A weekend in Hawes

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

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Hawes is a small market town at the head of Wensleydale, famous for Wensleydale cheese, which is made at the creamery in the town and visited by hundreds of thousands of people. Wallace and Gromit's favourite cheese gave the creamery a new fame.

It is also the gateway to Hardraw Force, a spectacular waterfall, and to the dramatic Buttertubs Pass, and is a good base for the quiet northern Dales.

Best forFood lovers, Walkers, Families, Dog owners

Best time to goSpring to autumn for walking and waterfalls. The creamery and markets suit wet weather.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£320–£560, excluding travel

Getting thereLeeds: About 1 hour 30 minutes by car.

Check prices for a weekend in Hawes

Plan your weekend in Hawes

Top attractions in Hawes

The Wensleydale Creamery

A visitor centre with a cheese-making viewing area, a museum and a restaurant.

Hardraw Force

A waterfall said to be the highest single-drop fall above ground in England, reached through a pub.

The Dales Countryside Museum

A museum on the history of the Dales, in the old railway station.

Buttertubs Pass

A famous high road with views and deep limestone holes.

The market

A weekly market on Tuesdays, with local produce.

Best things to do in Hawes

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Malham Cove and Gordale Scar walk

A circular walk from Malham village takes in Malham Cove, an 80-metre limestone cliff with a clints-and-grikes pavement on top, and Gordale Scar, a dramatic gorge with a waterfall. Allow 3 to 4 hours.

Settle to Carlisle railway

The Settle to Carlisle line is one of England's most scenic railway journeys, crossing the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley over 73 miles. Allow about 1.5 hours one way.

Ingleborough walk

Ingleborough, at 723 metres, is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a distinctive flat-topped mountain with a Iron Age hillfort on its summit. Allow 4 to 6 hours.

More things to do near Hawes

Wensleydale cheese tour Hawes, Yorkshire Dales

Best areas to stay in Hawes

The town centre

Close to the creamery, shops and pubs.

Hardraw or Askrigg

Quiet villages nearby.

Wensleydale villages

Rural stays with views.

Best hotels in Hawes

Prices for a double room in Hawes typically fall around £90–£150 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Hawes

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. For dog-friendly or quiet stays, use the pet and review filters. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Hawes

Spring to autumn for walking and waterfalls. The creamery and markets suit wet weather.

Seasons that suit Hawes well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Hawes

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£90–£150
Food and drink, per day for two	£55–£85
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£320–£560

Mid-range destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Hawes

From Leeds: About 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
From Manchester: About 2 hours by car.
From Newcastle: About 1 hour 45 minutes by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Hawes

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in The town centre.
Saturday: Start with The Wensleydale Creamery, then Hardraw Force. In the afternoon, head to The Dales Countryside Museum.
Sunday: Visit Buttertubs Pass or The market, then head home.

Packing list for Hawes

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

More kit guides: Walking gear Wet-weather gear Dog travel gear

Good to know

There is no railway station, so most visitors drive.
Buttertubs Pass is steep and can close in bad weather.
The creamery is busy at weekends.

Hawes weekend FAQs

Is Hawes worth visiting?

Yes. It is a lively little town with great walks nearby, and the creamery is fun for families.

Where is Hardraw Force?

It is about a mile from Hawes, reached through the Green Dragon pub, which charges a small fee.

More weekend ideas

Yorkshire DalesNorth Yorkshire

Green valleys, limestone scars and drystone walls

GrassingtonNorth Yorkshire

A cobbled Dales village with waterfalls on the River Wharfe

Richmond (North Yorkshire)North Yorkshire

A Georgian market town beneath a Norman castle, at the door of Swaledale

SkiptonNorth Yorkshire

A busy market town and gateway to the Yorkshire Dales

Explore more: Best weekend breaks from Manchester and the North West · Best weekend breaks in Yorkshire and the North East · Best dog-friendly weekend breaks in the UK · Best family weekend breaks in the UK

Browse popular weekend activities or use the BritBreaks finder to match a weekend to your budget and travel time.

Last reviewed October 2026. Please check opening times and prices with each attraction before you go. Report an error or share a tip.