When we picture the Yorkshire Dales, we picture drystone walls, rolling hills, the beautiful wildflower meadows of Muker along with waterfalls and more. It’s natural beauty is unsurpassed in our eyes, but on top of that is the Yorkshire Dales villages that are full of traditional pubs, fantastic independent shops and restaurants as well as being stepped in history.
We’ve selected some of the best Yorkshire Dales villages that you need to add to your bucket list for your next visit to the UK’s best National Park.
1. Reeth – Yorkshire Dales Villages
Located in the Swaledale region of the Yorkshire Dales, Reeth has been named one of the most peaceful spots – and there’s no surprise. It’s located high up in the Dales and sits surrounded by hills on all sides. It has three quaint country pubs and some lovely cafes and restaurants including a bakery, The Two Dales, that serves delicious sweet and savoury goodies along with fantastic barista-style coffes.
The whole of Reeth is centred around the village green in the middle and is one of our Yorkshire Dales villages that we look forward to visiting. Tan Hall, the highest pub in England in is a short twenty minutes away and well worth a visit.
2. Malham
This has to be on of the best Yorkshire Dales villages for us. We’ve visited this place on numerous occasions and every time it hits differently. It sits below the magnificent Malham Cove, the curved limestone wonder.
Everyone that visits needs to take on the four mile circular that takes on Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, and up towards the Malham Cove. And, it has to be finished with a pint and some food in either The Lister Arms, or our favourite dog-friendly stay Beck Hall, which has a fantastic little stream that runs alongside it.
3. Grassington – Yorkshire Dales Villages
Home to popular Channel 5 show All Creature Great and Small, Grassington is as idyllic as its gets. The traditional village is full oc character including a cobbled town square, stone cottages and the beautiful Linton Falls waterfall. You won’t be short of places to eat and drink on your visit that’s for sure.
It’s a great starting point for a range of fantastic hikes including the Dalesway along the River Wharfe. A short drive award is the fantastic Bolton Abbey and market town, Skipton.
4. Appletreewick
One of the smaller villages in the Yorkshire Dales, it’s made up of a few stone cottages with a beautiful ivy laidened pub, The New Inn that offers great ales and pub grub after a walk in the Dales. The village’s houses date back to 17th and 18th century stone cottages. It’s even got a classic British red telephone box, giving it that classic British feel.
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5. Kettlewell
The charming Yorkshire Dales village is home to grey stone houses, cute tea tooms and classic cosy pubs, perfect for summer and hiding away from the rain in the colder months by the warm fire. It makes up part of the Dales Way walking route towards Buckden and is a great base for explore the surrounding countryside.
In the summer months, the wildflower meadows surrounding the village makes it look even better than you can imagine.
6. Burnsall
Home to a beautiful 16th century bridge, Burnsall is the perfect place to enjoy a stroll on the edge of the River Wharfe that runs through the village before grabbing some lunch at the fabulous Red Lion Hotel. It’s located in the south of the Yorkshire Dales in the Wharfedale region. It’s a runy rural village with just a handful of houses, but is definitely one of the most picturesque.
7. Clapham
Usually used as a start point for the popular hike up Ingleborough, the national park’s highest peaks, Clapham is a tiny settlement made up of small cottages that overlook a babbling brook that runs through the middle of the village. On its doorstep is also Ingleborough Cave, Gaping Gill nad the erratic Norber Boulders.
8. Muker – Yorkshire Dales Villages
The rolling hills of the Dales speckled with an array of vibrant colours from the different species of flowers. One village’s wildflower meadows known as the “jewels in the crown” is particularly spectacular. Muker Meadows are a riot of wildflowers and wildlife.
The Dales village of Muker sites on a hillside above the River Swale, it’s home to less than 300 people and has changed very little in hundreds of years, which is part of its charm.
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