Hawes is England’s highest market town, at 850 feet above sea level, setting it in a spectacular landscape surrounded by the fields of the Yorkshire Dales. It makes the perfect spot for cafes, family fun and a good, relaxing roam. It’s only a 40 minute drive from the park, and a sensational journey at that; winding its way out of Ingleton and along past the Ribblehead viaduct.
Wander the cobbled streets of this ancient market town, taking in the boutique shops selling crafts and antiques, clothing or lovely homewares. Enjoy a bite to eat in one of Hawes’s traditional pubs or enjoy a pot of Yorkshire tea in a quaint café.
Every Tuesday, Hawes comes to life with its traditional market taking place in the centre of the town, with stalls selling provisions, antiques and the usual market delights including sheepskin rugs!
Close to Hardraw Force and Aysgarth Falls, enjoy the walk to see these scenes of beauty. Hardraw Force is set in sensational woodland, and it’s claim to fame is that it is the highest single drop waterfall in England, at over 10,000 feet. Explore the waterfalls on a circular walk from Hawes and find a route here.
Aysgarth Falls can be found near the village of Aysgarth, a short drive past Hawes. The River Ure tumbles across a series of limestone steps, creating Aysgarth Falls. Whilst these falls are not particularly high, they are one of Wensleydale’s classic beauty spots. Enjoy an easy walk through the pretty woodland and find our recommendation here.
For the Summer 2026 season, the Dales Bus will be running a bus service taking you up to Hawesom from High Bentham Main street. The timetable is available here and you are looking for bus service no. 80 which is on page 28 & 29 of the booklet (page 15 of the pdf document).
Nestled just a short distance from the village of Hawes, Gayle Mill Is a testament to Britain’s industrial heritage. Constructed in 1784, this grade 11 listed building is one of the oldest structurally unaltered cotton mills in existence. Beyond its industrial significance, the mill played a role during World War 2 housing soldiers and serving as a testing site for amphibious tanks in preparation for D-Day. Following major restoration, the mill has now been opened to the public.
Top of your list for a visit to Hawes should be a visit to Dales Countryside Museum. This interactive museum is filled with hands on exhibits telling the story of the people of Hawes and the landscape they live in. The car park makes a great start and end for your day as, alongside having public toilets, it is also a designated dark sky discovery location.
Bolton Castle is a short trip from Hawes, but well worth it. The castle offers memorable family days out with falconry events, wild boar feeding and archery.
For the cheese lovers, a trip to Hawes isn’t complete without a visit to Wensleydale Creamery . Enjoy the interactive creamery tour, learning about how cheese was traditionally made and how it supported the local area. Browse the well stocked gift shop for a range of excellent mementos from your stay and grab a bit of lunch from the café whilst you’re there.
This Yorkshire Dales town is worth visiting for the drive there alone! Steeped in history and with traditional features you’d expect to find in The Dales.
