Out & About
Hawes is a vibrant, bustling market town - a self-sustaining working community – set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. It is home to the Wensleydale Creamery and Dales Museum, a renowned Ropemakers and weekly sheep auctions. Within a stone’s throw of the cottage are good pubs serving great food, cafes, independent shops, traditional food stores and antique shops. It’s surrounded by wonderful walking country.
Local Places To Eat
In Town
Hawes itself has numerous places where you can get a bite to eat. There are four pubs: The Board Inn, The Crown, The Fountain and The White Hart, all of which serve food. The White Hart, in particular, has been praised by previous guests, especially for its Sunday dinners.
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In addition to the pubs, there is an Indian restaurant, various cafes and takeaway outlets.
A Short Drive Away
Simon Stone Hall Hotel, offers lunches made with local, seasonal produce, and afternoon tea and dinner.
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Stone House Hotel, located in nearby Sedbusk. This always gets good reviews and offers lunches and a full evening menu.
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Yorebridge House in Bainbridge. This is a luxury boutique hotel which offers afternoon tea and 3-course dinners.
Some Places To Go
The landscape of the Yorkshire Dales National Park has been carved by thousands of years of erosion and glacial activity, into miles of rolling river valleys, deep ravines, cascading waterfalls, caves and limestone pavements.
Nearby
Aysgarth Falls, which is a 20 minute drive from Hawes, is a marvellous flight of 3 broad limestone steps over which water cascades in the shade of a wooded valley. The beauty of the falls captured the imagination of Turner, Ruskin and Wordsworth and continues to be popular with visitors today.
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Hardraw Falls is a smaller cascading waterfall – but with a pub next door – and offers an
ideal lazy Sunday morning walk from the cottage.
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Another destination not to miss is in Hawes itself; the Wensleydale Creamery. Here visitors can learn about the production of Wallace and Gromit’s favourite cheese.
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Another short walk from the cottage is the converted Hawes Railway Station. This is home to the Dales Countryside Museum which shares stories of the people and landscape of the Yorkshire Dales.
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The restored Gayle Mill is also a lovely step back in time.
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And just up the dale from Aysgarth, Bolton Castle is also worth a visit during your stay. With wild boar on the estate, a shop and a tea room, this is a grand pit stop in the heart of the Dales.
Up To An Hour Away...
Richmond & Easby Hall
A 12th century Norman settlement enriched by fine Georgian architecture, Richmond holds a beautiful position on the banks of the River Swale. It is a character town, populated by friendly pubs and shops, with a cobbled market square.
Why not visit Richmond Castle with its tranquil gardens and views of the Dales and the Georgian Theatre & Theatre Museum?
Within walking distance is the beautiful ruin of Easby Abbey displaying original 13th century wall paintings.
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A further short drive takes you to Kiplin Hall, with its beautiful Jacobean Hall, gardens, woodland and lakeside walks. It includes a cafe furnished with centuries of family possessions including scientific instruments, paintings, portraits and Arts & Crafts. Well worth a visit.
Malham
Outdoor lovers might want to head south to Malham Cove, a fabulous limestone beauty spot. Coupled with the wildlife-rich conservation area of the Malham Tarn Estate, this is truly a great destination.
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Heading east from Malham is Grassington, a pretty market town filled with quirky shops and friendly pubs.
Ripon & Ripley
The fourth smallest city in Britain, Ripon is situated on the River Ure with museums, a racecourse, weekly market & cathedral.
After a look round the city – why not head south to Ripley Castle? This is a 14th century castle where you can explore the walled gardens, or take a guided tour around the ornamental lake. The castle includes a tea room, a coffee shop and a pub.
A 15 minute drive takes you to Brimham Rocks a weird and wonderful rock formation with stunning views over Nidderdale.
Further Afield, But Well Worth A Trip
Harrogate
Grand Georgian Harrogate has a rich history. With the discovery of a mineral well in the 1660s the town transformed itself from a small quiet village into a thriving tourist attraction; the spa town of choice for wealthy visitors keen to taste the medicinal waters.
Harrogate’s original well is situated on The Stray. Gardeners will enjoy Valley Gardens and the nearby RHS garden Harlow Carr. The restored Royal Pump Room survives from its regency hey-day as a museum. Popular visitor attractions include shopping in the Montpellier Quarter and bathing in the waters of the Turkish Baths.
York
The city’s medieval streets are packed with independent shops, cafes and superb pubs and inns. So why not spend a day indulging in shopping and dining, or pop into one of York’s fantastic museums?
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The York Dungeon offers an altogether more sobering experience. And the Jorvik Viking Centre offers a truly memorable living history of the original Viking settlements in the city of York.
See the beautifully detailed recreation of a Victorian street in the Castle Museum, with shop interiors and alleyways.
The Yorkshire Museum & Gardens mixes history with scientific subjects. Whilst beautiful Fairfax House, a restored Georgian townhouse, is filled with furniture and art from the Noel Terry Collection. Or why not admire other York landmarks such as the River, Clifford’s Tower and the majestic York Minster?
Regular annual events in the city include the York Food & Drink Festival; York Chocolate Festival and Jorvik Viking Festival.
Bolton Abbey
This is a stunning 12th century priory, situated in beautiful parkland by the River Wharfe. Picnic by the river or take a woodland trail across the 80 miles of footpaths. Welly walks, tree climbing, rivers, bridges, slides, beams, tunnels & swings: and if that doesn’t tire you out, you can jump onto the Embsay & Bolton Abbey steam railway for a short journey through the countryside.
A mile or so from Bolton Abbey is Hesketh Farm Park where you can meet friendly farm animals. Don’t miss the Cavendish Pavilion which offers riverside refreshments in the heart of the estate.
Beyond the abbey, you can head up the river to Appletreewick and the haunted ravine of Troller’s Gill. Then climb through the Valley of Desolation to the rocky peak of Simon’s Seat.
Another nearby highlight is the area of Parcevall Hall Gardens. These are the only large gardens open to the public within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Situated at the head of the valley, the 24 acres of formal and woodland gardens rise up the hillside and command impressive views of Simon’s Seat and Wharfedale. See the limestone rock garden and collections of plants from far flung places including China and the Himalayas.
Castle Howard
Designed by John Vanburgh, and home to the Howard family for over 300 years, this grand baroque-style 18th century residence was the spectacular setting for the 1981 ITV television series of Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel’ Brideshead Revisited’. The house boasts an impressive collection of art and furniture, beautiful gardens and 1,000 acres of parkland dotted with statues, temples and follies.
Visitors can join in on one of the daily tours around the house and gardens, take a boat trip on the great lake, or follow a path through the gracious woodland. The estate also has a farm shop, garden centre, tree nursery and restaurants.
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