The Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival 2025

jillcrowson66
Aug 28
4 min read

Every October, the Yorkshire Dales come alive with the flavours of our region’s finest cheeses, produce, and locally made delights.

Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival: Celebrating Local Produce

(Friday 10th – Sunday 19th October 2025) is more than just cheese – it’s about food, creativity, and community.

At Ashes Farm in Selside, we’re proud to have been part of this festival for the last four years.

Once again, we’ll be opening our Pop-up Café (Friday 10th – Sunday 12th, 12–4pm),

serving:🥣 Warming homemade soups🥖 Traditional ploughman’s lunches🍰 Delicious cakes🧀 Homemade scones with Wensleydale cheese & Yorkshire chutney

Every penny raised will be donated to Craven Wildlife Rescue – so you can enjoy great food while supporting a local cause.

Why Base Your Festival Adventure at Ashes Farm?

Ashes Farm is perfectly placed for exploring the Yorkshire Dales during the cheese festival. Just a mile from the Ribblehead Viaduct, with stunning walks from our doorstep and only a short drive to Hawes, Ingleton, Settle, and Malham, you can easily combine food, landscapes, and history into one memorable trip.

Stay in one of our cosy B&B rooms, the holiday cottage, or a lodge, and wake up ready to explore.

Suggested Routes

To help you make the most of your time, we’ve designed a few routes that tie together the 50+ festival businesses from the official Taste of the Dales map. Pick one, or mix and match to create your own!

Route 1: The Ribblehead & Ingleborough Loop

Perfect for guests staying at Ashes Farm

Morning: Start with a walk around Ribblehead Viaduct and the surrounding Ingleborough trails.
Lunch: Pop into Ashes Farm’s Pop-Up Charity Café (10–12 Oct) for a ploughman’s with Wensleydale cheese, homemade scones, and soup.
Afternoon: Head to the Station Inn (Ribblehead) for “Walk, Ales and Artisan Cheese” (10–19 Oct).
Evening: Drive to The Courtyard Dairy (Austwick) for their Cheesemonger’s Tasting History of the British Isles(Sat 11 Oct).

Route 2: The Hawes & Upper Dales Experience

Morning: Visit the Dales Countryside Museum (Hawes) on Sat 11 Oct for A Taste in Time.
Lunch: Treat yourself at The Wensleydale Creamery (10–19 Oct) with their Cheesy Afternoon Tea.
Afternoon: Browse artisan crafts and accommodation options at The House at Hawes (10–19 Oct).
Optional add-on: Walk Aysgill Force waterfall nearby.
Evening: Relax with local ales in Hawes or head to Middle House, Askrigg for a Cheese and Wine Evening (Tue 14 Oct).

Route 3: Leyburn & Reeth Market Trail

Morning: Start at Campbells of Leyburn (10–19 Oct) for traditional Yorkshire cheeses.
Late Morning: Head to the Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre (10–19 Oct) for “Meet the Maker” textile felting with Elli.
Lunch: Stop at The Redmire Village Pub (12–9pm daily) for hearty Yorkshire fare.
Afternoon: Take a walk around Reeth, visiting Reeth Farmers’ Market (Fri 10 & 17 Oct).
Optional: Join a Laceys Cheese Making Course in Reeth (Tue 14 or Sun 19 Oct).

Route 4: Lofthouse Adventure & Cheese Weekend

Morning: Drive to How Stean Gorge (Lofthouse) for their adrenaline Ledge-n-Dairy events (11–12, 18–19 Oct).
Lunch: Relax at a picnic spot in Nidderdale with local cheese from one of the farm shops.
Afternoon: Meet the makers at Stonebeck Cheese, Low Riggs Farm (Sat 12 Oct).
Evening: Stay locally or return to Ribblehead for a cosy night at Ashes Farm.

Route 5: Skipton, Clapham & Airton Foodie Explorer

Morning: Head to Elmworth at the Mill, Skipton for Cheese & Wine Pairing (Fri 10 Oct).
Midday: Stop at The Old Sawmill Café, Clapham (11–19 Oct) for a dedicated cheese menu.
Afternoon: Visit Growing with Grace, Clapham (10 & 17 Oct) – organic farm shop.
Tea Stop: Pop into Town End Farm Shop, Airton (10 & 17 Oct) for cheese & tearoom delights.
Evening: Return via Settle with a chance to catch the sunset at Malham Cove.

Route 6: The Northern Dales & Cumbria Link

Morning: Head over to Orton Farmers’ Market (Sat 11 Oct) for over 25 local producers.
Midday: Visit Piper Hole Goat Farm, Ravenstonedale (12–13 Oct) for goat’s cheese tasting.
Afternoon: Pop into Bedale Community Beer Festival (10–12 Oct) or Bedale Banquet (Sun 19 Oct).
Evening: Round off with cheese and ale in a traditional pub before heading back to Ashes Farm.

✨ With these routes, guests at Ashes Farm could easily plan multiple days exploring cheese, countryside walks, and the best of Yorkshire food & drink – all while returning to a cosy base near Ribblehead Viaduct.

🎟️ Don’t Forget Tickets!

Some events require pre-booking, so check the official Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival listings and plan ahead. With over 50 businesses taking part, there’s plenty to discover.

Join Us at Ashes Farm

Whether you’re here for a day or a whole week, the Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival is your chance to taste the best of the region. Stay with us at Ashes Farm, walk the Ribblehead Viaduct, enjoy homemade food at our café, and explore the Dales through routes that showcase local producers, makers, and landscapes.

🍽️ An event on a plate – and the perfect excuse for a trip to the Yorkshire Dales.

📅 Festival Dates: Friday 10th – Sunday 19th October 2025📍

Ashes Farm Pop-up Café: 10th – 12th October, 12–4pm

Book your stay early and get ready for a delicious Dales adventure!