Clapham, Yorkshire Dales
A Quintessential Yorkshire Dales Village
Just a short drive from New Thornber, the picturesque village of Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales is a must-visit during your stay. Loved for its timeless charm and stunning natural surroundings, Clapham is widely regarded as one of the Dales’ most beautiful villages and an ideal base for both gentle days out and full outdoor adventures.
Clapham is wonderfully quaint, with the River Wenning flowing through the centre and traditional Yorkshire stone cottages lining the streets. It’s the kind of village that invites you to slow down, wander without a plan and simply soak up the scenery.
A National Park car park and public toilets are conveniently located in the centre of the village, making Clapham an easy and stress-free place to visit for families, walkers and day trippers alike.
Walks, Caves and Big Adventures
The Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail is a scenic woodland walk (fee applies) and is suitable for a wide range of abilities and leads to Ingleborough Cave, one of the finest show caves in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s an ideal option for families or anyone wanting a relaxed day out.
Beyond the cave, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic. Trow Gill, a vast limestone gorge carved by meltwater from the last ice age, towers above the path. Further on lies Gaping Gill, the most famous pothole in the UK. At almost 100 metres deep, it is so large that it could house York Minster within its chambers.
From here, limestone pavements, open moorland and eventually the summit of Ingleborough await those keen to continue their adventure. Nearby, the Norber Erratics offer a fascinating detour, where huge glacial boulders are scattered across the hillside, perfect for scrambling and exploring.
Clapham’s Fascinating History
Clapham’s story goes far beyond its landscapes. The village was once home to the Farrer family, most notably Reginald Farrer, a renowned botanist who grew up here.
Between 1914 and 1920, he collected rhododendrons, shrubs and alpine plants during expeditions to China, Tibet and Upper Burma.
Many of these plants were later established on the local estate, shaping Clapham’s distinctive botanical heritage.
In some places, Farrer famously fired seeds onto cliff faces using a shotgun to create a more ‘natural’ spread of rock plants – a wonderfully eccentric detail that adds real character to the village’s history.
Cafés, Pubs and Village Life
After a day of exploring, Clapham offers plenty of welcoming places to pause and refuel. The Old Sawmill Café, a former working sawmill, has had its heritage and history beautifully preserved. The building itself provides a fascinating backdrop while you enjoy coffee, cake or a warming hot chocolate. It is also perfectly positioned at the head of the village, right by the entrance to the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail.
For something heartier, The New Inn is a much-loved village pub. Once an eighteenth-century coaching inn, it now welcomes travellers arriving by car, train or bike and offers a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The tiny Croft Café is also popular, while Clapham’s independent shops sell everything from knitting yarn to locally made crafts. The village shop and post office, now run as a community shop, adds to Clapham’s strong sense of local life.
Visiting Clapham from New Thornber
Staying at New Thornber places you perfectly for discovering everything Clapham has to offer – from gentle riverside walks and family-friendly trails to some of the most impressive limestone scenery in the UK.
Whether you’re climbing Ingleborough, exploring caves and gorges, or simply enjoying village cafés and shops, Clapham is a place that rewards repeat visits and always leaves a lasting impression.
