Cultural Highlights of the Yorkshire Dales
Many visitors come to the Yorkshire Dales for the stunning scenery, but there’s more to this national park than just the attractive views. It’s also a place that’s full of historic and cultural interest, from ancient abbeys and Victorian heritage through to thriving traditional crafts and a lively arts scene. There are plenty of ways to dip into the region's fascinating past and its present life, so we’ve picked out some of the best places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales to help you get to know this wonderful area a bit better.
Historical Yorkshire Dales landmarks
People have been living in this scenic area for many thousands of years, and they’ve left behind all sorts of intriguing buildings from family farms to grand castles. We’ve picked out just a few of our favourite historical buildings from across the years that are particularly worth visiting while you’re in the Yorkshire Dales.
Bolton Castle
Dating from 1378 and well preserved across the years, Bolton Castle is a place where the various attractions and activities will give you a great glimpse into life in the past. There’s loads to do at this excellent attraction – as well as touring the castle and its sprawling gardens, you can see archery demonstrations, watch bird of prey displays and feed wild boar on a daily basis. All of this makes for a great day out with the kids, and there are activity packs available too, with things like crayons, colouring sheets and treasure hunts to complete.
Local tip: The castle is great to visit on any day, but it’s even better if you can visit when there's a special event on – check out the events calendar for things like plays, concerts, re-enactments and spooky Halloween tours.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Two wonderful Yorkshire heritage attractions in one – a trip to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is full of variety and fabulous views. The history of this place dates back to 1132, when a group of Benedictine monks moved here to live a more peaceful and devout life than that of their colleagues in York. It fell into ruin in the mid 16th century after Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, and eventually became part of the Studley estate.
The gardens at Studley were turned from a wild woodland into a beautifully manicured water garden by John Aislabie in the 18th century, but there was one thing missing – a great view of the neighbouring abbey. That was all solved when his son William purchased the abbey and completed the garden’s outlook – at its very best at the corner known as ‘Surprise View’ because of its real ‘wow’ effect.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, and it’s a spectacular place to walk around, with the gardens still largely as they would have been when first designed over 200 years ago.
Local tip: The National Trust stages all sorts of special events at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, including kids’ craft sessions, themed walking tours and exhibitions or concerts. Take a look at what’s on to plan something special for your visit.
Middleham Castle
The childhood home of Richard III, Middleham Castle sits in ruins these days but is very much worth a visit for a taste of medieval life. Much of the site has been pretty well preserved, so you’ll be able to see several of the old towers and the sturdy keep, find the remains of the ancient horse wheel in the grounds, and climb up to the viewing platform for great views over the neighbouring village and the surrounding Wensleydale scenery.
As well as visiting the castle, you’ll also be able to drop in to the exhibition to learn more about the site and the people who lived there; there’s also space for kids to run around and play with their plastic swords and helmets. It’s all in the open air though, so remember to bring a waterproof and/or suncream with you.
Local tip: As with many English Heritage sites, you can save money by booking tickets online ahead of arrival – the discount applies until 8:45am on the day of your visit.
Yorkshire Dales museums and cultural centres
If you’d like to delve deeper into the history and heritage of the Yorkshire Dales, pay a visit to one of the museums scattered around the national park. There are several small museums that are worth a visit, and we’ve picked out a few of the best here.
Dales Countryside Museum
The Dales Countryside Museum, in the town of Hawes, is run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park and provides a comprehensive insight into the area’s past. The displays and interactive exhibits of this bright modern museum cover everything from ancient Viking jewellery and Bronze-Age tools to a church organ, school books and board games. It's all in the very characterful setting of the town’s old railway station and its goods building; there are also some well-maintained railway carriages to visit out the back.
A lot of effort has gone into making the Dales Countryside Museum a welcoming place for all – dogs and kids are welcome, and there are numerous facilities for mobility-impaired guests, including lifts, ramps and a Changing Places toilet (read our accessible Yorkshire Dales article for more great places to go if you have access needs).
Local tip: For more fascinating insights into life in the Yorkshire Dales, download the museum’s ‘Voices from the Dales’ podcasts – these short episodes featuring local people make a lovely soundtrack to a walk or drive through the area.
Grassington Folk Museum
Bringing the past to life is what it's all about at Grassington Folk Museum – this small museum in a traditional cottage is packed with exhibits from everyday life across the ages, giving visitors some insight into domestic, mining and farming life. You’ll see historical clothes, kitchen items, tools, toys and medical memorabilia while you're here, and learn about folklore and traditional beliefs as well. There's also a section of the museum dedicated to the former Yorkshire Dales Railway, which closed in 1969 – a must-see for train enthusiasts.
