The ten most beautiful places in the Yorkshire Dales

With wonderful waterfalls surrounded by ancient woodland, dramatic natural limestone cliffs where you can spend time enjoying the view, and beautiful wildflower meadows to wander around, there are seemingly endless options when it comes to naming the prettiest places in the Yorkshire Dales.

The villages nestled between these natural wonders really capture the spirit of the county and you’ll be charmed by the warm Yorkshire welcome when you visit. When you’re ready to explore the local attractions, you’ll find fascinating historical sites that linger in the mind long after you’ve left. 

We have taken on the tough challenge of whittling the list down to ten of the most beautiful places in this paradise called the Yorkshire Dales and have included somewhere to stay close to each of them. For more inspiration, read our guide to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and browse our range of cottages to find your perfect base for exploring. 

Skip to:

• Malham Cove and Janet’s Foss
• Hardraw Force
• Aysgarth Falls
• Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
• Fountains Abbey 
• Kettlewell
• Reeth  
• Muker Meadows
• Bolton Abbey
• Ribblesdale
• Map of beautiful places in the Yorkshire Dales

Malham Cove and Janet’s Foss

It’s worth visiting this pair of beauty spots together in a circular walk from Malham. You’ll reach Janet’s Foss first, the stunning waterfall said to be named after the queen of the fairies, and it captures the imagination due to its atmospheric setting – the cascade pours into an entrancing clear pool, perfect for wild swimming. 

When you emerge from the ancient woodland surrounding the  waterfall, you’ll arrive at Malham Cove, which is so named because this mighty limestone cliff is formed like a natural amphitheatre. It’s a spectacular spot on the landscape, and if you approach it from above, you’ll also see the other geological marvel, the limestone pavement, which sounds pedestrian but is an impressive slab of rock. Don’t forget to look up to enjoy the panoramic view of the Dales in every direction. 

Hardraw Force

At nearly 100ft high, water thundering down Hardraw Force near Hawes is an awe-inspiring sight and fact fans will delight in the knowledge that it’s the highest single-drop waterfall in England. It’s located in the grounds of a historic Yorkshire pub called The Green Dragon Inn and there’s a modest entrance fee of £4 to give access to the extensive pathways around the top and bottom of the waterfall.  You’ll soon see why Turner was inspired to sketch these beautiful falls and Hardraw Force also featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner famously bathing under the water. Dogs on leads are welcome around the waterfall.

Aysgarth Falls

As the River Ure flows down the hillside, Aysgarth Falls begins with a modest trickle at Low Falls, where slabs of rock form perfect viewing platforms to watch the water from. It then builds more momentum at Middle Falls until finally it’s a majestic torrent at High Falls, especially when it’s in full spate after heavy rain. 

The gentle woodland walk to the first two of the three stages has a carpet of wood anemones and bluebells in spring, and there’s a cracking photo opportunity of Bolton Castle all year round! The final waterfall is a separate easy amble from the Visitors’ Centre. After you’ve had your fill of cascades, the neighbouring Coppice Café is a well-placed rest stop.

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Describing itself as a ‘waterfall wonderland’ the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail has been enjoyed for 140 years, when visitors first flocked from Manchester, Bradford and Leeds to see this watery marvel. The 4.5-mile waterfall walk typically takes between 2.5 to 4 hours to complete, depending on how long you stop to smell the daisies (and other wildflowers) along the walk. As well as waterfalls, you can expect shaded woodland with many rare ferns and mosses and splendid views of surrounding countryside. There are also kiosks and picnic spots at strategic points in this carefully thought-out trail, where you can stop for refreshments 

Fountains Abbey 

With sprawling ruins surrounded by ornamental lakes and magnificent temples, it’s easy to see why the awe-inspiring Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens near Ripon became Yorkshire’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over the centuries, the abbey has crumbled into magnificent disrepair to the point where the Georgians used it as an evocative focal point for the surrounding gardens. The meticulously designed landscaping and water features end with a surprise view of the abbey, also known as Anne Boleyn’s Seat. It’s a breathtaking feat of 800 years of design and vision, and an essential item on your Dales tick-list.

Kettlewell 

Mentioned in the Doomsday Book, the Wharfedale village of Kettlewell has its roots in the industrial past, but now the rat race has become more of a stroll, with a nice deli to visit and a charming village shop to browse around. If you want to change up a gear, it’s also a handy pitstop before tackling Buckden Pike, one of the more challenging Fells. You may also recognise Kettlewell from the Helen Mirren film Calendar Girls, when the village was transformed into the fictional location of Knapely.

Reeth  

A picture-postcard pretty Yorkshire Dales village on the boundary between Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, Reeth’s cottages and shops are centred around a large green where you can set down a chair or picnic blanket to watch the world go by. It’s also the start (or end) of the Swale Trail, a 12-mile combination of tracks and quiet country lanes that you can cycle on between here and Keld. Reeth also hosts the annual Ard Rock Festival for mountain bike enthusiasts, and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales hills are perfect for a challenging ride with hire and route information available from Dales Bike Centre.  

Muker Meadows

Above the charming village of Muker lies pasture so glorious that it was included in the 60 Coronation Meadows around the UK, named by King Charles as ‘jewels in the crown’. To appreciate them at their best, timing is key – there’s a window between May and July when the flowers are in bloom and the hay hasn’t been harvested yet. What makes these meadows so special? It’s the sheer variety of species, from the familiar buttercup and clover to the rarer yellow-rattle and melancholy thistle. The abundance of different flowers is not only a visual treat, but it also helps restore other meadows when the seeds are ready to collect.

Bolton Abbey

With dramatic ruins, a pretty estate village and acres of woodland to explore, Bolton Abbey is a beautiful Yorkshire Dales attraction that has it all. This country estate near Skipton is dotted with wonderful sights to see, including the famous 62 stepping stones that will take you across the river to the priory ruins. Other highlights include the ancient Strid Wood, which is carpeted with bluebells during the spring and the Aqueduct, a large turreted bridge that crosses the river at the top of the woodland. The walks at Bolton Abbey are terrific with The Valley of Desolation and Simon’s Seat, an 8-mile ramble around Marden Moor, one of our favourite routes to try. You’ll find different places to explore throughout this fabulous estate, each with a story to tell, and various seasonal events throughout the year. 

Ribblesdale

Ribblesdale is one of the most popular walking destinations in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and with stunning scenery in all directions, it’s easy to see why. The area includes the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks, made up of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-Y-Ghent and is also part of several long-distance walking routes like the Pennine Way and Dales High Way. You don’t have to be a walker to appreciate the beauty of it though, the heritage Settle-Carlisle Railway chuffs through the valley, most memorably over the Ribblehead Viaduct. The landscape here, which can easily be explored from the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, includes spectacular limestone ravines, ancient woodland and a patchwork of rolling farmland that’s interspersed with traditional drystone walls.   

Map of beautiful places in Yorkshire Dales

Find the most beautiful places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales with this handy map:

Plan your Yorkshire Dales getaway

Whether you’re drawn to a wild and windswept cottage far from the daily hubbub or love to be in the heart of cosy village life, there’s a comfortable cottage just waiting for you. Take your pick from our tempting selection of rustic and well-appointed homes that will make your holiday a trip to remember.