Yorkshire

My first trip to the Dales I stayed 6 nights split between Grassington and Helmsley. It’s a beautiful area with charming towns and great hiking. I would have been happy with another week or two.

My second trip was four nights in Bakewell at the beginning of a trip to Orkney and Shetland followed by four nights in Richmond (Yorkshire, not London) at the end of Orkney/Shetland.

I would shoot for a week or more, four nights at minimum. I can’t imagine staying too long.

We just returned from a three week visit to England which included 8 nights in Yorkshire. We stayed 3 nights in Grassington, 3 in Whitby and 2 in York. From Grassington we explored beautiful Wharfdale, Castle Bolton, Hawes and the creamery on one day, Skipton Castle and Malham on another. The drive from the Malham National Park Visitor Centre via Arncilffe back to Grassington was stunning!

From Grassington we headed to Whitby, stopping at Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley and Hutton le Hole. Lunch at the Vinehouse Cafe in Helmsley was fantastic! From Hutton le Hole we took the route through the moors via Egton Bridge, another stunning drive! We opted for three nights in Whitby because one day was dedicated to the NYMR, which I highly recommend! We drove the short distance from Whitby to the Grosmont Station (engine sheds) and spent the day on the steam trains- wow, so much fun! From Whitby, we drove to York for our last 2 nights. We got an early start, so had two full days in the city.

Overall, I was delighted with the way the Yorkshire portion of our trip unfolded. I wasn't ready to leave Grassington, and could easily have spent another several days there exploring other dales, but ultimately we decided we just need to come back, or move to the Dales! :)

*Edit: We stayed in Airbnbs, all excellent. If you want specifics, feel free to PM me.

thank you very much for your regards

We recently stayed in one of the cottages at Ashfield House in Grassington. It's right in the middle of town and has a lovely little garden for relaxing. We made our own breakfast as the cottage was well-equipped, but we could have added breakfast or stayed in the main building (with breakfast).

I was in Yorkshire earlier this year for a week, but stayed in Helmsley on the North Yorkshire Moor.

However, I would recommend staying in Grassington or Skipton if you want to stay in the Dales. And really the more time you give yourself, the better. Definitely at least 4 nights but 5-7 would be even better. :-)

In late September, I spent 3 nights in Gisburn, 3 in Harrogate, 1 in Whitby, and 2 in Grassington, and there were still hikes and places to visit that I didn’t get to. There were days with lots of clouds, rain, and mist that limited hiking the peaks/high ground for scenic views, so I did in-door activities on those days.
The B&B’s were excellent, with outstanding hosts; the Whitby hotel was older, but good.
Foxhill Fold

Howgill Lane, Gisburn, BB7 4JL, United Kingdom +44 (0) 1200 415930
[email protected]
Harrowgate AirBnb (small attic room, up steep steps)
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6324371?source_impression_id=p3_1729518661_P3ubJwaiM1VuNpqU
Royal Hotel Whitby

West Cliff, Whitby, YO21 3HA, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Phone +44 01947 602234
Website https://www.royalwhitby.co.uk

Craiglands B&B Grassington (10 minute walk to town center)
01756752093 [email protected]
1 Brooklyn, Threshfield, Yorkshire, BD23 5ER, United Kingdom
+44 01756752093 Or +44 07737108834
www.craiglandsbnb.co.uk

All the best,

Raymond

thanks so much for those suggestions!

Just wanted to add on to my earlier comment…

Bakewell is in the Peak District, another beautiful area of England. It is not in the Dales.

I also stayed in Whitby and just loved it. There are just so many wonderful towns to stay in the area. Don’t agonize too much. They are all good.