Hawes Tourist Information

Hawes at the head of Wensleydale is England's highest market town at 850 feet above sea level. First recorded in 1307 as Le Thouse today Hawes is a maze of narrow streets with places to eat and drink, hotels and guest houses and some interesting shops. Tuesday is Market Day and the town is always busy and bustling.

The award winning Dales Countryside Museum and National Park Centre is located in the former railway station. Here, in addition to traditional Tourist Information functions, you can also find out about the history and formation of the Dales, along with the wildlife conservation work of the national park authority. There are children's activities and a varied programme of exhibitions and events.

A visit to the Wensleydale Creamery is a must. Here you will see the famous Wensleydale cheese being made by hand in the traditional way from milk produced on farms in the dale. The visitor centre houses a small museum, shop and viewing gallery where you can watch production taking place.

There is a ropemakers in the town where you can see how church bell ropes, halters, skipping ropes and washing lines are made. The factory uses traditional methods to produce a wide variety of rope products.

The Pennine Way passes through the town and there are countless other footpaths to enjoy in the area. There is a playground for the children near to the Pottery and a local farmer gives demonstrations with his sheep dogs from April to October. Brass band competitions - first held in the grounds of the Scaur in the c19th - still take place today.

Hardraw Force is nearby. This is believed to be the highest single drop waterfall in England. Admission is through the Green Dragon Inn. The artist JMW Turner painted the falls during his grand tour of the area

Description by Maureen Prince