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Things to do in Hawes, North Yorkshire

Hawes at the head of Wensleydale is England's highest market town at 850 feet above sea level.

Hawes
Hawes © Neil Turner via Flickr

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.

Hawes Barns
Hawes Barns © rickbowden - stock.adobe.com

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.

Hawes Railway Station
Hawes Railway Station © Neil Turner via Flickr

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.

Yorkshire Dales National Park near Hawes
Yorkshire Dales National Park near Hawes © philipbird123 - stock.adobe.com

There are children's activities and a varied programme of exhibitions and events.

Wensleydale Creamery
Wensleydale Creamery © Emma via Flickr

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.

Hawes
Hawes © Alden Chadwick via Flickr

The visitor centre houses a small museum, shop and viewing gallery where you can watch production taking place.

Hawes, Yorkshire Dales
Hawes, Yorkshire Dales © beataaldridge - stock.adobe.com

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.

The River Ure near Hawes
The River Ure near Hawes © Steve Silver Smith - stock.adobe.com

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.

Hawes
Hawes © Draco2008 via Flickr

Brass band competitions - first held in the grounds of the Scaur in the 19th Century - still take place today.

Hardraw Force Waterfall is nearby. This is believed to be the highest single drop waterfall in England.

Hardraw Force
Hardraw Force © Nick - stock.adobe.com

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

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