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Things to do in
Hawes

Our most recommended things to do in Hawes

The Yorkshire Dales Tour from York

1. The Yorkshire Dales Tour from York

Escape the crowded streets of York for a full-day sightseeing tour of the Yorkshire Dales, and discover one of England’s most dramatic landscapes. Departing York in the morning, trave; to Yorkshire Dales national park, well known for its beautiful rolling hills and lazy rivers which flow down the dales (or valleys). The first stop will be in the market town of Masham in Lower Wensleydale. Famous for its family-run breweries, steam engines, and annual sheep fair, its thriving market (Wednesdays and Saturdays) is still going strong 762 years since its 1st charter. Continue towards Middleham, nestled between 2 rivers. Travel through the gently sloping Dales towards Castle Bolton, where you will see some of the best scenery Yorkshire has to offer. Admire one of Britain’s best-preserved medieval castles at Castle Bolton, built by Sir Richard Le Scrope to rival the most luxurious homes in the land. See the scars of its 600-year history, including its involvement in the Pilgrimage of Grace, Mary Queen of Scot’s imprisonment, and a Civil War siege. Afterward continue the journey through the stunning landscapes of Yorkshire traveling towards Aysgarth Falls on the River Ure. Here you will have the chance to view the famous waterfalls, which drop over three major falls in less than one mile. An amazingly scenic stop, the falls are a showcase of the beauty of nature. For lunch, head to the charming market town of Hawes. Nestled in Upper Wensleydale in North Yorkshire this beautiful place is surrounded on all sides by scenery the Yorkshire Dales is famous for. Travel over the Buttertubs pass which connects Hawes and the hamlet of Thwaite with spectacular views over the surrounding valleys and fells. In recent days, the pass was featured as the second King of the Mountains climb of the 2014 Grand Depart of the Tour de France. Hawes is also home to the Wensleydale Creamery, famous for its array of cheeses which are much loved by fictional, animated characters, Wallace and Gromit. Hawes marketplace was first recorded in 1307 and still has a lively market every Tuesday. Enjoy the delights of Wensleydale Creamery including the visitors center and cheese tasting room. Explore the creamery and have a taste of the real Dales in their sample room. There is plenty of time to shop for your favorite cheeses and marvel at the beautiful surroundings. Finally, follow the Dales scenic route back to the medieval city of York, driving through picturesque villages and classic Dales villages, with stops along the way so you can photograph the memorable landscapes.

From York: Full-Day Yorkshire Dales Tour

2. From York: Full-Day Yorkshire Dales Tour

Discover the wonders of Yorkshire Dales National Park on a guided tour from York. Travel by air-conditioned coach to highlights like Bolton Castle, Kettlewell, Pateley Bridge, and more. Enjoy free time to explore local sights and foods in Hawes. Leave York to explore the memorable landscape of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Stop at the 14th-century Bolton Castle, the former home of Mary Queen of Scots, to enjoy sweeping views over Wensleydale. Next, enjoy free time in Hawes. Sample the cheeses at the world-famous Wensleydale Creamery, visit the Dales Countryside Museum, or explore the quaint shops and cafes (costs not included). Move on to the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Pass through the picturesque villages on the way to Kettlewell, the main filming location for the Calendar Girls movie. Explore the village, learn more about the true story behind the movie, or relax with the locals in one of the pubs and cafes. Before heading back to York, stop in the charming town of Pateley Bridge and see the oldest sweet shop in the world.

From Manchester: Yorkshire Sightseeing Day Trip

3. From Manchester: Yorkshire Sightseeing Day Trip

Get a taste of Yorkshire on a full-day minibus tour from Manchester. Explore the county's history and cuisine, admire feats of Victorian engineering, and see the picturesque Hardraw Force waterfall. Make your way to the National Express Coach Station near Manchester Airport Railway Station to meet your driver for the day. Then, board your minibus and travel along roads inaccessible to normal buses throughout the day. After a partially-narrated 2-hour journey, arrive in Haworth to discover the stories of the Bronte Sisters — Anne, Charlotte, and Emily. From there, head to the stunning limestone feature of Malham Cove, formed by melt-water from glaciers over 12,000 years ago. See the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering, and take a stroll to get a closer look at its 1.5 million bricks. A stop at the must-visit Wensleydale Creamery follows. Sample some of its famous cheeses, made originally by Cistercian Monks. Next, visit the pretty village of Hawes, a honeypot boasting shops, cafes, pubs, and locals sipping John Smith's while munching a Yorkshire Pudding. Once you have explored Hawes, head to Hardraw Force, the UK's highest single-drop waterfall (30 meters/100 feet). Enjoy the splash pool and the breathtaking natural “amphitheater” before beginning your journey back to Manchester. Please note that the Hardraw Force entrance fee is not included in the tour price, but is available as an optional add-on for £2.50.

From Liverpool: Full-Day Yorkshire Sightseeing Adventure

4. From Liverpool: Full-Day Yorkshire Sightseeing Adventure

Get a taste of Yorkshire on a full-day minibus tour from Liverpool. Explore the county's history and cuisine, admire feats of Victorian engineering, and see the picturesque Hardraw Force waterfall. After a partially-narrated 2-hour journey, arrive in Haworth to discover the stories of the Bronte Sisters – Anne, Charlotte, and Emily. From there, head to the stunning limestone feature of Malham Cove, formed by melt-water from glaciers over 12,000 years ago. See the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering, and take a stroll to get a closer look at its 1.5 million bricks. A stop at the must-visit Wensleydale Creamery follows. Sample some of its famous cheeses, made originally by Cistercian Monks. Next, visit the pretty village of Hawes, a honeypot of a town boasting shops, cafes, pubs, and locals sipping John Smith's while munching a Yorkshire Pudding. Once you have explored Hawes, head to Hardraw Force, the UK's highest single-drop waterfall, which is over 100 feet tall. Enjoy the splash pool and the breathtaking natural “amphitheater” before beginning your journey back to Liverpool.

