12 of the best Yorkshire Dales attractions

Famous for its unspoilt beauty, the Yorkshire Dales National Park has so much to offer. Whether you’re on the hunt for breathtaking scenery or fancy a mooch with the pooch, this glorious area will come up trumps. If keeping the kids amused is a priority, there’s some high-quality theme parks and engaging farm-based fun to entertain every generation. For dog walks with a difference, there’s a wealth of appealing attractions to visit where the hound can come too. The history lovers among you will be captivated by the stately homes and ruins in the region, where centuries of stories ooze from every brick. 

We have rounded up 10 of our favourite Yorkshire Dales tourist attractions and paired each one with an irresistible cottage nearby. Which will you click on first?

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• Family-friendly Yorkshire Dales attractions
• Dog-friendly Yorkshire Dales attractions
• Historic Yorkshire Dales attractions
• Natural Yorkshire Dales attractions

Family-friendly Yorkshire Dales attractions

There’s nothing more cheering than a day trip that the whole gang will enjoy, and these fun-filled spots are guaranteed to amuse.

Forbidden Corner

Image credit:  Forbidden Corner

Eccentric, quirky or just plain weird, Forbidden Corner is certainly an unusual place to visit. Set in a 4-acre walled garden, there’s a mind-boggling sculpture, tunnel or chamber around every corner – you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported onto the film set of Labyrinth. 

Don’t expect to receive a map, part of the fun is being completely disoriented! There are so many surprises that you’re kept giggling around the whole place. Along with the extraordinary, there’s also areas of real beauty, such as the reclaimed stained-glass windows in the chapel. The fact that it’s set in the rolling countryside of the Dales only adds to the charm.   

Hesketh Farm Park

Wholesome fun is to be had at Hesketh Farm Park, where you can make friends with the well-cared-for animals. Farmer Chris and his team make learning how a farm runs fully interactive and never dull. Feeding time is a particular highlight, as well as brushing the pigs of all sizes, from guinea right up to proper porkers! You can go on a tractor ride around the farm and burn off some energy in the adventure playground – the double zipwire never gets old.

Bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the indoor or outdoor tables or treat yourself to a home-baked snack at the café.

Lightwater Valley Theme Park

Image credit: Lightwater Valley

Whether you prefer the faster the better or gently does it, Lightwater Valley is a theme park that caters for every sensibility. Of the 40 rides set in beautiful grounds, there’s high-speed rollercoasters and majestic swan boats to keep all the family entertained. You can take the Lightwater Express Train between the different attractions or take a leisure trip just to get your bearings. 

Regular shows and ‘meet and greets’ by the talented crew bring a showbiz dazzle to the proceedings and the adventure playground will let the kids burn off steam between rides.

Dog-friendly Yorkshire Dales attractions

Having a pup needn’t scupper your plans, there are lots of places where dogs are welcome in the Yorkshire Dales.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Discover the ancient splendour of Fountains Abbey, which was first built over 900 years ago to provide a home for monks. Centuries later it’s now a ruin, but architectural features of this magnificent structure remain, providing an exquisite backdrop for the nearby water gardens. This series of ponds and water features that form Studley Royal Water Garden is one of the best examples of Georgian landscape design, and together with Fountains Abbey, form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Four-legged friends will love exploring the whole of this dog-friendly Yorkshire Dales attraction, that’s managed by the National Trust. There are plenty of water bowls and dog bins especially for them, but make sure to keep pups on a short lead due to the abundant wildlife around the beautiful gardens. 

Ingleborough Cave

The glories of the Dales aren’t confined to what’s up top – there’s also a host of awe-inspiring sights below ground, one of which is the impressive Ingleborough Cave. This enormous cavern houses a host of stalagmites and stalactites that have been formed over thousands of years of water dripping through the mineral deposits in the rock, creating a sculptural display of geology in action. Electric lights and solid paths have made it accessible to man and dog alike. Afterwards, head back up to The Old Sawmill Café for a quality meal back in the dry. 

Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

Spanning 4 glorious miles of the most idyllic rail track in this corner of the world, the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is a gorgeous way to explore the Yorkshire Dales. Passing through dramatic Yorkshire Dales countryside between the adorable Embsay Station, built in 1888, and the Bolton Abbey terminus that’s a stone’s throw from the famous ruins, the railway showcases the magnificent steam engines that powered the Victorian era. Thomas the Tank Engine fans will love the regular ‘Days out with Thomas’ events where you can meet the various trains, and it’s worth making a beeline for the gift shop for some vintage memorabilia. Choose from the traditional tea rooms at either station or dine in the buffet car (on selected dates) during the journey.

