Cottages in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

• Cosy self-catering cottages: Expect rustic stone cottages with private gardens and wood-burning fireplaces, ideal for couples and families and welcoming in every season.
• Wonderful walking country: The park is home to the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Aysgarth Falls and countless valley trails, so you are never far from a memorable day out.
• Very pet-friendly: Hundreds of cottages welcome dogs, and many walks, waterfalls and gardens are happy to have four-legged visitors too.
• Foodie valleys: From Wensleydale cheese to celebrated country pubs, the Dales reward slow, hungry travellers who like to linger over lunch.
• Dark Sky Reserve: With protected night skies, clear evenings bring out the Milky Way — a quiet highlight best enjoyed from your cottage garden.

The Yorkshire Dales are best explored from a cosy self-catering cottage, with charming rustic stone exteriors, private gardens and warming fireplaces that suit couples on a romantic break and families in equal measure. If you fancy something a little different, there are also log cabins in the Dales, spacious holiday homes and welcoming bed and breakfasts dotted across the national park. Whichever cottage you choose, you can expect thoughtful touches that make settling in easy:

• Wood-burning fireplaces
• Enclosed private gardens
• Fast Wi-Fi throughout
• Hot tubs

With Wi-Fi, gardens and fireplaces among the most popular features, there is a cottage here to suit every kind of holiday.

What are the best areas to stay in the Yorkshire Dales National Park?

There is no single best base, but Wensleydale and Wharfedale are the most popular valleys for first-time visitors; you can also compare holiday lettings right across the Yorkshire Dales. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently praise the Yorkshire Dales for its peace, its scenery and the warm welcome of local hosts. Reviewers highlight cosy interiors, well-equipped kitchens and gardens that come into their own on long summer evenings. Many mention how easy it is to arrive by car, unpack and step straight onto a footpath. Pet owners in particular appreciate how many cottages roll out the welcome mat for four-legged companions, which makes the Dales a firm favourite for return visits at every time of year.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park spreads across the central Pennines in northern England, mostly within North Yorkshire and Cumbria, roughly between the market towns of Skipton, Kendal and Richmond.

🥗Where to eat in the Yorkshire Dales National Park?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, The Angel Inn at Hetton is among the best-rated restaurants in the Yorkshire Dales. Below is a table showing five highly-rated spots hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Emma and James recommend Cobblestones Café in Grassington: a cosy stop for homemade cakes and a proper pot of Yorkshire tea after a slow morning wandering the village's cobbled lanes.

1. Explore Ingleborough Cave
2. Conquer the Three Peaks
3. Cycle the Swale Trail
4. Cool off at Lake Semerwater
5. Spot red squirrels at Snaizeholme
6. Wander Aysgarth's waterfalls
7. Watch rope-making in Hawes

1. Explore Ingleborough Cave

   First opened to visitors in 1837, Ingleborough Cave near Clapham is one of the Dales' great underground adventures. Follow a guided path — hard hats provided — past floodlit stalactites and crystal-clear pools, with knowledgeable guides bringing the Victorian discovery story to life.

2. Conquer the Three Peaks

   The Yorkshire Three Peaks — Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside — are the region's most famous challenge. Thousands attempt the full circuit each year, but you needn't tackle all three: each summit rewards you with sweeping views over the dales and fells. Whether you manage one peak or the lot, it is a genuinely memorable day out in the heart of the national park.

3. Cycle the Swale Trail

   Cycling is one of the best ways to soak up the scenery. The family-friendly Swale Trail winds through beautiful Swaledale with cafés, pubs and rest stops along the way, and you may well share the route with horse riders. Confident riders can take on the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way, a demanding 210km loop that tests your legs on the climbs and rewards you with some of the finest views in northern England.

4. Cool off at Lake Semerwater

   Lake Semerwater, one of the Dales' few natural lakes, is the place to head on a warm day. Go for a swim in its clear water, try kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding, or simply spend a lazy afternoon fishing from the shore. The nearby reservoirs at Embsay and Grimwith offer more watersports, from sailing to windsurfing.

5. Spot red squirrels at Snaizeholme

   The Snaizeholme Red Squirrel Trail near Hawes is one of the best places in England to see native red squirrels in the wild. A quiet viewing area lets you watch them dart between the pines — bring a camera and a little patience, and please resist the urge to feed them.

6. Wander Aysgarth's waterfalls

   Aysgarth Falls is a triple flight of cascades tumbling over limestone steps, with easy, mostly pet-friendly paths linking the upper, middle and lower falls. Just up the road, the beautifully preserved Edwardian Rock Garden hides flowers, arches and little waterfalls — a romantic spot for couples. For something more otherworldly, seek out Janet's Foss near Malham, a fairy-tale waterfall and pool tucked into ancient woodland and steeped in local legend.

7. Watch rope-making in Hawes

   For a taste of Dales heritage, visit Hawes Ropemakers, where twine is still twisted into rope much as it has been for generations. Watch the craftspeople at work, learn how the yarns are spun together, and pick up an unusual souvenir — from skipping ropes to a new lead for the dog.