Yorkshire Dales National Park Day Trip from York

Your Day in the Yorkshire Dales

Depart York

Your day begins beside York Minster as we leave the historic city behind and travel towards the beautiful countryside of Nidderdale and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Along the way, your local Yorkshire driver-guide will share fascinating stories about the history, traditions and communities that have shaped this remarkable corner of England.

Pateley Bridge

First, we visit the historic market town of Pateley Bridge, nestled within the beautiful Nidderdale National Landscape.

Enjoy time to explore its independent shops, traditional stone buildings and welcoming cafés. The town is also home to the famous Oldest Sweet Shop in the World, where traditional sweets have been sold from the same premises since 1827.

Journey into the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Next, we travel deeper into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Rolling limestone hills, dry-stone walls and picturesque valleys create some of England’s most spectacular countryside.

The journey itself is one of the highlights of the day, with breathtaking scenery, traditional farming landscapes and carefully chosen photo opportunities along the route.

Kettlewell

Surrounded by limestone fells in the heart of the National Park, Kettlewell is one of the Yorkshire Dales’ most picturesque villages.

Take time to wander its peaceful streets, admire the traditional stone cottages or simply relax in one of its welcoming cafés or traditional pubs.

Film enthusiasts may recognise Kettlewell as the principal filming location for the 2003 British film Calendar Girls.

Hawes and Wensleydale Creamery

Continuing into Wensleydale, we arrive in the vibrant market town of Hawes, one of the Yorkshire Dales’ most popular destinations.

Enjoy free time for lunch, browse the independent shops and visit the award-winning Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre, where you can discover the heritage of Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese and browse the cheese and gift shop.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Dales Countryside Museum to learn more about the history, culture and traditions of the Yorkshire Dales.

Askrigg and Wensleydale

After lunch, our journey continues through beautiful Wensleydale, passing traditional farms, dry-stone walls and some of the Yorkshire Dales’ finest scenery.

Along the way, we travel through the picturesque village of Askrigg, recognised by many as Darrowby in the original BBC television series All Creatures Great and Small.

Beyond its television connection, Askrigg remains one of Wensleydale’s most attractive villages, full of character and surrounded by spectacular Yorkshire countryside.

Bolton Castle

Finally, we arrive at magnificent Bolton Castle, one of England’s best-preserved medieval fortresses.

Built in the late 14th century, the castle is famous as the place where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned for six months in 1568.

Today, you can explore its medieval halls and beautiful gardens while enjoying wonderful views across Wensleydale.

Admission to Bolton Castle is optional and payable on arrival for guests wishing to explore inside.

Return to York

As the day draws to a close, relax and enjoy the changing scenery on the journey back to York.

We normally return to the original meeting point at approximately 5.15pm. However, return times are approximate, so please allow sufficient time before making onward travel arrangements.

Good to Know

Group size: Maximum 16 guests.

Minimum age: 5 years.

What to wear: Comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Itinerary: The order of the day may occasionally change due to weather, road conditions or special events.

Winter travel: During the winter months, the route may be adapted to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests.

Assistance dogs: Welcome by prior arrangement.

Throughout the day, we aim to provide a relaxed and friendly experience, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the Yorkshire Dales while benefiting from the knowledge and local insight of your Yorkshire driver-guide.