Historic Yorkshire Dales attractions

Get a sense of the history of this wonderful part of the world with a visit to some of its notable residences.

Bolton Castle

Step back in time at Bolton Castle, where a medieval way of life is celebrated in vivid colour. There’s plenty of contemporary activities to try your hand at, including archery, falconry and traditional games, plus a well-stocked dressing-up box to rummage through to cut a dash in some 14th-century garms. 

Engaging performances from actors recreate key events in the castle’s chequered past, such as Mary Queen of Scots’ imprisonment, and you can discover how illnesses were treated with the array of medicinal herbs grown in the medieval garden. Happily, the offerings in the tearoom are freshly made so you can head there for a cuppa and a cake after exploring the castle’s beautifully restored rooms and gorgeous gardens.

Bolton Abbey

You can expect to spend a full day at Bolton Abbey, because it’s not just about the famous ruins. Although the abbey remains are spectacular, there’s so much more to discover at this 30,000-acre estate. The riverside location offers 62 stepping stones to hop across and a sandy beach area where you can picnic, build sandcastles and paddle in the water. Strid Wood is an ancient oak woodland with meandering nature trails to follow and the Barden Tower and Priory Church are fascinating glimpses of what was once a thriving community.

You can also walk through the Valley of Desolation (don’t be put off by the name), which is a lush woodland alive with nature, and arrive at a magnificent waterfall and breathtaking views at Simon’s Seat, a rocky outcrop that’s 485 metres above sea level.

Skipton Castle

This wonderfully preserved medieval castle dates back more than 900 years and looks out over Skipton High Street from an elevated spot in the market town. Skipton Castle miraculously managed to survive a 3-year siege during the English Civil War and the intact rooms you can explore include kitchens, bedrooms, libraries and a grand banqueting hall. You can head down to the spooky dungeon to experience life as a medieval prisoner or climb up a watchtower to enjoy views over the Yorkshire Dales.   

You’ll be given a leaflet full of fascinating facts when you enter Skipton Castle and the self-guided tour will typically take a couple of hours to complete. It’s also worth visiting Skipton Castle Woods, a serene nature reserve that once provided food, building materials and fuel for the castle.

Natural Yorkshire Dales attractions 

From pretty waterfalls to dramatic limestone coves, you can’t come to the Dales without visiting the natural wonders of this exceptional landscape

Janet’s Foss

Transport yourself to the land of make-believe with a trip to Janet’s Foss, a place so magical that it’s been captured in local legend as the dwelling of the queen of the fairies, who was said to live in a cave behind the waterfall. This crystal-clear cascade tumbles over a carpet of vibrant green moss into a limpid pool that begs to be swum in. 

The 45-minute walk there from Malham village will take you through ancient woodland where wild garlic releases its pungent aroma during spring. The unique microclimate around here means you get to glimpse rare botanical species such as wood sorrel and green spleenwort – both names worthy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

How Stean Gorge

This phenomenal limestone gorge carved into the hillside near Pateley Bridge has many tempting ways to investigate it, depending on your nerve. You can simply don some wellies and splosh through How Stean Gorge under your own steam, or you can get creative and kayak between, abseil down and climb up the magnificent sheer walls, under the guidance of one of the centre’s team.

There’s also the option to keep completely dry and look out over the spectacular How Stean Gorge from the safe distance of the café, which has a glass floor providing the perfect view of the antics below.

Malham Cove

It’s great to have a focal point when you’re exploring places to see in the Yorkshire Dales, and Malham Cove fits the bill perfectly. The cove in question is a 260-ft limestone cliff that curves around, creating a natural amphitheatre in the landscape – there’s no doubt you’ve arrived when you’ve reached it. If approached from above, from the Ingleton direction, you’ll reach the flat area at the top, known as a pavement, and be rewarded with breathtaking views for miles. From below, starting in Malham village, you’ll pass by Janet’s Foss waterfall on your way – another beauty spot well worth a visit. 

Map of Yorkshire Dales attractions

Plan your adventures in the Yorkshire Dales with this map showing the best tourist attractions to visit:

Book your Yorkshire Dales cottage

Now you’ve discovered some of the best places to see in the Yorkshire Dales, you can choose from our tempting range of cottages to call home during your adventure. What’s on your tick list? A hot tub? An open fire? Or even a four-poster bed? All these options and more are available just a few mouse clicks away.