Yorkshire Dales Holiday

Carlton, Leyburn DL8 4BD · from Howden, Goole

Fri 21 Aug (check-in 4pm) → Fri 28 Aug (check-out 10am)

Every place below has a Map button (opens directions) and a Website button. Where it says Book ahead, tap the orange button to book online before the day.

The Allow ~ chip is a rough guide to how long to spend at each place, to help you plan the day.

Drive and visit times are approximate, by car from the cottage in Carlton. Please check opening times and prices on each website before setting off.

Close by — under 15 minutes

The Forbidden Corner

≈ 8 min driveAllow ~2 hrsBook ahead

Labyrinth of tunnels, follies and chambers in a walled garden at Tupgill Park, Coverham.

Timed entry — tickets must be booked online. Uneven ground and some steps.

Book / Info Map

Middleham Castle

≈ 10 min driveAllow ~1½ hrs

Ruined 12th-century keep, Richard III's childhood home. English Heritage.

Website Map

Brymor Ice Cream

≈ 14 min driveAllow ~30–45 min

Farm ice cream parlour at High Jervaulx, near Jervaulx Abbey.

Website Map

Constable Burton Hall Gardens

≈ 12 min driveAllow ~1–1½ hrs

Terraced gardens around a Georgian hall, with streams and a garden trail. Mostly level walking.

Seasonal opening — check dates.

Website Map

Jervaulx Abbey

≈ 15 min driveAllow ~1 hr

Cistercian abbey ruins in private parkland. Honesty-box entry.

Website Map

Wensleydale — about 20 to 30 minutes

Aysgarth Falls

≈ 20 min driveAllow ~1–2 hrs

Three flights of waterfalls on the River Ure. National Park visitor centre and café; short path to the Upper Falls.

Website Map

Bolton Castle

≈ 25 min driveAllow ~2 hrs

Intact 14th-century castle that held Mary Queen of Scots. Falconry, maze and gardens.

Website Map

Wensleydale Creamery, Hawes

≈ 30 min driveAllow ~1–1½ hrs

Wensleydale cheese maker. Viewing gallery, tastings, shop and café. Indoor.

Website Map

Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes

≈ 30 min driveAllow ~1 hr

Local history museum in a former railway station. Indoor; next to Hawes town.

Website Map

Richmond & around — about 30 minutes

Richmond Castle

≈ 30 min driveAllow ~1½ hrs

Norman castle above the River Swale with a 100ft keep. English Heritage.

Website Map

Richmondshire Museum

≈ 30 min driveAllow ~1 hr

Town history museum; includes an All Creatures Great and Small vet's set. Indoor.

Website Map

Easby Abbey

≈ 32 min driveAllow ~45 min

Riverside abbey ruins near Richmond, reachable on foot or by car. Free entry. English Heritage.

Website Map

Culloden Tower

≈ 30 min driveAllow ~15 min

18th-century Gothic folly above Richmond.

Holiday let — view from outside only, no public interior visits.

Website Map

Masham, Nidderdale & further — 30 to 60 minutes

Druid's Temple, Ilton

≈ 30 min driveAllow ~30–45 min

1820s folly resembling Stonehenge, in forestry near Masham. Free; short woodland walk from the car park.

Info Map

Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park

≈ 35 min driveAllow ~2–3 hrs

45 acres of gardens, lakes and 80+ outdoor sculptures near Grewelthorpe. Wide paths.

Seasonal opening — check before travelling.

Website Map

Stump Cross Caverns

≈ 55 min driveAllow ~1–1½ hrs

Show cave near Pateley Bridge; floodlit formations and an Ice Age exhibit. Indoor/underground; steps.

Website Map

How Stean Gorge, Lofthouse

≈ 50 min driveAllow ~half a dayBook ahead

Gorge with a Via Ferrata high-wire course (age 7+, minimum height 1.4m), plus gorge walking and caving. Sessions 9:30am and 2pm. Those not climbing can walk the gorge and use the café.

Book / Info Map

Go Ape, Dalby Forest

≈ 1 hr 20 min driveAllow ~half a dayBook ahead

Treetop high-ropes course near Pickering. Treetop Challenge age 10+; Treetop Adventure ages 4–10.

Book / Info Map

Six full days out (22–27 Aug), plus arrival evening and departure morning. Places are grouped so each day stays in one area. Nothing is fixed — swap anything you like.

The times in green are a suggested pace that builds in the drive, a relaxed look round and a lunch stop. Shift the whole day earlier or later to suit — just keep any booked slots (Forbidden Corner, How Stean, Go Ape) fixed to their real times.

