Wensleydale Tour to Hawes

26 miles from Masham

Masham is sited in Lower Wensleydale while Hawes, the highest market town in England, sits at the head of Wensleydale. It is a 45 minute drive from Masham and home to the Dales Countryside Museum and many charming shops and cafes. It is also the home of Wensleydale Creamery and is synonymous with Wensleydale cheese making. The Creamery is a popular destination for visitors, where you can learn about the art of cheese-making and watch the cheese being made. There’s lots for children too, including Wallace & Gromit!

There is also much more to explore in Wensleydale, dominated by Penhill above. So why not visit other places and make a day of it? There are many stops to choose from. Middleham with its castle and racehorses; Leyburn, home to renowned Tennants Auctioneers and Garden Rooms; Aysgarth Falls iconic film location for Robin Hood; beautiful Semer Water, the second largest natural lake in North Yorkshire; plus lesser-known waterfalls at West Burton or Askrigg, the town which also featured as a location in All Creatures Great and Small.

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Cathedral City of Ripon

9 miles from Masham

The city of Ripon with its wonderful Cathedral, Market Place, museums, canals, cafes and restaurants, is only 20 minutes away.  It is a lovely place to visit & combine with the Unesco ruins of Fountains Abbey and majestic deer roaming the parklands of Studley Royal .

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Explore Nidderdale & Pateley Bridge

13 miles from Masham

Pateley Bridge is at the heart of Nidderdale protected National Landscape. Nidderdale is our nieghbouring dale with distinctive panoramic views, wonderful walks it is a haven for nature lovers.  Attractions like Stump Cross Caverns and How Stean Gorge literally are a stone’s throw away.  Pateley Bridge High Street itself is lined with historic buildings and independent shops.

A circular trip via Patelely Bridge, exploring Nidderdale – Lofthouse, Middlesmoor and Scar House Reservoir is a stunning trip.  Drive home from Lofthouse to Masham up Trapping Hill, which was among the most challenging climbs of the Tour de France, then across the beautiful rolling moors home.

James Herriot’s Thirsk & Sutton Bank

14 miles from Masham

Another classic North Yorkshire Market Town with a cobbled market square. Thirsk is in is a great position between the Dales and the Moors National Parks, so can be a handy stop off as part of a longer-range day out from Masham.

For TV fans, Thirsk is also the home of  ‘The World of James Herriot Museum‘. For culture buffs, the Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden is a must.

From Thirsk, why not head up Sutton Bank on to the tops of the North Yorkshire Moors and visit the National Park Visitor Centre there – the views are stunning. Or head to bustling Helmsley and pick your own flowers on the outskirts…

 

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Elegant Spa Town of Harrogate

22 miles from Masham

A little further south and you reach Harrogate, Yorkshire’s original spa town – a perfect day trip. There are many mineral springs around the town which drew many wealthy visitors seeking health cures in the 1800s, from drinking the sulphurous waters.

The architecture is grand, and the wide-open parks and spaces dotted around town, include the 200 acre Stray, help to give Harrogate its unique, green and spacious feel.

Today it’s a buzzing town full of shops, galleries and eateries including the famous Betty’s Cafe.  Incorporate a visit to the RHS Gardens at Harlow Carr too.

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Historic Town of Knaresborough

22 miles from Masham

Right next door to Harrogate is the medieval market town of Knaresborough. Perched on the cliffs above the river Nidd, you can explore its warren of medieval streets and stone steps, its castle, museum and rowing boats on the river.

Take a walk along the river to find ‘Old Mother Shipton’s Cave‘ where this renowned Prophetess and Soothsayer from the late 1400’s was born and lived out most of her lonely life.  Folklore tells that Mother Shipton predicted the fates of several rulers, the invention of iron ships, the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.  She also foretold the death of Cardinal Wolsey in 1530 – the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell’s rise to power and the restoration of the monarchy.    Clearly this is all hearsay now – but you can visit the site and make your own mind up about her.

The view of Knaresborough’s imposing railway viaduct across the Nidd Gorge is one of North Yorkshire’s most iconic views.

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Historic Town of Barnard Castle

30 miles from Masham

In around 45 minutes, you can be in Barnard Castle in County Durham. It’s a typically charming market town on the north bank of the River Tees complete with a medieval castle ruin. The big surprise is the Bowes Museum….

The stunning building which resembles a grand chateaux, comes as quite a surprise. It stands proudly in a stunning landscape and houses internationally significant collections of fine and decorative art and hosts important contemporary exhibitions and its prized 18th-century Silver Swan automaton exhibit still attracts the crowds!

Day Trips Further Afield

If you fancy more of a jaunt, from Masham you can reach York below, Leeds, Ilkley, Helmsley, Middlesborough, Pickering, Skipton and Durham for a relatively easy day-trip.

Whatever type of destination you fancy – you won’t run out of great expeditions when you stay in Masham.  The nearest access to the coast is Redcar or Saltburn (pictured) and a day trip to see the Lake District National Park is not out of the question!