Local tip: The museum is run by volunteers and it’s free to visit, but donations are very welcome to help keep the place running.
Swaledale Museum
Swaledale and neighbouring Arkengarthdale, up in the north of the national park, are among the more remote parts of the Yorkshire Dales, so they’re good places to head for if you’d like to get a real sense of the area at its most traditional. While you're in the area, pay a visit to the small but informative Swaledale Museum, home to an eclectic collection of all sorts of historic items including fossils, old farming tools, clothes and toys from across the ages. There are also lots of photos telling the story of Swaledale throughout the years, showing the people and industries that have shaped this area.
Local tip: The museum is in Reeth, which is at the centre of a network of walking trails showcasing the best of the area’s scenery and heritage – the museum has some walk suggestions that tie in well with a visit here.
Festivals and cultural/heritage events
Delving into the past is fascinating in the Yorkshire Dales, but there's also plenty of culture and heritage that's alive and well in the form of events and festivals to visit. Whether you’re visiting the Yorkshire Dales or live nearby, visiting one of these events will help to preserve the traditions and cultural life of the area while also giving you a good day or night out.
Reeth Show
Usually held on the late August bank holiday, the Reeth Show is a family-friendly one-day agricultural show that celebrates traditional Yorkshire Dales life with a busy programme of displays and competitions, plus stalls where you can buy crafts, food and other local items.
Among the competitions are animal classes (particularly sheep and horses), vintage tractor contests, painting and photography competitions and a popular fell race. The whole thing kicks off with a performance from the local brass band, so it’s well worth getting in early to hear their evocative traditional tunes.
Local tip: Entries close a couple of weeks before the show so if you’re planning to throw your hat into the ring for any of the contests you’ll need to make sure you get your form in on time.
Swaledale Festival
If you like to mix up top-class arts events with some outdoor time, the Swaledale Festival is the one for you. Held across two weeks in May/June, this fantastic festival has a packed programme full of vibrant, varied events – take your pick from folk, jazz and classical concerts, talks and workshops, along with guided walks exploring various local themes. There are also art exhibitions to explore, and the festival supports an important community project taking music into local schools.
Events are individually priced, and you can sometimes pick up tickets on the day; however, some popular events (particularly the walks) sell out so it’s much better to book online. Tickets usually go on sale around early March, so it’s worth planning ahead if you can.
Local tip: There’s so much going on around Hawes that it's really worth staying around for a few days during festival time and going to several events – booking a campsite near to one of the village venues can keep the costs down a bit and put you close to some of the excellent walking trails in the local area.
The Georgian Theatre Royal
Just outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the town of Richmond, the Georgian Theatre Royal is one of the oldest working theatres in the UK, and a fantastic place to visit for anyone interested in theatre and the arts.
Seating just over 150, this is a lovely intimate venue for watching shows – the annual pantomime is the big event of the year but the theatre also stages plays, comedy acts and concerts throughout the year. Check out the events programme to find something that appeals to you. Meanwhile, for a real insight into theatre life, you can also book tours that will take you backstage, show you some of the scenery and props, and introduce you to life as a Georgian actor.
Local tip: If cinema is more your thing, take in a show at Richmond’s Station Cinema – as the name suggests, this indie cinema is housed in the town’s former railway station, which closed in 1969. The programme now includes current releases, classic movies and live theatre screenings.
Local food, crafts and markets
The Yorkshire Dales is a wonderful place to go shopping, with plenty of independent shops, markets and craft workshops to visit around the park. If you’re after gifts, souvenirs or a taste of the local area, try out one of our choices listed here.
Wensleydale Creamery
There are lots of fantastic things to eat and drink around the Yorkshire Dales, but Wensleydale cheese has to be one of the best known. And with good reason – this creamy and crumbly cheese is delicious! It’s been made here since the 12th century, and is still hand-made using local milk. This loyalty to tradition has earned Wensleydale cheese European Protected Geographical Indication status – a key factor in helping to preserve the product.
A visit to the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes is a great thing to do – you’ll learn about the history of the cheese, watch a detailed demo and peek inside the working factory before sampling the cheese and learning about how best to eat it. And of course, there’s a shop full of tasty treats and gifts, plus a café where cheese makes many appearances on the menu.
Local tip: If you’re a fan of finding local food experiences, take a look at the ‘Taste of the Dales’ map, which lists lots of the best places to go for local food and drinks in the Yorkshire Dales.
