Holiday rentals and lettings in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

• Choice of holiday lets: From cosy stone cottages for two to spacious homes for groups, you'll find varied self-catering accommodation across the valleys, much of it pet-friendly and close to open countryside.
• Best areas to stay: Bases such as Hawes, Grassington, Malham and Sedbergh each suit a different kind of break, whether you're after cheese, waterfalls or quiet, scenic walks.
• Top-rated by guests: Visitors praise warm welcomes, cosy interiors and that restful feeling of waking up to the fells.
• Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn brings the finest walking weather and long days, whilst autumn offers golden colours and fewer crowds.
• Things to do: Walk to tumbling waterfalls, explore Ingleborough Cave, ride a heritage steam railway and tackle a stretch of the famous Pennine Way.

Traditional stone-built cottages in the Yorkshire Dales suit couples and families craving a cosy retreat, larger holiday homes work well for groups gathering under one roof, and welcoming B&Bs are ideal for short stays. Most sit close to magnificent open countryside. Whichever you choose, expect homely touches and practical extras that make your stay comfortable:

• Cosy living rooms with a wood-burning fireplace
• Well-equipped kitchens
• Free parking on site
• Pet-friendly options, so the dog can come along too

For something a little special, treat yourselves to one of the cottages with a hot tub dotted across the valleys.

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

There's no single best base — it depends on your plans, with lively market towns, riverside villages and remote hamlets all within easy reach. Some areas to consider include:

What do our guests say?

Our guests consistently praise Yorkshire Dales accommodation for their warm welcomes, cosy interiors and easy access to the fells. Many highlight how restful it feels to wake up to open countryside, and appreciate the hosts' local tips and thoughtful extras.

Here are our top-rated holiday lets from the past year:

1. River View Cottage - 10.0: A cosy retreat for two in Gargrave, North Yorkshire, with lovely river views and an easy stroll to village pubs and the canal towpath.
2. Gateside Farmhouse Sedbergh - 10.0: A spacious farmhouse sleeping up to ten near Sedbergh, with a private yard — ideal for larger families gathering on the edge of the Dales.
3. Treadle Cottage - 10.0: A welcoming pet-friendly cottage for four in Cumbria, with its own yard and quick access to walks across the western Dales.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park lies in northern England, straddling North Yorkshire and parts of Cumbria. It's a landscape of green valleys, dry-stone walls, tumbling waterfalls and high, open moorland.

✈️What is the best way to get to the Yorkshire Dales?

Getting to the Dales is straightforward, with good options by train, coach and car. Here are the most common ways to get to the national park:

• Train: Regular services run to Leeds, Skipton and Settle, where the scenic Settle–Carlisle line carries on into the heart of the park past Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Ribblehead. From Leeds you can reach the southern Dales in well under an hour.
• Car: Driving gives you the most freedom to reach the quieter dales and villages. The A65 and A684 thread through the park, with the M6 to the west and the A1(M) to the east bringing you within easy reach. Bear in mind that roads can be narrow, so allow extra time and watch for sheep.
• Coach: Long-distance coaches serve Lancaster, York, Skipton and Darlington, with local connections onward into the Dales. Services can be limited at the weekend, so check timetables before you travel.

🥗Where to eat in the Yorkshire Dales?

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 the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Rachel and Mark recommend Elaine's Tea Rooms in Feizor: a friendly walkers' favourite just outside the park, perfect for a generous slice of cake and a pot of tea after a morning on the trails.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The Dales are a year-round destination, but late spring to early autumn (May to September) offers the best weather for walking and exploring, with long daylight hours and the valleys at their greenest. For a quieter, more atmospheric trip, the autumn shoulder season brings golden colours and noticeably fewer crowds.

Spring

• Best for: Walkers and wildlife lovers keen to see the dales come back to life.
• Weather: Mild but changeable, with fresh mornings and the odd shower.
• Atmosphere: Quiet and green, with lambs in the fields and blossom in the villages.

Summer

• Best for: Families and first-time visitors making the most of the long days.
• Weather: Warmest time of year, though rain is always possible, so pack layers.
• Atmosphere: The liveliest season, with busy market towns and popular trails.

Autumn

• Best for: Photographers and couples after a peaceful escape.
• Weather: Cooler and crisper, with misty mornings and golden afternoons.
• Atmosphere: Calm and scenic, as the crowds thin and the colours turn.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Yorkshire Dales local expert, Sarah of Poppy Cottage in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, recommends tackling a stretch of the Three Peaks before refuelling at the village café. You can read more about local tips on Sarah's page.

1. Walk the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
2. Explore Ingleborough Cave
3. Ride the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
4. Hike a stretch of the Pennine Way
5. Discover Aysgill Force and Aysgarth

1. Walk the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

   One of the park's best-loved walks, the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a 4.5-mile circular route that links a series of tumbling falls through ancient woodland. The path is well marked but includes plenty of steps and some slippery rocks, so sturdy footwear is a must. Allow a few hours to take it all in, pausing at the riverside viewpoints where the water rushes over moss-covered ledges.

2. Explore Ingleborough Cave

   Hidden in the heart of the park, Ingleborough Cave was first opened up to visitors by Victorian explorers and now welcomes guests on guided tours. Follow the lit underground passages past dramatic stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years. It's a fascinating change of pace from the fells above, and a great rainy-day option.

3. Ride the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

   For a relaxed way to soak up the scenery, hop aboard the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. The four-mile heritage line runs between Bolton Abbey and Embsay aboard lovingly restored steam locomotives, with tearooms and picnic spots at either end. For more outdoors time, the western fells, where camping in the Lake District makes a natural next stop, are within easy reach.

4. Hike a stretch of the Pennine Way

   England's first National Trail, the Pennine Way opened in 1965 and runs some 268 miles from the Peak District to the Scottish Borders. You don't need to tackle the whole thing — the sections through the Dales, taking in Pen-y-ghent and Malham, are among the finest day walks in the country. If you're hiking the southern Pennine Way, you might pair a trip with log cabins in the Peak District.

5. Discover Aysgill Force and Aysgarth

   The Dales are famous for their waterfalls, and Aysgill Force in the Gayle Beck valley is one of the prettiest. A gentle walk of around four miles through wooded countryside brings you to the 40-foot cascade, perfect for photographs and a quiet picnic. Nearby, the Aysgarth Edwardian Rock Garden, laid out in 1914, offers stone walkways, streams and colourful planting.