Day trip

The Yorkshire Dales Tour from York

Activity provider: Yorkshire Day Tours
Day trip

The Yorkshire Dales Tour from York

Activity provider: Yorkshire Day Tours

From US$ 76.97 per person

Discover the best of the Yorkshire Dales on an 8-hour sightseeing tour from York. Drive to enchanting villages in the Dales, such as Masham, and Reeth. Pass historic castles, waterfalls, and more.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 8.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • See the best of the Yorkshire Dales in a day
  • Travel through the famous Dales, including Wensleydale and Swaledale
  • Stroll through cobbled Yorkshire villages
  • Enjoy some free time to wander the charming village of Reeth
  • Admire one of Britain’s best-preserved medieval castles at Castle Bolton
Full description

Escape the crowded streets of York for a full-day sightseeing tour of the Yorkshire Dales, and discover one of England’s most dramatic landscapes. Departing York in the morning, trave; to Yorkshire Dales national park, well known for its beautiful rolling hills and lazy rivers which flow down the dales (or valleys). The first stop will be in the market town of Masham in Lower Wensleydale. Famous for its family-run breweries, steam engines, and annual sheep fair, its thriving market (Wednesdays and Saturdays) is still going strong 762 years since its 1st charter.

Continue towards Middleham, nestled between 2 rivers. Travel through the gently sloping Dales towards Castle Bolton, where you will see some of the best scenery Yorkshire has to offer.

Admire one of Britain’s best-preserved medieval castles at Castle Bolton, built by Sir Richard Le Scrope to rival the most luxurious homes in the land. See the scars of its 600-year history, including its involvement in the Pilgrimage of Grace, Mary Queen of Scot’s imprisonment, and a Civil War siege. Afterward continue the journey through the stunning landscapes of Yorkshire traveling towards Aysgarth Falls on the River Ure. Here you will have the chance to view the famous waterfalls, which drop over three major falls in less than one mile. An amazingly scenic stop, the falls are a showcase of the beauty of nature. For lunch, head to the charming market town of Hawes. Nestled in Upper Wensleydale in North Yorkshire this beautiful place is surrounded on all sides by scenery the Yorkshire Dales is famous for.

Travel over the Buttertubs pass which connects Hawes and the hamlet of Thwaite with spectacular views over the surrounding valleys and fells. In recent days, the pass was featured as the second King of the Mountains climb of the 2014 Grand Depart of the Tour de France. Hawes is also home to the Wensleydale Creamery, famous for its array of cheeses which are much loved by fictional, animated characters, Wallace and Gromit. Hawes marketplace was first recorded in 1307 and still has a lively market every Tuesday.

Enjoy the delights of Wensleydale Creamery including the visitors center and cheese tasting room. Explore the creamery and have a taste of the real Dales in their sample room. There is plenty of time to shop for your favorite cheeses and marvel at the beautiful surroundings. Finally, follow the Dales scenic route back to the medieval city of York, driving through picturesque villages and classic Dales villages, with stops along the way so you can photograph the memorable landscapes.

Includes
  • Transportation by 16-seat minicoach
  • Driver/guide
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup & drop off
Not suitable for
  • Children under 5 years
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

This tour will start opposite Dean Court Hotel in Duncombe Place next to York Minster, Y01 7EF at 9:15 AM The pick up point is in the heart of city, aproximately 10 minutes walk from York Railway Station.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Rain gear

Not allowed

  • Pets (assistance dogs allowed)

Know before you go

  • Routes are subject to change without notice, and the vendor reserves the right to alter tours in the event of severe inclement weather, traffic congestion, or for operational reasons
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 199 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.8/5
  • Service
    4.7/5
  • Organization
    4.6/5

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Star rating:

Wonderful experience with our great guide. The only downside was that some roads were closed, others too icy to drive, but we got to our destinations in the end. I loved visiting the Creamery and Bolton Castle. I would suggest more stops on the road to take pictures of the Dales as the places we stopped didn't allow for good pictures of the Dales themselves.

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March 30, 2023

This tour was excellent. Trevor is a marvellous tour guide - pointing out all that the Dales has to offer. He is very knowledgeable and makes the tour interesting. You get to see the scenic dales and explore fab towns. I would highly recommend this tour!!

March 30, 2023

We enjoyed the trip. Guide did a lovely job making it fun, despite a very rainy day. It would have been helpful if the van/coach was equipped to recharge cell phones. Overall, a great experience, with interesting stops and historical commentary. Would travel again with this company.

March 30, 2023

Product ID: 51228