Things To Do In The Yorkshire Dales
One of the questions we’re asked most often is “What are the best things to do in the Yorkshire Dales?” The answer depends on what kind of holiday you’re looking for, but whether you enjoy walking, sightseeing, family adventures or simply discovering beautiful places, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Here are some of our favourite attractions in the Yorkshire Dales.
Our Favourites…
Stargazing
With vast open landscapes and minimal light pollution, the Dales offer some of the clearest night skies in the country, making it a fantastic place to begin your stargazing adventure. Thanks to its official status as a Dark Sky Reserve, the Yorkshire Dales is now recognised as one of the best stargazing locations in the world. During certain times of year, it’s even possible to glimpse the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) dancing on the horizon, a rare and unforgettable sight.
Caving
There are over 2,500 caves hidden beneath the Yorkshire Dales, including The Three Counties System — the longest in Britain, and the incredible Gaping Gill, which has one of the largest underground chambers in the country! For a more family-friendly way to explore the Dales’ magical underground world, why not visit one of the local show caves? Both White Scar Cave at Ingleton and Ingleborough Cave at Clapham offer exciting, accessible tours that kids (and grown-ups!) will love.
Scenic Drives
The Yorkshire Dales are criss-crossed with high roads and mountain passes that offer breathtaking views of the valleys and fells below. Among them Buttertubs Pass is perhaps the most famous, a dramatic route linking the market town of Hawes with the charming hamlet of Thwaite. The pass takes its name from the deep limestone potholes that line the roadside, said to have been used by farmers to keep their butter cool.