Wensleydale cheese tour

Hawes, Yorkshire Dales

Independent UK guide
Free to use
Affiliate links clearly labelled
Updated October 2026

LocationHawes, Yorkshire Dales

CostFree to enter the shop. The exhibition and viewing area typically cost about £5 to £8.

Best timeAny time of year, with weekday mornings best for seeing cheese being made.

How long1 to 2 hours

What to expect

The Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes has made cheese in the Dales for generations, and its visitor centre lets you watch cheesemakers at work, learn about the history of the cheese and taste different varieties. Wensleydale is crumbly and mild, and is often eaten with fruit cake. A museum, a shop and a restaurant make it an easy and popular stop for families.

Tips before you go

Cheese-making is usually visible on weekdays, so check the times before you go.
Taste several varieties, including those with cranberries and other flavours.
Combine with a walk to Hardraw Force.

Book or plan it

Tours, tickets and places to stay

Prices and availability change, so compare. These are affiliate links.

Where to base yourself

A weekend in Yorkshire DalesNorth Yorkshire

Green valleys, limestone scars and drystone walls

A weekend in HawesNorth Yorkshire

The home of Wensleydale cheese, in the heart of the Dales

What to pack

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Wet-weather gear Walking gear

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Ingleborough walkClapham and Ingleton, Yorkshire Dales

Ingleborough, at 723 metres, is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a distinctive flat-topped mountain with a Iron Age hillfort on its summit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see cheese being made?

Often, through a viewing window, but it depends on the day, so check the opening times.

Plan a weekend around this

Last reviewed October 2026. Prices, opening times and conditions change, so check with the provider before you go. Report an error or share a tip.