You are here:  Towns -> Towns in North Yorkshire -> Askrigg

Askrigg Tourist Information


Askrigg is a pretty village in Upper Wensleydale, part of the scenic Yorkshire Dales. It is five miles east of Hawes, the home of tasty Wensleydale cheese.

The name of Askrigg dates back to Viking times and there is evidence of old Norse farms in this area and possibly even earlier settlements.

During the 13th century and the 14th century the area was used by the Cistercian monks for grazing their sheep, but this ended with the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century.

By 1587 Askrigg had a charter for a market, which was held on Thursdays. During the Industrial Revolution Askrigg was at its zenith, producing textiles and knitting from its local mill.

The town also gained a reputation for fine clockmaking, thanks to a Quaker called John Ogden who set up a clock workshop in 1680. Various other clockmakers moved to the area and the village became the home of some of England's finest clockmakers including James Ogden, Mark Metcalfe and Christopher Caygill.

Visitors may recognise Askrigg as being the fictional Darrowby in the TV series All Creatures Great and Small. Cringley House was the vet's surgery and the King's Arms pub was used as the fictional Drover's Arms.


Present Day Askrigg

At the latest poll, Askrigg had just 411 residents, making it a small and friendly local community with a great deal of history.

Nappa Hall was the home of the Metcalfe family and is a fine example of a 15th century fortified manor house. It was built in 1459 by John Metcalfe and has two towers. The taller tower has slit windows and a spiral staircase topped by a crenellated parapet.

Like many villages in the Yorkshire Dales, Askrigg's main street is lined with stone cottages and tea shops around the cobbled market square. St Oswald's Church is in the square and was built in 1466 with a clock tower and six bells.

The square has an 1830 market cross, a stone pump and a huge metal ring set in the cobbles. This was where a bull would be tied and then baited with dogs.

In later times, if a local man turned over the ring it was a challenge for a fight. Anyone turning the ring back was the sign he would take the challenge and the two men would brawl in the square.

Askrigg has several historic pubs including the Crown Inn, dating back to the late 18th century.

The Kings Arms was built in 1767 as a coaching inn by John Pratt, a local jockey and racehorse breeder. He kept his hunting horses and hounds behind his house on the main street and would ride out through what is known as Robinson's Gateways and down the main street with his hounds baying behind.


Things to do in Askrigg

The proximity of the Yorkshire Dales National Park makes Askrigg an excellent base for walking, cycling, horse riding and scenic drives.

The village is the starting point for several circular walks around Mill Gill and the waterfalls at Whitfield Force.

The tiered falls at Aysgarth are just four miles away and the historic church there is also worth visiting. Semerwater is also nearby and is the largest natural lake in the county.

Further afield, the historic city of York offers museums, the Shambles and the magnificent York Minster.

 

Images of Askrigg
Church of Askrigg © Willemina Venema
Directions
Show map of Askrigg...


Attractions near Askrigg
Dales Countryside Museum and National Park Centre (4 Miles)*
This is an award-winning museum, managed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, housed in Hawes railway station in the north of the National Park.
Hazel Brow Farm (5 Miles)*
Hazel Brow Farm is a 200 acre traditional family run farm in the heart of Swaledale - famous for its beautiful Herriot scenery.
Bolton Castle (6 Miles)*
Bolton is one of the country's best preserved medieval castles, situated in the heart of Wensleydale with stunning views over the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
more attractions in Askrigg and things to do in Askrigg ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

What's near Askrigg

Attractions:
  Dales Countryside Museum and National Park Centre  4 Miles
  Hazel Brow Farm  5 Miles
  Bolton Castle  6 Miles
more attractions in Askrigg...
 
Towns:
  Bainbridge  1 Mile
  Wensleydale  3 Miles
  Marsett  3 Miles
more towns near Askrigg...
 
Estate Agents:
  Norman F Brown  10 Miles
  Norman F Brown  15 Miles
  Neil Wright Associates  17 Miles
Hotels:
  The Countryman's Inn  15 Miles
  The Kings Head Hotel  15 Miles
  Beck Hall  16 Miles
more hotels in Askrigg area...
 
Bed and Breakfast:
  The Old Hall Bed & Breakfast  1 Mile
  Holmedale Bed and Breakfast  1 Mile
  Heather Cottage  3 Miles
more bed and breakfasts near Askrigg...
 
Self Catering:
  Cowlingholme Cottage  1 Mile
  School House  1 Mile
  The Shippon  1 Mile
more self catering near Askrigg...
 
Campsites:
  Langcliffe Park  16 Miles
  Heron's Pond Caravan Park  18 Miles
  Riverside Caravan Site  26 Miles
TIC: Aysgarth Falls Tourist Information Centre     Tel: 01969 662910  4 Miles



Sponsored Links


Towns near Askrigg
Bainbridge Tourist Information (1 Mile)*
Wensleydale Tourist Information (3 Miles)*
Marsett Tourist Information (3 Miles)*
more towns near Askrigg...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Hotels near Askrigg
The Kings Head Hotel (15 Miles)*
Overlooking Richmond's cobbled market square, and the Norman castle, this charming Georgian hotel full of character and warmth is only 4 miles (6.4 km) from the A1.
Beck Hall (16 Miles)*
Boasting a charming stream-side setting, rustic log-fires and home-cooked food, this elegant 18th century building is an ideal retreat for both business and leisure travellers.
The Morritt Hotel (17 Miles)*
Located in the picturesque hamlet of Greta Bridge, this traditional and peaceful 4-star AA hotel is in a beautiful location close to the Tees Valley and Yorkshire Dales.
more Askrigg hotels (and nearby)...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Self Catering near Askrigg
Grange House (6 Miles)*
Grange House comfortably sleeps 7, and with 3 bath/ shower rooms, offers space comfort and every convenience. A delightful rural property amidst stunning scenery in a secluded dale, only 4.5 miles from the beautiful village of West Burton.
Georges Cottage (7 Miles)*
Georges Cottage is a four star rated, country cottage in the village of West Witton, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The cottage retains the original beamed ceilings and stripped wood floors.
Your property could be here
Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
more self catering near Askrigg ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Popular Pages

     National Trust | Estate Agents     

 Copyright © 1999-2012 Excelsior Information Systems Limited. All rights reserved.
Press Room  Terms of Use  Privacy  Link to Us  Index  Site Map