Hawes campsites

By far the best known attraction in Hawes is the Wensleydale Creamery, home of Wensleydale cheese. The centre offers cheese making demonstrations, a small museum and viewing gallery, cafe and shops.

The Tuesday street market is not to be missed, with both indoor and outdoor stalls, it is as popular with the locals as it is with the visitors, you can stock up on great local produce and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. 

For breath taking scenery and walks Aysgarth Falls hosts a Green Tourism Awarded visitor centre from which you can begin your adventure with expert guidance and directions. The falls are well worth the minor trek with 3 tiered limestone steps, and there are scenic walks aplenty with lots of natural wildlife.

There are some fantastic walking trails in the area, both within the Town and further afield. The Hawes Town Trail is a guided walk which takes you past all the major sites of the town, while the Millennium Walk, Pennine Way and walks along the River Ure will take you further out into the countryside.

Just outside the town you will find Hardraw Force, England’s highest above ground single drop waterfall, with a plunge of 100 foot. It’s a short easy walk to the waterfall through the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn.

High Force Waterfall, England's largest waterfall, suddenly and spectacularly drops 70 feet into the plunge pool below. The pretty woodland walk is approximately 1/3 of a mile, with several resting points along the way. It is a gently sloping gravel path. As you begin the descent down the gentle slope the well maintained path twists and turns giving a different view every few yards. The muffled rumble suddenly turns to a roar and the sights astounds you.

Located in the town are the traditional ropemakers Outhwaites Ltd, worth popping into for 20 minutes or so. It’s mesmerising standing in front of the machines watching rope being made. There are machines making braids of all thicknesses and lengths from church bell ropes to skipping ropes. And if you’ve got a dog, their leads are available to buy and very popular.

For a touch of history, The Dales Countryside Museum is a small local museum that focusses on the Yorkshire Dales and its people. Housed in the old railway station you’ll find exhibits ranging from Bronze Age spearheads to a Victorian smithy. Outside there are railway carriages with activities for younger children.

Looking for more history head to Bolton Castle. This extraordinary 14th century castle is one of the best preserved castles in the country, originally built as one of the finest homes in the land the castle scars over 600 years of fascinating history. The castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens, over 20acres of land that enjoys fine views and romantic spiral stairways.

Find out more about the glorious Dales at the Dales Countryside Museum. With loads of fun and interesting things for visitors of all ages to see and do, the Museum offers the chance to discover what is so unique about the Yorkshire Dales. Highlights include being able to step back in time to find out why creatures like rhinos, elephants and hippos once roamed the area.

Stage 1 is an innovative family run cycling hub located in the heart of beautiful Wensleydale, offering affordable hire, repairs and supported tours. In addition to regular off-road and road bikes we have trailers, tag along and junior bikes for hire, ensuring there is a way for everyone to participate.

Stainmore Railway Company Ltd has loads of different locomotives to check out, including one from the National Railway Museum Collection.  There is a small museum where you can find out more about some of the engines on site and look at a variety of memorabilia. 

The Hunt Fun Kirkby Stephen trail will lead you all over town, to local landmarks and down every intriguing nook and cranny. It’s basically exploring made easy!

Venture underground and explore one of the show caves at Stump Cross Caverns; one of Britain's premier show caves, Ingleborough; with well-laid floodlit concrete paths these caves are accessible for pushchairs or White Scar Cave, the longest show cave in Britain: with guided tours taking 80 minutes and covers one mile.

For something a little different visit Black Sheep Brewery and take a guided tour of the brewery and find out how they brew their famous ales. Afterwards relax over a delicious meal at the Black Sheep Bar & Bistro.

Or a little further afield you’ll find Theakstons Brewery, an independently family run brewery where you can take a tour and experience the craft and skill that goes into each and every pint. A short drive will take you to Barnard Castle in Teesdlae, and Harrogate which is famed for its spa waters, Betty's tearooms, and the RHS Harlow Carr gardens.