Days out in Yorkshire Dales – a brilliant natural playground for adults and children, Yorkshire Dales feature on the big screen, appearing in Harry Potter, Calendar Girls and Emmerdale.
Days Out in Yorkshire Dales – don’t need to be expensive – Yorkshire is known for its thriftiness and is known as God’s Own County.
We’ve listed many amazing things to see and do in the Yorkshire Dales, all for free.
You may be keeping an eye on your purse strings, saving up, or perhaps searching for a bargain. we’ve rounded up 10 perfect free ideas for Days Out in Yorkshire Dales.
Listed: Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales
| Location | What to Expect and Do | SatNav Address |
|---|---|---|
| Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales – Bolton Abbey | Bolton Abbey: Abbeys and priories can be found in abundance in Yorkshire, each providing pieces in the historic jigsaw of life from the 12th century to 16th century. One of the best is Bolton Abbey, whose historic ruins are set in 33,000 acres set in beautiful Wharfedale countryside. The 60 stepping stones across the River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey offer a fun and challenging experience and are synonymous with any visit to Bolton Abbey. The stepping stones were previously the River Wharfe’s crossing method for village workers coming to and from the Priory. For those who do not wish to cross via the stepping stones, there is a bridge offering a safe and dry passage, where you can be amused by watching those on the stepping stones! The awe-inspiring Bolton Abbey and stepping stones will be high on your list to see, but that’s not all on offer during your visit. Walk through the ancient Strid Wood, full of trails and landmarks, including the marine fossil quarry and Grade I-listed architectural structures. The Strid, a natural wonder of the River Wharfe, is where the river dramatically narrows forcing the water through narrows at great force. The Strid is very fast and dangerous, and lives have been lost – take note of the signs and stay well back from the edge. The Strid can be accessed from all three Bolton Abbey estate car parks. It’s free for pedestrians but there are car parking charges. | Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6EX |
| Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales –Aysgarth Falls | Aysgarth Falls: Consists of three waterfalls – Lower Force, Middle Force, and Upper Force and stretches over a mile of the River Ure, on its descent to mid-Wendsleydale. Aysgarth Falls have been a popular visitor attraction for over 200 years. The landscape artist Turner was here in 1816 and John Ruskin, the artist and the poet William Wordsworth have also visited. The famous fight scene with Little John in ‘Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves’ was filmed at Aysgarth Falls’ Upper Force Follow the signposted routes up to the falls and admire the glorious spectacles and soak up the atmosphere, before following it downstream. On your return to the start, watch out for wildlife in Freeholders Wood Nature Reserve. A variety of wildflowers are in bloom in spring and summer. Many species of birds, along with squirrels and deer may also be sighted. | Aysgarth Falls, Aysgarth, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 3TH. |
| Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales – Ribblehead Viaduct | Ribblehead Viaduct: You can gaze in awe at one of the great feats of Victorian engineering with a visit to the Ribblehead Viaduct. Its 24 gigantic arches tower over the Yorkshire Dales and it still carries trains over it on the Settle-Carlisle line. Work started in 1870 and one hundred lost their lives making it. You can find out all about its history at the visitors centre. There are remnants of an old workers’ camp underneath one of the 24 arches which has now been dedicated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Discover Ribble Head Viaduct Walks, the adjacent Yorkshire Three Peaks, and Ribblehead Viaduct car parking advice here | Ribblehead Viaduct, Ribblehead, North Yorkshire, LA6 3AS. |
| Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales –Jervaulx Abbey | Jervaulx Abbey: Jervaulx is often pronounced “Jarvis” by locals and Jar-voh by others. Jervaulx Abbey remains an icon of the Yorkshire landscape nearly 500 years after its dissolution, despite the pillaging of Henry VIII. Today, the dramatic, rugged ruins are a spectacular attraction. Jervaulx Abbey is also part of the Turner Trail, celebrating the 1816 visit to the area of Aysgarth Falls, West Tanfield, Masham, East Witton and Jervaulx Abbey by the world-famous artist JMW Turner. A view of the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey was taken by Turner from the park to the southeast, and was probably Turner’s first impression on arrival at the site. There is a 2.5-acre caravan and tent site on the Jervaulx Estate which provides ample room in a peaceful walled orchard area with mature trees. Jervaulx Abbey is an exclusive and stunning licenced wedding venue with 3 sites available to hire a choice of marquees, teepees or yurts, depending on the wedding party size. Two paddocks and an area at the front of Jervaulx Abbey provide a beautiful and stunning backdrop to the event. So check out Jervaulx Abbey’s wedding venue during your visit, you may see a wedding ceremony in progress! The racehorses of Middleham are approximately 3.5 miles away from Jervaulx Abbey. Middleham is in the middle of Yorkshire’s most famous racing centres, where a dozen or so trainers handle hundreds of top-class racehorses – they are exercised on the wide expanse of Middleham Moor every day, which is a tremendous sight to witness. | Jervaulx Abbey, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 4PH. |
| Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales – Burnsall Village, Loup Scar and Hebden Suspension Bridge | Burnsall Village, Loup Scar and Hebden Suspension Bridge: Loup Scar is a short limestone gorge on the River Wharfe, between Burnsall village and the historic suspension footbridge at Hebden. If you’re into wild swimming adventures or just watching, this Yorkshire beauty spot outside Burnsall offers a lovely gentle walk from the Red Lion at Burnsall to the suspension bridge at Hebden along the banks of the River Wharfe and on to Grassington. People love to take to the water as it’s a popular spot for wild swimming and jumping in from the cliff, with a big plunge pool beneath. You’ll see the brave jumping in; extreme caution should be exercised of course! There’s another shallower pool further downstream. | Loup Scar, Burnsall, North Yorkshire, BD23 6DM. |
| Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales-Malham Cove | Malham Cove: One of the best free things to do in Yorkshire has to be a visit to the truly awe-inspiring natural wonder of Malham Cove. Malham Cove is a curved limestone scar with the iconic naturally-formed limestone pavement at the top. There are magnificent views over Malhamdale from the top. There are steep steps up and down, with Malham Beck gently meandering at the bottom. You’ll usually see skilled climbers on the rock face pursuing their hobby. However, the walk from Malham village to the bottom of the curved amphitheater of Malham Cove is not a challenging walk, and your dog will love it! Malham Cove and the iconic limestone pavement at the top, was featured in the film Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows | Malham Cove, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 4DA. |
| Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales-Janet’s Foss | Janet’s Foss: Only a short signposted walk from Malham village, a picturesque waterfall takes Gordale Beck over a limestone lip before thundering down 16 feet into the deep pool below. You’ll also see the brave jumping in here; and again, extreme caution should be exercised of course! Named after Janet, Queen of the Fairies, it was said she lived in the cave covered by the waterfall. In days gone by, the pool and waterfall were best known as a former’s sheep dip but don’t worry, the sheep are long gone and it really is a lovely beauty spot to visit. | Janet’s Foss, Gordale Lane, Malham, North Yorkshire, BD23 4DA. |
| Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales-Brimham Rocks | Brimham Rocks: They’re a series of magnificent balancing rock formations, fashioned by years as water, wind and glaciation erosion. You can freely wander across the heather moorland and woodlands to see and clamber on, such formations as Dancing Bear, Eagle and Smartie Tube. Brimham Rocks – one of the most incredible natural wonders in Yorkshire. | Brimham Rocks, Summerbridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 4DW |
| Free Days Out in Yorkshire Dales–Yorkshire Three Peaks | Yorkshire Three Peaks: You’ll take on three of the highest peaks in Yorkshire, all in one go – and if you finish all three in under 12 hours, you’ll join the exclusive Three Peaks of Yorkshire Club. The Yorkshire Three Peaks walk takes in the iconic Ribblehead viaduct. The total Three Peaks distance is 24.5 miles and the total Three Peaks elevation gain is 1,568 metres. For the fit and fully prepared, with the correct clothing, footwear, equipment and provisions, it’s one of the most challenging ways to see the best of Yorkshire for free! | The Yorkshire Three Peaks at Pen-y-ghent Cafe, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire, BD24 0HE. |
| Location | What to Expect and Do | SatNav Address |
Calderdale
Additionally, visit beautiful Calderdale, the most southerly of the Yorkshire Dales – however, Calderdale and its fine and attractive town of Halifax are not in the National Park so has all amenities at hand, alongside beautiful countryside, historic buildings and culture.
Visit Calderdale’s The Piece Hall in Halifax – one of Yorkshire’s finest days out. It has a stunning Italineque piazza which is surrounded on all four sides by tiers of balcony walkways with an incredible selection of independent shops, bars, eateries and a museum that covers the history of the site.
Entry is free.
To watch the PlanPlacestoVisit.com video Visit the Piece Hall – Things to do in Halifax – enjoy the Piece Hall Shops and Piece Hall Bars click here