Town Walk of Settle – A Historic Stroll Through One of the Yorkshire Dales’ Most Charming Market Towns
- jillcrowson66
- Feb 13
- 6 min read
A town walk of Settle is the perfect way to explore one of the most characterful market towns in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Compact, friendly and steeped in history, Settle offers a fascinating blend of medieval streets, Victorian landmarks and independent cafés, all surrounded by stunning limestone scenery.
Whether you are staying at Ashes Farm or visiting for the day, this gentle walking route around Settle reveals over 1,000 years of history in just a couple of miles.
Settle Market Place & Town Hall
The walk naturally begins in Settle Market Place, the historic heart of the town. Settle has Anglian roots dating back to the 7th century, and its importance grew after receiving a market charter from Henry III in 1250, establishing it as a key trading centre for the surrounding farming and quarrying communities.
At the centre stands Settle Town Hall, a prominent 19th-century stone building that once served as the focal point for local governance and commerce. The square is still home to the popular Tuesday market, continuing a trading tradition that has lasted for nearly 800 years.
The Shambles – Settle’s 18th-Century Market Hall
The Shambles in Settle is one of the town’s most distinctive buildings and a Grade II listed landmark. Built between 1700 and 1780, it originally housed butchers’ shops below with living quarters above.
The word shambles comes from an old term for meat-selling stalls. Over time the building evolved:
In 1888–89 it was remodelled with extra upper floors
During the 20th century the open ground floor was enclosed with shop fronts
Today it remains a thriving retail space and a reminder of Settle’s strong market heritage.
The Golden Lion & The Talbot Arms – Historic Inns of Settle
No town walk of Settle is complete without passing its historic pubs.
The Golden Lion, Settle
Dating back to 1640, The Golden Lion is a former coaching inn now owned by Daniel Thwaites. Inside you’ll find:
A traditional panelled bar
Original fire brasses
A large stone fireplace
Today it serves modern Yorkshire bistro-style food, making it a perfect lunch stop.
The Talbot Arms, Settle
With parts of the building dating to 1568, The Talbot Arms has been welcoming travellers for over 400 years. Known for its striking white exterior, it is famous for:
Traditional single-room layout
Well-kept cask ales
A relaxed, old-world atmosphere
Both pubs reflect Settle’s long history as a resting place for traders, drovers and railway workers.
Ye Olde Naked Man Café – Folklore & Mystery
One of Settle’s quirkiest attractions is Ye Olde Naked Man Café, a Grade II listed building dating to 1663. On its wall is a mysterious black-painted carving, often said to depict a naked man.
In reality, historians suggest the figure may represent someone in a gibbet cage, a grim form of 17th-century public punishment. The carving is marked with:
The date 1663
The initials IC
Local folklore tells tales of undertakers and secret burials, making this one of the most talked-about buildings in the Yorkshire Dales.
Kirkgate, Bishopdale House & Weavers Cottage
Walking up Kirkgate – meaning “road to the church” – reveals Settle’s oldest street and reflects its origins as an early medieval settlement.
Bishopdale House
A 17th-century Grade II listed building, dated around 1661, originally owned by local draper John Hargreaves. It remains one of Settle’s finest historic townhouses.
Weavers Cottage
Dated 1664, this former group of three cottages features:
Traditional stone slate roof
Internal stone water trough for dampening yarn
Evidence of Settle’s handloom weaving past
These buildings highlight the town’s strong connection to the textile industry.
Settle Victoria Hall – The World’s Oldest Music Hall
Settle Victoria Hall, opened in 1853, is officially recognised as the world’s oldest surviving music hall. Built by Reverend James Robinson, it predates the Settle-Carlisle railway by 13 years.
Constructed from local gritstone, it features a striking Italianate façade and still hosts:
Live music
Theatre
Cinema nights
It remains one of the most important cultural venues in the Yorkshire Dales.
The Folly – Museum of North Craven Life
The Folly in Settle is a remarkable Grade I listed townhouse built between 1670 and 1679 by lawyer Richard Preston. It later passed to the Dawson family and remained privately owned until 1980.
Today it houses the Museum of North Craven Life, showcasing:
Local farming history
Railway heritage
Traditional crafts
It is the only Grade I listed house in the area and one of Settle’s most significant historic buildings.
Commercial Yard & Chapel Street – Hidden Corners of Old Settle
Tucked just off the main streets, Commercial Yard and Chapel Street reveal a quieter, more atmospheric side of Settle that many visitors miss.
Commercial Yard is a surviving example of the narrow yards and passageways that once filled the centre of this North Craven market town. These small yards developed as Settle grew into a busy trading hub, providing space for workshops, storage, small businesses and housing. Over time, they became mixed-use areas, often with families living above or alongside craft and industrial premises. Known locally in the past as Percy’s Yard, parts of the area were associated with plumbing and engineering trades, reflecting Settle’s practical, working-town character.
Chapel Street links the market area with Kirkgate and has long been a route connecting places of worship, trade and everyday life. Like much of Settle, it is lined with traditional stone-built properties, some of which date back several centuries. Together, Commercial Yard and Chapel Street offer a glimpse into the dense, lived-in fabric of historic Settle, where narrow spaces tell stories of industry, community and changing town life over hundreds of years.
Settle Railway Station & Signal Box
The walk finishes perfectly at Settle railway station, part of the famous Settle–Carlisle line, one of the most scenic railway journeys in Britain.
Opened in 1876, the station is built in classic Midland Railway “Derby Gothic” style.
Nearby you’ll find:
The restored Settle signal box (1891), now a working museum
The original water tower, built for steam locomotives and now a converted private home
The Settle–Carlisle line was the last major Victorian railway built entirely by hand, making this area a must-see for railway enthusiasts.
Settle Parish Church – Church of the Holy Ascension
Designed by architect Thomas Rickman and completed in 1838, Settle Parish Church is unusual for its south-facing orientation. Recent archaeological discoveries revealed a 19th-century infant burial site, adding to its social and historical importance.
Settle Hydro & the Salmon Ladder – Nature and Sustainability in the Town
Just a short walk from the town centre, the Settle Hydro offers an interesting contrast to Settle’s historic streets. Opened in 2012, this community-owned hydroelectric scheme harnesses the power of the River Ribble to generate renewable energy for local use. The project was developed to support sustainable living in the Yorkshire Dales while working sensitively with the surrounding natural environment.
Alongside the hydro plant is the salmon ladder, an essential feature that allows migrating salmon and other fish to bypass the weir safely as they travel upstream to spawn. Salmon have long been part of the River Ribble’s ecology, and the ladder helps maintain healthy fish populations while balancing human use of the river.
This peaceful riverside spot is a lovely pause on a town walk of Settle, offering views of fast-flowing water, wildlife, and a reminder of how modern Settle blends environmental responsibility with its rich industrial and natural heritage.
Why a Town Walk of Settle is a Must-Do
A town walk of Settle offers:
Over 1,000 years of history in a compact area
Independent shops, cafés and traditional pubs
Easy access to the Yorkshire Dales countryside
Direct rail links on one of Britain’s most scenic lines
It’s the perfect low-level walk for all ages and a fantastic addition to any stay at Ashes Farm, whether you’re here for hiking, stargazing, or simply soaking up the charm of a true Dales market town.
Tip from Ashes Farm: Combine your town walk with a visit to The Folly Museum and finish with tea at Ye Olde Naked Man Café or a pint in The Talbot – the ideal way to experience Settle like a local.
Many thanks to Peter & Elaine for some lovely photos! Taken by Guests for Guests!
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