Hawes can be found in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, the centre of daily life for those who live in the Northern part of the Yorkshire Dales – with numerous pubs, cafes and shops making up the bustling market town. But there’s one particular thing that makes it extra special: cheese.
Globally loved with some very famous fans (Wallace and Gromit, of course), Wensleydale cheese has put Hawes well and truly on the map, with the creamery originally opening in the town in 1897. For over a century, it’s kept the art of cheesemaking alive in the Dale, using the traditional techniques developed by French monks in Wensleydale more than 800 years ago.
Today, Wensleydale Creamery is the most popular attraction in the area and the reigning monarch of Yorkshire cheese production, attracting over 300,000 visitors annually to see what the fuss is about. There, guests can learn about the history and take a tour of the facilities, taste Wensleydale delights along the way, and, of course, pick up a few wedges to take home from the shop.
Naturally, in Hawes, there’s no shortage of Wensleydale cheese to eat, either, with the Creamery itself serving up cheesy goodies in their cafe – including a Wensleydale cheese-themed afternoon tea – and even the local chippy [The Chippie Hawes] deep frying a hunk of it.
Generously battered before being fried in beef dripping, this cheesy treat of deep-fried Wensleydale is best enjoyed right out of the fryer, when the usually crumbly cheese is melted to perfection. It’s best paired with chips and mushy peas, and is a must-try when visiting the town.
Elsewhere, enjoy sandwiches, jacket potatoes and more topped with Wensleydale at The Wensleydale Pantry and Caffe Curva, alongside Wensleydale-laced afternoon teas at Stone House Hotel, and upmarket sandwiches and even their own take on deep-fried Wensleydale at Simonstone.
While the award-winning cheese is reason enough to visit Hawes alone, the quaint market town has plenty more to offer, from the stunning Gayle Beck that bursts through the heart of the town, the highest single-drop waterfall in the country [Hardraw Force], and the famous Pennine Way walking route passing through.
Whether it’s for the cheese or for a taster of true Yorkshire Dales town life, there’s no place like Hawes.
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