Exploring Wensleydale: Things to do - Cheese, Charm, Countryside & Hidden Treasures
- jillcrowson66
- Jan 15
- 6 min read
Tucked away in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Wensleydale is a valley rich in history, breathtaking landscapes, traditional markets, and—of course—world-famous cheese. From cascading waterfalls and ancient castles to red squirrels and cobbled market towns, Wensleydale is a dream destination for walkers, food lovers, families, and curious explorers alike.
A Valley Carved by Nature and Time
Wensleydale is one of the few Yorkshire Dales not named after its river. Instead, it takes its name from the historic village of Wensley, once the valley’s main market town. The true lifeblood of the dale is the River Ure, from which the valley’s older name, Yoredale, is derived.
This wide, open landscape is shaped by:
Rolling pastures ideal for dairy farming
Glacially carved hillocks
Limestone scenery underpinned by the Carboniferous Yoredale rock group
Dominating the skyline are Addlebrough (481m) in the upper dale and Penhill (526m) in the lower dale — making Wensleydale a paradise for walkers and geologists alike.
Wensleydale Cheese: A Local Story That Conquered the World
No visit to Wensleydale would be complete without experiencing its most famous export — Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese at the Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre in Hawes.
Cheese-making here dates back to the 12th century, but the modern story began in 1897, when Edward Chapman established the first commercial creamery in Hawes. During the economic struggles of the 1930s, local businessman Kit Calvert rallied the community to save the creamery from closure.
After several ownership changes, a turning point came in 1992, when a group of former managers and a local businessman completed a management buyout. With just 11 staff, Wensleydale cheese was handcrafted once again — just in time for Christmas.
Today, the Wensleydale Creamery:
Produces over 20 varieties of cheese
Employs more than 200 people
Offers a cheese-making experience, tasting room, museum, and well-stocked cheese shop
It’s one of the most popular attractions in Wensleydale and a must-visit for food lovers.
Hawes Mosaic Walk – A Fun Way to Explore the Town
For something a little different, the Hawes Mosaic Walk is a fantastic way to explore the town on foot. This self-guided walk challenges you to seek out 20 hidden mosaics tucked around Hawes, making it ideal for families, couples, and anyone who enjoys a gentle walk with a twist.
📥 Download the Hawes Mosaic Walk PDF here:👉 https://www.paulbeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hawes-mosaic-walk-seek-out-20-mosaics-wensleydale-yorkshire-dales-00064.pdf
Why we love it:
Free and family-friendly
Encourages slow exploration of Hawes
Combines local art with village history
Best Waterfalls in Wensleydale
Wensleydale is renowned for its waterfalls, each offering something unique:
Aysgarth Falls – A spectacular series of stepped falls on the River Ure
Hardraw Force – England’s highest single-drop waterfall
Cauldron Falls (West Burton) – Painted by J.M.W. Turner
Mill Gill Force (Askrigg) – Peaceful and scenic
Cotter Force – Wheelchair-accessible and family-friendly
Add to this Semer Water, the largest natural lake in the Dales, perfect for gentle walks, swimming, sailing, and wildlife spotting.
Wildlife & Scenic Trails
Nature lovers should head to Snaizeholme, home to the Red Squirrel Trail near Hawes. Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, red squirrels are once again thriving here — a rare and special sight in England.
Historic Villages & Market Towns of Wensleydale
Hawes
The vibrant heart of Upper Wensleydale, Hawes is home to:
Wensleydale Creamery
Dales Countryside Museum
Independent shops, cafés, and pubs
A lovely walk links Hawes to Hardraw, combining village charm with waterfall scenery.
Bainbridge & Askrigg
Bainbridge sits on the site of the Roman fort Virosidum, while Askrigg, just across the River Ure, became famous as the fictional village of Darrowby in All Creatures Great and Small.
Wensley & Leyburn
The village of Wensley received a Royal Charter in 1202, but after the plague of 1563, survivors resettled in Leyburn, now the main market town of lower Wensleydale. Leyburn’s lively Friday market fills its cobbled square with local produce and crafts.
Other Things to do in Wensleydale – Heritage & History
Jervaulx Abbey
Nestled beside the River Ure, the peaceful ruins of Jervaulx Abbey are privately owned but open to visitors, supported by an honesty box.
Bolton Castle & Nappa Hall
Bolton Castle once held Mary, Queen of Scots captive in 1568
The nearby Shawl Walk offers panoramic views and historic storytelling
Nappa Hall, a fortified manor, reflects over 500 years of Metcalfe family history
A Touch of the Unexpected
Don’t miss the Aysgarth Edwardian Rock Garden, a Grade II listed hidden gem commissioned by Frank Sayer-Graham — a true “secret garden” experience.