From Chester: Full-Day Yorkshire Sightseeing Day Trip

5. From Chester: Full-Day Yorkshire Sightseeing Day Trip

Get a taste of Yorkshire on a full-day minibus tour from Chester. Explore the county's history and cuisine, admire feats of Victorian engineering, and see the picturesque Hardraw Force waterfall. After a partially-narrated 2-hour journey, arrive in Haworth to discover the stories of the Bronte Sisters — Anne, Charlotte, and Emily. From there, head to the stunning limestone feature of Malham Cove, formed by melt-water from glaciers over 12,000 years ago. See the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering, and take a stroll to get a closer look at its 1.5 million bricks. A stop at the must-visit Wensleydale Creamery follows. Sample some of its famous cheeses, made originally by Cistercian Monks. Next, visit the pretty village of Hawes, a honeypot boasting shops, cafes, pubs, and locals sipping John Smith's while munching a Yorkshire Pudding. Once you have explored Hawes, head to Hardraw Force, the UK's highest single-drop waterfall, which is over 100 feet tall. Enjoy the splash pool and the breathtaking natural “amphitheater” before beginning your journey back to Chester.

From Lake District: Full-Day Yorkshire Dales Tour

6. From Lake District: Full-Day Yorkshire Dales Tour

Choose from a pickup point in Windermere, Bowness, or Ambleside and begin your drive to the quaint village of Sedbergh. head up to see the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway and the spectacular viaducts. Later, venture down into Wensleydale and Hardraw before descending into Swaledale through the valley to the small market town of Reeth for lunch. After lunch visits Bolton Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots was held as a prisoner. Take a journey up the valley to the spectacular Aysgarth Waterfalls. From the waterfalls head to Hawes, where you’ll stop before continuing on to the lovely village of Dent, famous for the Dent knitters and brewery. The return trip to Windermere takes a different route, traveling via Kirkby Lonsdale.

From Edinburgh: 5 Day Best of Northern England Tour

7. From Edinburgh: 5 Day Best of Northern England Tour

Day 1 Leaving Edinburgh behind, you trace the stunning East Lothian coastline to the walled town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. After a stop to admire the fortifications, continue to Bamburgh Castle. Next, journey towards York on the historic Great North Road, once trodden by Roman legions. Arrive in York in the late afternoon, where you'll spend the next two nights. Day 2 This leisurely day gives you the flexibility to spend time exploring the medieval heart of York. Your journey begins in the late morning when you head for the magnificent North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Lunch will be in Whitby, a bustling fishing port and the inspiration for the fertile imagination of author Bram Stoker. After lunch and free time in Whitby, travel to the fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay*, a perfectly preserved conservation village of winding lanes and narrow alleys before returning to York. Day 3 Head west in the morning into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Established in 1954, the Yorkshire Dales National Park has outstanding scenery, a range of wildlife habitats, and rich cultural heritage. Continuing West, your route takes us through the Northern Dales, a beautiful area of natural beauty that is the center of the Dales cattle trade. The final leg of today’s journey ascends into the remote hills of the Yorkshire Dales before descending into the lively market town of Keswick, where you'll be dropped off at your accommodation. Day 4 After breakfast, head a short distance out of town to the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones, thought by many to have been built over 5,000 years ago. Then travel on to the shores of Ullswater, described as England’s most beautiful lake, for a forest walk to see the mighty Aira Force waterfall. Continuing south over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass, stop at Lake Windermere for a leisurely cruise on the lake or simply eat lunch while enjoying views of the mountains and lakes. After lunch, journey around the southern tip of Windermere towards Coniston Water, reaching the charming conservation village of Hawkeshead. Explore the village, then follow narrow country lanes north to Grasmere. Here, enjoy free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage or relax in the peaceful Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothay. Return to Keswick in the late afternoon. Day 5 Leaving the Lakes behind, start your climb towards Hartside Pass, at over 1900 feet above sea level, with the hills and mountains of Scotland and the English Lake District easily visible on a clear day. Follow the route of the old sheep drovers road between England and Scotland, stopping at Hadrian's Wall along the way, and crossing the border into Scotland and towards the town of Jedburgh for refreshments by the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. The final stop of the tour is at the world-famous Scott’s view with stunning views over the River Tweed and the Cheviot hills that form the border between Scotland before continuing North to Edinburgh.

Other Sightseeing Options in Hawes

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What people are saying about Hawes

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 8 reviews

the guide was amazing ( sorry rubbish with names) he was clear, definitely knew alot about the area, things you wouldnt get from a guide book aswell. he genuinely cared, I have mobility problems and he kept checking I was alright, he made my day enjoyable far more so than I was expecting. can't rate him highly enough, thank you so much.

Clean, smart, comfortable 16-seaater with a knowledgeable driver/guide who added just a hint of his own flavour to the tour from time to time. This tour is well worth the money.

Excellent tour and John was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable and told us many interesting things about the region. I recommend for adults and children.

John S was very accommodating and knowledgeable. He shared so many historical tidbits as well as much of the local folklore.

Fantastic day trip. Beautiful scenery. Knowledgeable friendly guide/driver