All the best Yorkshire Dales villages to visit this summer

The Yorkshire Dales is one of the most beautiful places in the country

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Sebastian McCormick

04:00, 02 Aug 2026

[The Coast to Coast walking route has become a National Trail]

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The Coast to Coast walking route has become a National Trail(Image: DEFRA)

Every year when summer rolls round again, thousands of people head up to the Yorkshire Dales to explore one of the country's most stunning landscapes.

For many, the beautiful villages which dot the Dales landscape is a big draw. Some are right next to popular spots like Malham Cove or Aysgarth Falls, while others are along popular walking routes.

Sometimes people just want to experience the villages themselves, and many have been used as backdrops for filming due to their beauty.

Here are some of the best Yorkshire Dales villages you can visit this summer.

Grassington

[Grassington]

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Grassington(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

A popular market town, Grassington is filled with independent pubs, cafs and shops. It's a great hub for exploring the Yorkshire Dales, particularly Wharfedale.

You can walk along the River Wharfe, explore Linton Falls, and visit some of the nearby villages.

Malham

[Malham Old village store and packhorse bridge panoramic in the yorkshire dales.]

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Malham Old village store and packhorse bridge panoramic(Image: frazaz via Getty Images)

Famous for its nearby wonders, such as Malham Cove, Janet's Foss, and Gordale Scar, Malham is a popular place to visit. It's a beautiful spot, and particularly great if you want to walk and see some of the nearby countryside.

Hawes

[Hawes has plenty of pubs and cafes, and a great variety of shops in the village ]

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Hawes has plenty of pubs and cafes, and a great variety of shops in the village (Image: Megan Banner)

Another popular market town, Hawes is famous for its role in the dairy industry. It is home to the famous Wensleydale Creamery, the source of the cheese by the same name, but there's plenty more to do in this village.

Keld

[The Coast to Coast walking route has become a National Trail]

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The Coast to Coast walking route(Image: DEFRA)

One of the most isolated villages in the Dales, the village of Keld is popular with walkers. It sits on both the Pennine Way and the Coast to Coast walk, making it perfect as a stopping point.

Appletreewick

[Appletreewick, Yorkshire Dales]

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Appletreewick, Yorkshire Dales(Image: Getty)

A small village, Appletreewick can be found close to Grassington and the popular Bolton Abbey. An old village, it is home to a few small pubs and is a great spot for campers and walkers alike.

Reeth

[Landscape of village with Yorkshire Dales, sunshine and blue sky background in Reeth, Richmond, North Yorkshire, England- December 30, 2019]

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Landscape of village with Yorkshire Dales, sunshine and blue sky background in Reeth, Richmond

Found in the North of the Yorkshire Dales, Reeth is a stunning spot with great views of the countyside. It has a number of cafs and pubs to enjoy too.

Kettlewell

[A Minion themed scarecrow on display during the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival in North Yorkshire]

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A Minion themed scarecrow on display during the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival in North Yorkshire(Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Another spot popular with walkers, Kettlewell is also home to the famous Scarecrow Festival. The village was once a transport hub, and so has a number of hotels and inns.

Dent

[Dent Main Street]

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Dent Main Street(Image: philandju (cc-by-sa/2.0))

Dent's most famous feature is its old cobbled main street, and the town itself is lined with cafs and pubs. Dent may technically be in Cumbria, but it's still part of the Yorkshire Dales.

Arncliffe

[Arncliffe and River Skirfare, Littondale, The Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe]

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Arncliffe and River Skirfare, Littondale, The Yorkshire Dales

Another beautiful village, Arncliffe is famous as the original setting of Emmerdale. It's also a beautiful small village, with great spots for walking nearby.

Aysgarth

[The clear water at Aysgarth Lower Falls]

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The clear water at Aysgarth Lower Falls

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Aysgarth's nearby waterfalls are more famous than the village itself, but both are worth a visit. The village has a visitor's centre, and there are cafs, pubs, and more nearby.

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