Please book these in advance: The Forbidden Corner, How Stean Gorge, and Go Ape. Check seasonal opening for the gardens.

Day 1 — Arrive

Fri 21 Aug · check-in 4pm
4:00 pmCheck in & unpack settle in, put the shopping away
5:00 pmShort stroll around Carlton stretch the legs after the drive
7:00 pmEvening meal a Middleham or Leyburn pub, about 10 min away
Do a shop on the way in — Leyburn has supermarkets — so essentials are sorted for arrival.

Day 2 — Close by

Sat 22 Aug
10:00 amThe Forbidden Corner ≈ 8 min · booked timed slot · allow ~2 hrs
Open map
12:30 pmLunch — Middleham pubs and cafés in the market square
2:00 pmMiddleham Castle ≈ 10 min · allow ~1½ hrs
Open map
3:45 pmIce cream — Brymor ≈ 14 min · on the way back
Open map

Day 3 — Upper Wensleydale & Hawes

Sun 23 Aug
9:45 amAysgarth Falls ≈ 20 min · visitor centre & Upper Falls path
Open map
11:15 amBolton Castle ≈ 15 min from Aysgarth · lunch in the castle tearoom
Open map
2:00 pmHawes: Creamery & Countryside Museum ≈ 25 min on to Hawes
Open map
A full day — drop Hawes if anyone is tired; the Creamery also works as a wet-afternoon option later in the week.

Day 4 — Nidderdale

Mon 24 Aug
8:30 amLeave the cottage ≈ 50 min · aim to arrive 20 min before the session
9:30 amHow Stean Gorge booked morning session
Open map
Not climbing? walk the gorge bridges and tunnels, or relax in the café
12:30 pmLunch — How Stean café before moving on
2:00 pmStump Cross Caverns ≈ 25 min from How Stean · indoor; has steps
Open map

Day 5 — Richmond

Tue 25 Aug
10:00 amRichmond Castle ≈ 30 min · allow ~1½ hrs
Open map
11:45 amRichmondshire Museum in town · indoor
Open map
1:00 pmLunch — Richmond market place cafés and pubs in town
2:30 pmEasby Abbey free · walk or short drive from town
Open map
4:00 pmCulloden Tower on the way · view from outside
Open map

Day 6 — Masham, follies & gardens

Wed 26 Aug
10:00 amJervaulx Abbey ≈ 15 min · honesty-box entry
Open map
11:15 amDruid's Temple, Ilton ≈ 20 min · free; short woodland walk
Open map
12:30 pmLunch — Masham market-square pubs and cafés, ~10 min
2:00 pmHimalayan Garden & Sculpture Park ≈ 20 min · wide paths
Open map
Prefer to stay closer and flatter? Swap the Himalayan Garden for Constable Burton Hall Gardens (≈ 12 min from the cottage).

Day 7 — Big day out or a rest

Thu 27 Aug
Option AGo Ape, Dalby Forest leave ~8:45 am for a booked ~10:30 slot · ≈ 1 hr 20 each way · a full day out
Open map
Option BEasy local day a slow start; Leyburn shops and Constable Burton Gardens, or a repeat favourite
With the drive home the next morning, Option B keeps the last day relaxed. If you want Go Ape, it also fits on Day 4 or 5.

Day 8 — Home

Fri 28 Aug · check-out 10am
9:00 amTidy & load the car strip beds if asked, bins out
10:00 amCheck out roughly 1½–2 hours back to Howden

Pubs and places to eat near the cottage. Tap a phone number to call, or use the buttons to open the website or map.

Travel times are estimates from the cottage in Carlton. It's worth phoning ahead to book a table, especially at weekends.

The Foresters Arms

5 min walk
Phone 01969 640272
Website Map

The Saddle Room Restaurant

≈ 8 min drive
Phone 01969 640596
Website Map

The White Goose Pizza Co

≈ 8 min drive

Pizza only.

Phone 01969 313112
Menu Map

The Fox & Hounds Inn

≈ 10 min drive
Phone 01969 623650
Website Map

Three Horse Shoes

≈ 10 min drive
Phone 01969 622327
Website Map

Sandpiper Inn

≈ 15 min drive
Phone 01969 622206
Website Map

The Bolton Arms

≈ 15 min drive
Phone 01969 629767
Map

Old Horn Community Pub

≈ 15 min drive
Phone 07751 061687
Website Map