Welcome to limestone country with Yorkshire Dales Cottages
The Yorkshire Dales is one of the best places in the country to rent a holiday cottage. It’s a land of chocolate-box villages and epic limestone landscapes, and if you’re into outdoor pursuits like hiking, cycling and caving, a holiday in the Dales will take some beating. Yorkshire Dales cottages are ideal for short breaks and longer stays, and they come in all shapes and sizes – whether you’re looking for a romantic couples’ getaway or a more spacious pad for a larger group. Many are dog-friendly, too.
There’s a Yorkshire Dales cottage for everyone
With Yorkshire Dales Cottages, you should be able to find something to suit most budgets. If you’re looking to go easy on your wallet, there are lots of very reasonable holiday rentals in the area, and you might also get good rates if you look for late deals. As for those wanting a bit of luxury, there are plenty of upmarket lettings squirreled away among the farmhouses of North Yorkshire, some of which feature luxury amenities like hot tubs and pools.
Where to go for your Yorkshire Dales holiday
Covering more than 800 sq miles, the biggest challenge with a Yorkshire Dales cottage rental is deciding where to stay. Will you go for a quaint market town like Leyburn or Hawes, or place yourself in the heart of spectacular scenery with a holiday rental in Malham? You could opt for lazy days by the river and relaxed pub lunches in Grassington, or plump for high-end dining and spa treatments in Harrogate. One thing’s for sure – a holiday cottage in the Dales won’t disappoint.
Down by the riverside in Grassington
Down on the River Wharfe, Grassington holiday cottages are all about enjoying that classic market town vibe. Gorgeous Grassington’s got pubs, tearooms and shops aplenty, and there’s some great walking in the area, including the Dales Way and Bolton Abbey. Grassington’s also a great base for excursions, including the impossibly grand ruins of Fountains Abbey and neighbouring Studley Royal water gardens. If you’re visiting this part of the Dales in the summer, you might want to take a trip over to Burnsall – you’ll struggle to find a prettier village, and if the sun’s got his hat on then you could join the locals for a dip in the river.
Say “cheese” for the camera in Hawes
Hawes is a real insider tip for Yorkshire Dales holiday rentals. This cute market town is most famous as the home of Wensleydale cheese, and you can visit the creamery or even get the stuff deep-fried from the local chippy. Tucked away behind a pub just outside town is Hardraw Force – England’s largest single-drop waterfall – while the area’s got some of the best walking in the Dales. Don’t forget to visit the charming village of Reeth in nearby Swaledale, or take a drive up to the highest pub in the British Isles, the Tan Hill Inn.
Put yourself at the heart of the action in Leyburn
Leyburn’s a smart market town with hands-down one of the best locations in the Dales. The area’s best known for its glorious waterfalls – of which Aysgarth Falls is the most famous – but a Leyburn holiday rental also puts you within easy reach of some of Yorkshire’s most imposing ruins. Middleham Castle and Bolton Castle are both just a short drive away, as are the remains of Jervaulx Abbey. Families won’t want to miss out on the quirky, spooky gardens of the Forbidden Corner, while real ale lovers should set their sights on the breweries of Masham.
Make like Harry and Hermione in Malham
If the Dales had a flagship village, Malham would be it. From your Malham holiday rental, it’s an easy stroll out to the spectacular cliffs of Malham Cove, and a short, sharp climb will take you up onto the famous limestone pavement, where Harry Potter and Hermione set up camp in “The Deathly Hallows”. Malham’s at the heart of some of the best walking in the Dales – including classic ascents like Pen-y-Ghent and Ingleborough – and when you return to your holiday cottage in the evening, the village itself offers some classic country pubs to hunker down in.