Settle Market
If you’d like to visit a traditional market in the Yorkshire Dales, they don’t come much more historic than this one – Settle Market was established on a charter from Henry III way back in 1249. Taking place in the town's market square every Tuesday, these days the market is packed with all sorts of stalls including clothes, jewellery, books and crafts.
Settle Market is also a great place to find local food – individual producers sell seasonal fruit and veg, fresh fish and local meats, cheeses, jams and honey among other things.
Local tip: If you’d like to make a day of it, come along early to pick up bits for a picnic and then head out for a ride on the Settle-Carlisle Railway, or a walk to one of the nearby scenic spots like Malham Cove or Stainforth Force.
Old School Muker Art Gallery & Craft Centre
Local arts and crafts make excellent gifts and souvenirs, and buying from independent makers is a great way to support a thriving cultural scene in the Yorkshire Dales. You may well stumble upon small shops or craft fairs while touring the national park, but for lots of choice all in one place go to the Old School in Muker – the largest art and craft space in the Yorkshire Dales.
More than 50 independent artists and makers display their works here, from prints and photographs to ceramics, glass and feltwork among others. The gallery also has a lovely walled garden where visitors can have a coffee and cake among the outdoor artworks.
Local tip: If you’d prefer to have a go at making your own crafts, take a look at the workshops offered by ArtisOn in Masham (including glass, jewellery and textile days) or the traditional basket and wood courses at Broadrake.
Hidden cultural gems
Seen the big sights of the Yorkshire Dales? There’s still plenty more to uncover in this scenic and heritage-filled park – have a look at our tips below for a bit of inspiration.
Dent Village Heritage Centre
One of the lovely things about the Yorkshire Dales is that it’s home to a good number of small museums that are dedicated to preserving the area’s history and traditions. The Dent Village Heritage Centre is a real gem among them – less well known than some, but forming a lovely tribute to its home village and surroundings.
The heritage centre has been set up in the village’s former filling station, with locals transforming and extending it in a project that was a real labour of love. Inside you’ll now find exhibits centred around everyday objects, including a setup of an Edwardian kitchen, a vintage car and toys and tools that have been gathered from local collections. There’s also a model railway representing the surrounding area.
Local tip: The village was once known as the home of the ‘Dent Knitters’, who developed a thriving cottage industry thanks to their incredible knitting speed. The Woolshed, behind the heritage centre, is now a great place to find handcrafted wool products and other local crafts.
Ribblehead Viaduct
Over in the western part of the Yorkshire Dales, the Ribblehead Viaduct is one of the national park’s truly stunning man-made attractions. Rising 32 metres above the moorland and with 24 huge stone arches, this Victorian structure is an attractive location for railway enthusiasts, historians and photographers alike.
One group that might be slightly disappointed here is the Harry Potter fans – some online sources suggest the Ribblehead Viaduct was one of the locations used for the films. But while this similar-looking bridge does play host to steam trains from time to time, the Hogwarts Express is not among them – for that, you need the Glenfinnan Viaduct, much further north in the Scottish Highlands.
Local tip: There are several walking routes from Ribblehead station that can help you get great views of the viaduct from up close or nicely framed within the landscape. Views are at their best at sunrise or sunset – if you’d like to try a steam train shot, check the steam schedule of the Settle-Carlisle Railway.
Jervaulx Abbey
Imagine acquiring a large country estate and finding the ruins of a 12th-century lurking in the grounds while restoring the gardens… well, that's a brief overview of the recent history of Jervaulx Abbey. Having fallen into ruin during the 16th-century dissolution of the monasteries, the abbey was rescued in the 1980s and restored by the owners to make it safe for the public to visit.
While not as well known as Fountains Abbey, Jervaulx Abbey is a similarly lovely place to visit, with pretty wildflower meadows and a lovely tearoom (with home-made cakes and savoury snacks) as well as the abbey itself to visit.
Local tip: Jervaulx Abbey is privately owned and doesn’t receive any major public funding – so while it's free to visit, donations via the honesty box on site or the website are very welcome to help with the upkeep of the site.
Planning your Yorkshire Dales break
There are so many things to do in the Yorkshire Dales – and so many ways to create a break that suits your own personal tastes. Perhaps you’d like to focus on visiting all the heritage attractions we’ve listed here, or just pick one or two to mix in with days of hiking or cycling. Perhaps you need family-friendly Yorkshire Dales attractions as well, or would like to find accessible places to visit? Whatever your plans are, Pitchup’s detailed articles have you covered. And we’ve got you covered for places to stay too – check out the full range of Yorkshire Dales campsites and glampsites to find somewhere that suits you.