Things to do - Market Towns and Villages in the Yorkshire Dales

Northern Dales

• Hawes
  One of England’s highest market towns at 850 feet (259 metres), Hawes is alive with bustle and activity and well known locally as the capital of Upper Wensleydale!
   
• Leyburn
  This attractive market town overlooking Wensleydale is known as ‘a town for all seasons’ as it has something to offer visitors all year round. Leyburn ‘Shawl’ is only a short walk from the Market Place and gives superb views over Wensleydale.
   
• Middleham
  Famous for its 12th century castle, the childhood home of Richard III, and its thriving racehorse training industry, Middleham is set amongst the beauty of the Wensleydale countryside with remote farms, quaint villages and heather covered grouse moors close by.
   
• Reeth
  Reeth is strategically placed at the junction with Arkengarthdale and Swaledale, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is an ideal base for a walking holiday all year round with challenging walks over the tops and lovely riverside and country walks.
   
• Richmond
  Founded by the Normans in 1071, Richmond in Swaledale centres on a vast cobbled market place - reputedly the largest in England! It has a splendid Castle Keep at Richmond Castle, the oldest and most complete Georgian theatre in England and delightful riverside and town trails.

Southern Dales

• Bentham
  This unspoilt busy little market town stands in meadows and woodland on the banks of the River Wenning and has a traditional market every Wednesday. It is an ideal base to visit either the Forest of Bowland or the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
   
• Clapham
  The unspoilt pretty village of Clapham is the focal point for many walks to suit all abilities from a gentle stroll around the village to climbing the mighty Ingleborough, one of the Three Peaks.
   
• Grassington
  One of the most popular villages in Wharfedale, Grassington lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and retains all its charm. It is also ideally located for exploring both the Southern and Eastern Dales.
   
• Ingleton
  In the shadows of mighty Ingleborough in The Three Peaks, this picturesque little market town is surrounded by natural wonders, both above and below ground. It is also ideally located to explore the Southern, Northern and Western Dales.
   
• Kettlewell
  This classic Yorkshire Dales village in Wharfedale provided the setting for the fictional village of ‘Knapely’ in the internationally acclaimed film ‘Calendar Girls’. It is surrounded by pristine Dales’ countryside and offers the visitor a real escape from urban lifestyles.
   
• Malham
  The picturesque village of Malham is surrounded by dramatic limestone scenery of cliffs, crags and scars, and the surrounding landscape is a paradise for horse riders, mountain bikers, climbers and walkers.
   
• Settle
  This delightful market town in Ribblesdale is surrounded by stunning scenery and features quaint historic buildings, delicious tearooms, a wealth of walks and a lively open-air market every Tuesday.
   
• Skipton
  Known as ‘The Gateway to the Dales’, Skipton in Airedale is a bustling market town with a popular open-air market every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday! It is also home to the impressive Skipton Castle, one of England’s best preserved medieval castles.

Eastern Dales

• Bedale
  This charming market town in Lower Wensleydale is situated within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors National Parks. Bedale’s history can be traced back to Saxon times.
   
• Masham
  Set in the stunning Lower Wensleydale countryside, Masham is famous for its Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally and annual Sheep Fair in September where up to 80,000 sheep can be sold at any one time!
   
• Pateley Bridge
  A favourite starting point to explore Nidderdale is Pateley Bridge, doublewinner of the Britain in Bloom Competition and a 2003 Yorkshire in Bloom silver Award Winner. It is also ideally located to explore the Yorkshire Dales National Park
   
• Harrogate
  Whilst it is just outside the Yorkshire Dales, the 2004 Entente Florale, Europe in Bloom winning spa town of Harrogate is close enough to make a good base for exploration or a daytrip from the Dales.
   
• Ripon
  Ripon City was founded over 1300 years ago, and boasts a wealth of cultural heritage including a magnificent 7th century Cathedral, quaint medieval streets and a fine Georgian market place.

Western Dales

• Dent
  Set in the beautiful and secluded valley of Dentdale, the village of Dent is enclosed by rounded hills, drystone walls, field barns, trees and hedgerows, and offers a real escape from city life.
   
• Kirkby Lonsdale
  The delightful market town of Kirkby Lonsdale has some lovely riverside and country walks and is set in the lush Lune Valley between the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks.
   
• Sedbergh
  Nestling in the foothills of the magnificent Howgill Fells in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Sedbergh is full of character with cobbled yards and fascinating historic houses, many of which bear the hallmarks of the old knitting and woollen trades.
   
• Kirkby Stephen
  The market town of Kirkby Stephen lies at the top of Mallerstang, at the source of the River Eden. From the square there are many narrow winding passageways, some leading down to the famous Franks Bridge.