Brits looking for inspiration for their next UK holidays in 2024 may want to bookmark a breathtaking underrated town hidden in the heart of the countryside
If you’re after a staycation with some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside, great walks, cosy pubs and picturesque streets which aren’t rammed with tourists, then you may want to consider a trip to Hawes in the Yorkshire Daloes.
The beautiful market town has been named one of Britain’s most beautiful destinations for spring thanks to its ‘magical’ surroundings – but it’s so tiny that it’s often overlooked by tourists.
Research from Holidaycottages ranked some of the UK’s most gorgeous spots on factors such as their suitability for springtime walks, great coastal views, local pubs and opportunities to explore some of the UK’s best forests, with Hawes making it into the top five. Plus with cottages from £67 a night there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a budget-friendly break.
Just a stone’s throw from sprawling lush green forests, ethereal waterfalls and with the epic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales on its doorstep, it’s no wonder that Hawes impressed.
The travel pros explained: “Venture deep into the Yorkshire Dales and you’ll find Hawes – a little market town so pretty, it’s been hailed as ‘magical’. Here, crags, caves and valleys meet waterfalls and woodlands, lakes and reservoirs that beg to be explored by foot.”
“A great place to start is to head up the cobbled Pennine Way dotted with honey-toned terraced houses, crossing the bridge over Gayle Beck, where water tumbles over limestone slabs below the riverside cottages. For more aquatic adventures, pay a visit to Hardraw Force, the highest single-drop waterfall in England.”
Hardraw Force tends to be the most popular spot for hikers – but you will need to pay a fee if you want to visit. One holidaymaker on Tripadvisor explained: “What a lovely peaceful place to visit. We duly paid our £4 (each) and received a leaflet telling us of a lower level and higher level walk. We did the lower level to the waterfall which had plenty of water coming over. Then we climbed up quite a few steep steps to the higher level, through the trees to where the views of the hills opened up. Took about an hour to complete both.
“We then had lunch at their quirky cafe, the mushroom and tomato soups served with roll and butter were delicious. There was a selection of cakes which looked rather yummy. A lovely half day out. Worth the visit.”
It’s not the only waterfall in the area that’s worth having on your radar; Cotter Force and Aysgill Force are also breathtaking with plenty of trails leading to these fairytale-worthy spots.
There’s also plenty to explore in Hawes itself. The picturesque town is home to plenty of country pubs, tea rooms and even a museum of two (for those days when the British weather simply won’t play along).
Meanwhile, cheese fans won’t want to miss out on the Wensleydale Creamery where you can learn all about the iconic cheese and of course, complete the tour with a sampling session in the tasting room.
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