Hawes
The heart of Upper Wensleydale
- Places
- Hawes Wensleydale
Hawes is an intricate market town in the upper reaches of Wensleydale where a treasure trove of independent shops, cafes and crafts awaits.
This magical market town has plenty for visitors to do, with lots of walks for all abilities in the surrounding dale and plenty of traditional shops and places to eat. It is also a popular base to head out for a walk, ramble or bike ride. After you’ve enjoyed browsing the many shops and eateries, you can visit local museums where you can discover the stories of the people who lived and worked in the Yorkshire Dales.
One of the larger towns in this part of the Yorkshire Dales, Hawes is best known for the production of “Yorkshire Wensleydale” Cheese, which has been granted Protected Food Name Status, meaning this term can only be applied to cheese produced in Wensleydale itself.
Possibly the most distinctive feature of the town is its bustling market. First recorded in 1307, regular markets still take place and give visitors the option to browse a range of local produce alongside breathtaking scenery.
The Heart of Upper Wensleydale
Hawes is nestled in Upper Wensleydale, home to sweeping views and beautiful waterfalls. Nearby there is a chance to see red squirrels in a special viewing area in the heart of the Widdale Red Squirrel Reserve, and with luck you may also see roe deer. The nearby Buttertubs Pass is a well-known serpentine road that meanders through a lush landscape of sheer cliffs and stunning sights. Popular with drivers, an acclaimed challenge for cyclists and a photographer’s dream, the tapestry of fields, rugged cliffs and stunning skies will linger in the memory long after your visit.
Not far away, Hardraw Force is the single highest drop waterfall in England where Turner paused to paint, and Wordsworth stopped to write, just one of the many sights to enjoy in this beautiful area.
So if you are visiting the Yorkshire Dales, add Hawes to your itinerary to enjoy a truly rural Yorkshire experience.
Explore Hawes & Wensleydale
What's in Hawes & Wensleydale
The Green Dragon at Hardraw
With its stone floors and real fires the historic Green Dragon Inn at… With its stone floors and real fires the historic Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw, near Hawes, is a traditional North Country pub. It sits among the…
Wensleydale Creamery
Set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales you’ll find our Wensleydale… Set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales you’ll find our Wensleydale Creamery, home of our famous creamy, crumbly Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese and our…
The Hut in the Wood Askrigg
The Hut in The Wood is a beautifully appointed shepherds hut nestled alone… The Hut in The Wood is a beautifully appointed shepherds hut nestled alone in our pretty 1 acre woodland garden in Askrigg, Wensleydale. Ideal…
Dales Countryside Museum
Sharing the stories of the people and places of the Yorkshire Dales. Sharing the stories of the people and places of the Yorkshire Dales.
Low Greenside Farm Campsite
A quiet family-run eco-conscious campsite in the Yorkshire Dales village… A quiet family-run eco-conscious campsite in the Yorkshire Dales village of Ravenstonedale with spacious open pitches, 360 views and excellent,…
Cheesy Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea, Wensleydale style - this savoury afternoon tea puts cheese… Afternoon Tea, Wensleydale style - this savoury afternoon tea puts cheese up front and centre, and gives a novel twist on the classic afternoon tea.
Aysgarth Leisure Resorts
Aysgarth Leisure Resorts is part of the Leisure Resorts holiday park group… Aysgarth Leisure Resorts is part of the Leisure Resorts holiday park group offering 5 star hot tub holidays at stunning locations.
Calvert’s Restaurant at Wensleydale Creamery
Calvert’s Restaurant, home of the Cheesy Afternoon Tea, offers a flavour… Calvert’s Restaurant, home of the Cheesy Afternoon Tea, offers a flavour rich Yorkshire Dales dining experience, using locally sourced produce to…
Experiences in Hawes & Wensleydale
Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese Experience
Live cheesemaking demonstrations, explore our rich Dales cheesemaking… Live cheesemaking demonstrations, explore our rich Dales cheesemaking heritage, peek inside the Creamery and enjoy guided cheese-tastings with…
Events in Hawes & Wensleydale
Start Date
End Date
Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival - Yorkshire Dales…
The Festival celebrates the incredible produce of the Dales – cheese very… The Festival celebrates the incredible produce of the Dales – cheese very much included! – with local businesses throughout the National Park hosting…
When the sun dips below the horizon and the day gates close, a darker… When the sun dips below the horizon and the day gates close, a darker reality awakens. The Forgotten Corner reimagines the famous family folly as a…
Come and enjoy a Whisky Experience in the heart of the Dales on the first… Come and enjoy a Whisky Experience in the heart of the Dales on the first Thursday of every month.Come and join us as a one off experience or become…
Get ready for a high energy performance from the modern day one band band… Get ready for a high energy performance from the modern day one band band bringing you performances from the likes of Avicci, Mumford & Son, Gerry…
Let Hawes & Wensleydale Inspire You...
Festivals in Hawes & Wensleydale
Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival - Yorkshire Dales…
The Festival celebrates the incredible produce of the Dales – cheese very… The Festival celebrates the incredible produce of the Dales – cheese very much included! – with local businesses throughout the National Park hosting…
Itineraries in Hawes & Wensleydale
How to spend 24hrs in Hawes
1-2 days
If you're looking to book an overnight stay or two-day break in North… If you're looking to book an overnight stay or two-day break in North Yorkshire, our itinerary based in Hawes and the surrounding Wensleydale…
