The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the biggest in the country and is a popular spot for hiking and weekends away. This is due to the amount of natural beauty it has on its doorstep. The region is renowned for its rolling hills, limestone valleys and wonderful natural beauty. The National Park has varied landscapes including deep valleys, rugged moors and lush meadows that keep visitors returning throughout the year. And, we’ve put together some of the best Yorkshire Dales attractions for you to visit, so you can make the most of your time in the beautiful Dales.
Dotted with charming stone-built villages, historic castles and dry stone walls that create a patchwork view, you can get lost in the picturesque views as you make your way through its scenic walking trails, such as the Pennine Way. It’s also rich in wildlife and geological features such as the limestone pavements, waterfalls and more making it a symbol of England’s rural heritage and outdoor enthusiasts.
So, what are the best Yorkshire Dales attractions to visit?
1. Malham Cove
Located a short walk from the village of Malham Malham Cove is a huge natural limestone cliff which was once a prehistoric waterfall. The main pulls of the area are the cove, which is a huge limestone amphitheatre, Gordale Scar, which is one of the most impressive sights in the Yorkshire Dales and of course the beautiful Janet’s Foss Waterfall.
A circular 4-mile walk takes in the sights of Malham, such as Malham Cove, Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar the Cove and a big old hike away is Malham Tarn. After taking in some of the best Yorkshire Dales attractions all in one day you can head back over to Malham and enjoy a pint of ale at one of its pubs. We love to visit Beck Hall, but the other Malham pubs in the village The Lister Arms and The Buck Inn are both great places for a bite to eat and a pint as well.
2. Fountain’s Abbey
Located near Ripon in North Yorkshire, Fountain’s Abbey is the largest and best-preserved Yorkshire ruins in England. It combines two moments in history with medieval blending with 18th-century landscapes full of little gems. One of the reasons why visitors see it as one of the Yorkshire Dales attractions that is a must-visit.
Expect vaulted ceilings, grand columns and an imposing tower when visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also home to the fantastic gardens at Studley Royal, which is the best example of a Georgian Water garden in England.
If that wasn’t enough the parkland is home to over 300 red, sika and fallow deer and a St Mary’s Church, which is one of the finest examples of high Victorian gothic revival architecture in England.
3. Ribblehead Viaduct
The iconic viaduct built back in 1874 to carry passengers from Settle to Carlisle across a stretch of the Yorkshire Dales creates a fantastic view that many photographers try to capture every day. Witnessing trains travel along the Ribblehead viaduct is a real treat, and possibly one of our favourite Yorkshire Dales views.
4. Hull Pot
At first glance, it might just look like a great big hole in the ground. But Hull Pot is so much more than that. A collapsed cavern that measures 60 feet deep, Hull Pot is a fascinating sight to stumble across when exploring the Pen-y-Ghent area.
Head on over after a bit of heavy rain and you’ll be greeted with the impressive sight of a stunning waterfall, which cascades over the edge of the cavern filling the bottom with water.
5. Aysgarth Falls
Yorkshire, or God’s Own Country – as we locals proudly refer to it – is home to some of the most fantastic walks in the world and Ingleton Falls easily tops the list. This breathtaking waterfall walk found on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales is home to waterfalls in all shapes and sizes, which is why it is so popular with locals and tourists alike all year round.
It’s one of the many Yorkshire Dales attractions that is all-out fairytale-style. With waterfalls that are usually reserved for storybooks, except right here in Yorkshire for our own viewing pleasure. It’s one of the perks of living in one of the greenest parts of the country and we couldn’t be more grateful for the honour.
6. Ingleton Waterfall Trail
This breathtaking waterfall walk, found on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, is home to the Ingleton waterfall trail, which is why it is so popular with locals and tourists alike all year round. Located at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, near our sworn enemies in Lancashire, the Ingleton Waterfall Trail is loved by many – and for good reason, too, since it’s as magical as it sounds.
Offering majestic sights of five main waterfalls and eight water spots in total, the trail follows the River Twiss and the River Doe from the Ingleton starting point, where, along the way, you’ll also be treated to spectacular sights of one of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks, Ingleborough.
7. Hardraw Force Waterfall
Sure, there are grander waterfalls in the Dales, but Hardraw Force is a real delight. England’s largest single-drop waterfall, Hardraw Force plunges by 100 feet into a peaceful pool where visitors tend to swim in the summer months.
Sitting just behind a traditional pub, it’s one of the only natural wonders in Yorkshire that is easily explorable for those who like a pint after a bit of exploration. If you’re heading to see Yorkshire Dales attractions, you want to see one of the countries biggest things and this is just that.
8. Brimham Rocks
Found within the stunning Nidderdale landscape, Brimham Rocks is a curious place, filled with giant rock formations which are believed to have been created by a river 100 million years before even dinosaurs existed. It’s a pretty impressive ordeal wandering through as the formations loom over you, and many of them are even perfectly formed so you can climb up atop them and check out the gorgeous panoramic views of Yorkshire.
9. Stump Cross Caverns
Whether it’s that point of the summer holidays when the kids are getting bothersome or just a regular Saturday in August, you’re probably looking for something to do with the family. And thankfully at the Yorkshireman HQ, we’re never short of recommendations. Enter, Stump Cross Caverns.
Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, the incredible tourist destination is so much more than just a cave – with tons of activities to keep kids and big kids alike entertained. The activities are fantastic accompaniments to the real star of the show, the caverns, which guests can explore underground at their leisure, uncovering the hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites.
The caves are great Yorkshire Dales attractions and guests can explore the caverns twice during their visit, not only seeing them in all of their beautiful glory in warm show-lighting but also in the dark after 3pm as part of the UV experience, with just ultraviolet torches to see the incredible details of the caves.
10. Gaping Gill
Described as a cave that’s ‘big enough to fit an entire cathedral inside’ (we’re actually serious, it’s true!), Gaping Gill is really something. Not only does the dark cave offer lots to explore, but it’s also home to a beautiful waterfall, too, which runs 100m to the bottom of the cave from Fell Beck.
The Gill is pretty big, obviously, but it can be accessed by the general public via a winch twice a year in both May and August.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the largest in the country and a favoured destination for hiking and weekend getaways, thanks to its abundant natural beauty. The region is celebrated for its sweeping hills, limestone valleys, and breathtaking landscapes. With a diverse range of scenery, from deep valleys and rugged moorlands to verdant meadows, the park attracts visitors all year round. To help you fully enjoy your time in this stunning area, we’ve compiled a list of the top attractions in the Yorkshire Dales for you to explore.
Read More: 13 Of The Most Stunning Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls You Need To Visit