Railways & Reminiscence
The arrival of the railway in 1846 transformed Wensleydale. Stations once served Northallerton, Leyburn, Hawes and Garsdale, and while some are now closed, the region’s railway heritage remains an important part of its story.
Why Visit Wensleydale?
Wensleydale is a place where:
History lives on in abbey ruins and castle walls
Nature takes centre stage through waterfalls and wide open dales
Tradition thrives in markets, villages and cheese-making
Whether you’re walking, tasting, exploring, or simply slowing down, Wensleydale offers something special in every season.
Suggested 3–5 Day Wensleydale Itinerary from a Stay at Ashes Farm
Staying at Ashes Farm Holiday Accommodation, near Ribblehead in the Yorkshire Dales, gives you the perfect base to explore Wensleydale, the Three Peaks, and some of the Dales’ most iconic scenery — all while returning to peaceful countryside at the end of each day.
Whether you choose our self-catering cottage or cosy lodges, or opt for a bed and breakfast stay, this flexible itinerary lets you explore at your own pace.
Day 1 – Arrival & Ribblehead Icons (Gentle Start)
Ideal after check-in
Arrive at Ashes Farm and settle into your accommodation
Gentle walk to the Ribblehead Viaduct — just one mile away
Visit the Ribblehead Station Inn for a well-earned drink or meal
Return to Ashes Farm for a peaceful evening under our Dark Skies
🌌 Ashes Farm is a Dark Skies Friendly Business — perfect for stargazing after dinner.
Perfect for: First-day explorers, photographers, relaxed arrivals
Day 2 – Wensleydale Highlights & Hawes Mosaic Walk
Drive time: approx. 25 minutes
Head to Hawes, the heart of Upper Wensleydale
Visit the Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre
Enjoy lunch in one of Hawes’ cafés
Complete the Hawes Mosaic Walk — a fun, family-friendly way to explore the town
📥 Download the Hawes Mosaic Walk here:https://www.paulbeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hawes-mosaic-walk-seek-out-20-mosaics-wensleydale-yorkshire-dales-00064.pdf
Optional stop at Hardraw Force, England’s highest single-drop waterfall
Scenic drive back over the moors to Ashes Farm
Perfect for: Food lovers, families, relaxed sightseeing
Day 3 – Waterfalls & Storybook Villages
Choose your pace
Morning visit to Aysgarth Falls
Continue to Askrigg (James Herriot country)
Walk to Mill Gill Force
Lunch in Askrigg or Bainbridge
Optional extras:
Red Squirrel Trail at Snaizeholme
Stop at Semer Water for a peaceful lakeside walk
Return to Ashes Farm to relax — perhaps a sunset stroll or a quiet evening in your lodge or cottage.
Perfect for: Nature lovers, photographers, wildlife spotting
Day 4 – Walking Day or Yorkshire Three Peaks (Your Way)
Because the Yorkshire Three Peaks is a circular route, you can start anywhere — and starting from Ashes Farm puts you ahead of the crowds who begin at Horton in Ribblesdale.
Options:
🥾 One Peak at a Time
Ingleborough via Chapel-le-Dale
Whernside taking in Ribblehead Viaduct, aqueduct & tarn
Pen-y-ghent from Horton or directly from Ashes Farm
✔ Ideal for guests staying in our bed and breakfast, tackling hills one day at a time.
Full Three Peaks Challenge
Best suited to guests staying in our self-catering cottage or lodges
Flexible early starts, food prep, and recovery time
Avoid busy queues on summer Saturdays by starting early from Ashes Farm
Perfect for: Walkers, challenge seekers, experienced hikers
Day 5 – Hidden Gems & Journey Home
Before heading home:
Visit Norber Erratics & Trow Gill
Walk Oxenber Wood & Smearsett Scar
Or explore Wharfe & Studrigg Scar for limestone scenery and quiet trails
Finish with coffee in Settle or Ingleton before departure.
🛏 Why Stay at Ashes Farm?
✔ Peaceful rural location near Ribblehead
✔ Close to Wensleydale, Three Peaks & Settle–Carlisle Railway
✔ Choice of self-catering cottage, lodges, or bed & breakfast
✔ Ideal for walkers, families, photographers & stargazers
✔ Away from crowds but close to iconic Dales locations
✔ Check your Things to do in Wensleydale list
Plan your walking holiday in the Yorkshire Dales from Ashes Farm Holiday Accommodation.
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