Where to visit: Hawes
Where to visit: HAWES, North Yorkshire.
Hawes is England’s highest market town, at 850 feet above sea level, setting it in a spectacular landscape surrounded by the patchwork fields of the Yorkshire Dales.
It makes the perfect spot for cafes, family fun and a good, relaxing roam. At only a 30 minute drive from the park, enjoy the sensational journey that takes you through the classic Yorkshire Dales Landscape between Ingleborough and Whernside and past the Ribblehead viaduct, before dropping down into the Richmondshire territory.
For the families:
(But not only families – all these places are great for adults to visit too!)
Gayle Mill – A 19th century wood working mill offering guided tours, workshops and one off events like summer fairs. Plus, they have a craft shop on site with souvenirs hand made by the Mill’s very own staff.
Wensleydale Creamery – As the only real maker of Wensleydale cheese, the visitor centre at Wensleydale Creamery is a must visit if you’re heading to Hawes. Enjoy their new, family-friendly interactive visitor experience, including a cheese making gallery and find out more about the history of this cheese in their museum.
Dales Countryside Museum – Filled with interactive and hands on exhibits telling the story of the people of Hawes and the landscape they live in.
Bolton Castle – A short trip from Hawes, but well worth it. The castle offers memorable family days out with falconry events, wild boar feeding and archery.
For the roamers:
Wander the cobbled streets of this ancient market town, taking in the boutique shops, selling crafts and antiques, clothing or lovely home-wares. Enjoy a bite to eat in one of Hawes’s traditional pubs or enjoy a pot of Yorkshire tea in a quaint cafe.
Every Tuesday Hawes comes to life with its traditional market taking place in the centre of the town. Stalls are on hand selling provisions, antiques and the usual market delights including sheepskin rugs!
For the activity hunters:
Close to Hardraw Force and Aysgarth Falls, enjoy a walk to see these scenes of beauty. Hardraw Force is set in sensational woodland, and it’s claim to fame is that it is the highest single drop waterfall in England, at over 10,000 feet. Explore the waterfalls on this circular walk from the tourist information in Hawes.
Aysgarth Falls can be found near the village of Aysgarth, a short drive past Hawes. The River Ure tumbles across a series of limestone steps, creating Aysgarth Falls. Whilst these falls are not particularly high, they are one of Wensleydale’s classic beauty spots.
For more information, head to Dales Countryside Museum to find the Hawes National Park Centre, Hawes’s tourist information centre.
Credit: Welcome to Yorkshire; www.yorkshire.com
For more information, visit yorkshiredales.org.uk
