of the finest views of the Dales. After lunch, return via the famous wildflower meadows and ruins of the ancient lead mines at Crackpot Hall.

Contact Reeth National Park Centre on 01748 884059.

Friday 29 July

National Park Event: Bugs Galore

13:00 to 16:00

Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, DL8 3NT

Become a nature detective: use a magnifying glass and identify what you can find living in the woods or in our very own high rise bug hotel. Learn how to create the perfect habitat. Part of our Fun Friday events programme. Included in museum admission.

Contact Hawes National Park Centre.

National Park Event: In the Kitchen

11:00 to 15:00

Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, DL8 3NT

Join us in our traditional farmhouse kitchen where costumed Friends of the Museum will explain the work that went on there. Included in Museum admission.

Contact Hawes National Park Centre.

Saturday 30 July

National Park Event: Walk Through Time

13:30 to 16:30

Meet Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, DL8 3NT

Learn all about the history of the landscape from prehistoric time to now on this 3 mile circular walk. Part of the Festival of Archaeology. Adult £5, child free.

Contact Hawes National Park Centre.

National Park Event: An Industrial Gem – The Hoffmann Kiln

13:00 to 16:30

Meet Knight Stainforth Caravan & Camping Site, BD24 0DP (SD 815 672)

An easy 4½ mile (7.2km) walk alongside the Ribble, with its relics of an industrial past, to Langcliffe and the impressive Hoffmann Kiln, a hidden archaeological gem.

Contact Malham National Park Centre on 01729 833200.

Sunday 31 July

National Park Event: Magical Moths

11:00 to 16:00

Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, DL8 3NT

Drop in to see moths up close, learn how to identify these beautiful creatures and talk to knowledgeable staff and volunteers about moths in the National Park. Included in museum admission.

Contact Hawes National Park Centre.

National Park Event: Falls, Freeholders and Flagstones

13:00 to 16:30

Meet Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre, DL8 3TH

An easy 5 mile (8km) walk around the fascinating landscape of Carperby parish. Join our experienced Dales Volunteers to discover its geology, history, culture and industrial heritage. Why not arrive early and have lunch in the Centre’s Coppice Café before you set off.

Contact Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre.

National Park Event: By Castle & Byway

10:00 to 15:30

Meet Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre, DL8 3TH

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers for an easy 7 mile (11.3 km) walk along byways and field paths between historic Bolton Castle, with its picturesque village and fine views across to Pen Hill, and Aysgarth Falls, the jewel of Lower Wensleydale.

Contact Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre.

National Park Event: Dent Town Trail

13:30 to 16:00

Meet Dent car park, LA10 5QL (SD704871)

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers on this short easy 1 ½ mile (2.4km) guided walk looking at historic buildings and the story of the dale and its people, including Adam Sedgwick, the Terrible Knitters and the Dent Vampire.

Contact Hawes National Park Centre.