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The Wensleydale valley in evening light, framed by pines

Area guide

Yorkshire Dales

Where we’d send a friend: walks that start at your door, waterfalls worth the drive and pubs with the fire lit. Everything is measured from the cabins, nearest first.

  1. 2Our favourites
  2. 3Three days in the Dales
  3. 3Before you go
  4. 4Everything, nearest first
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The full guide, with a live map and links
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Our favourites

If you only do six things. Numbers match the map on page 4.

  1. The lancet-windowed walls of Jervaulx Abbey, seen through a gap in the weathered stone of the ruins.

    Jervaulx Abbey loop

    1Walk from the cabins11.3km, 3 hrs

    Our favourite walk, and it starts at your door. The abbey you can see from the cabins is the halfway point.

  2. Silky white water spilling over the limestone steps of Aysgarth Lower Falls in cool evening light.

    Aysgarth Falls

    16Waterfalls25 min drive

    The falls we send everyone to. After a night of winter rain they’re at their loudest.

  3. Looking down from Middleham Castle's keep over the gatehouse, stone rooftops and the green patchwork of Wensleydale.

    Middleham Castle

    7Castle10 min drive

    A castle, a square of old pubs and racehorses on the gallops in the morning, ten minutes away.

  4. Oak casks and stacked iron hoops in a Masham brewery yard.

    Masham’s breweries

    6Brewery tours10 min drive

    Two breweries in one market town. Book the Theakston tour and save room for the Old Peculier.

  5. Stacked gritstone towers at Brimham Rocks rising from autumn bracken and heather.

    Brimham Rocks

    19Rock formations35 min drive

    Wind-carved towers of gritstone on the open moor. The biggest view for the least effort.

  6. Limestone pavement at the lip of Malham Cove, the valley falling away beneath a brooding sky.

    Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss

    29Cove, ravine and waterfall1 hr 15 min drive

    Worth the drive: a limestone amphitheatre, a ravine and a waterfall, linked by one circular walk.

Rest + Wild · Yorkshire Dales area guide2

Three days in the Yorkshire Dales

Written for winter, when the days are short, the rivers run full and the fire is the best seat in the house. Check in from 4pm, check out by 10:30am, and fill the hours between with the wild.

  1. The copper bath on a cabin deck, filling with hot water at dusk

    Day oneArrive slowly

    1. On the way

      19Brimham Rocks

      Coming from the south? Stretch your legs among the gritstone towers, 35 minutes from the cabins.

    2. 2pm

      6Theakston brewery tour, Masham

      Book 48 hours ahead. Afterwards, stock up for supper in the market square.

    3. 4pm

      Check in

      Find your cabin among the pines and light the fire pit while there’s still light in the sky.

    4. Evening

      Copper bath, dark skies

      Run the bath and look up. On a clear night the sky out here gets properly dark.

    In winter. The sun sets around 4pm in December. Aim to arrive with the last of the light.

  2. A lone tree and drystone walls across snow-covered pasture at Sedbusk in Wensleydale, sheep grazing under a pale winter sky.

    Day twoFrom your door

    1. 9:30am

      1Jervaulx Abbey loop

      11.3km along the River Ure and through the abbey ruins, without touching the car.

    2. 1pm

      4Lunch by the fire

      The Blue Lion in East Witton, five minutes away, for local food and Masham ales.

    3. Afternoon

      Nothing at all

      The armchair, a book from the shelf, the view. This is what you came for.

    4. Evening

      Supper over the fire pit

      Logs, kindling and fire starters are waiting. Cook outside, eat wrapped up.

    Bring. Proper boots. The riverside path gets muddy after rain.

  3. Ice floes on the River Ure at Upper Aysgarth Falls, with frozen curtains of icicles on the wooded bank behind.

    Day threeThe long way home

    1. Sunrise

      Coffee on the deck

      Mist in the valley and frost on the fields, if you’re lucky.

    2. 10:30am

      Check out

      Leave the key, take the long way.

    3. 11am

      7Middleham

      The castle walls, the market square and, earlier in the day, racehorses on the gallops.

    4. Midday

      16Aysgarth Falls

      Three stepped falls on the Ure, in full spate after winter rain.

    5. 1:30pm

      11Lunch at The Wensleydale Heifer

      In West Witton, on the road back down the dale. Seafood, for a weekend worth celebrating.

    For the brave. A cold dip at Cauldron Falls in West Burton, five minutes from Aysgarth. Only when the water is calm.

Before you go

Check-in and check-out
Check in from 4pm and out by 10:30am.
Getting to your cabin
Park on site; each cabin is a 150–250m walk from the car. Pack light.
Off-grid by design
No wifi and no plug sockets. Every cabin has USB charging points, and power banks can be pre-ordered.
Nearest town
Masham, ten minutes’ drive, for pubs, cafés and supplies.
Dogs
Welcome, at £30 each per stay, with a long lead and stake provided. Keep them on a lead around livestock.
Wild swimming
Only swim when rivers are low and calm, never after heavy rain. Go with someone, and know your way out.
Your address
The exact address and directions come with your booking confirmation.
Rest + Wild · Yorkshire Dales area guide3

Everything, nearest first

5 miles10 miles20 milesMashamHawesRipon1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829The cabinsN

From your door

  1. 1Jervaulx Abbey loop11.3km walk
  2. 2Into Masham on foot8km walk

Within 15 minutes

  1. 3Jervaulx Abbey East Witton5 min
  2. 4The Blue Lion East Witton5 min
  3. 5Brymor Ice Cream High Jervaulx5 min
  4. 6Masham’s breweries Masham10 min
  5. 7Middleham Castle Middleham10 min
  6. 8The Tack Room Middleham10 min
  7. 9Richard III Middleham10 min
  8. 10Castle Keep Tea Room Middleham10 min
  9. 11The Wensleydale Heifer West Witton15 min
  10. 12The Black Swan Leyburn15 min
  11. 13The Sandpiper Inn Leyburn15 min
  12. 14Three Horseshoes Wensley15 min

Within half an hour

  1. 15Druid’s Temple Ilton25 min
  2. 16Aysgarth Falls Aysgarth25 min
  3. 17Cauldron Falls West Burton25 min

Within the hour

  1. 18Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Near Ripon35 min
  2. 19Brimham Rocks35 min
  3. 20Wensleydale Creamery Hawes40 min
  4. 21Hardraw Force Hardraw45 min
  5. 22Buckden Beck Buckden45 min
  6. 23Loup Scar Burnsall50 min
  7. 24Ghaistrill’s Strid Grassington55 min
  8. 25Linton Falls Grassington55 min
  9. 26The Retreat Grassington55 min

Worth the drive

  1. 27Bolton Abbey Wharfedale65 min
  2. 28Catrigg Force Stainforth70 min
  3. 29Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss Malham75 min

Drive times are from the cabins. Opening hours shorten in winter, so check before you set off. Websites, walking routes and the live map are in the full guide.

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