Yorkshire Moors & Dales

Visit Yorkshire with its ancient towns and cities, moorland and dales. This tour takes in the best of this stunning region of England. Enjoy stunning routes across the Yorkshire Dales with its outstanding scenery, great castles, abbeys and a breathtakingly peaceful atmosphere. Each of the Yorkshire Dales has a different character. The Southern Dales are less remote, yet still wildly beautiful. The Northern Dales provide wild heather moorland and valleys full of hay meadows, dry stone walls and barns. And in the West, the pretty villages and small towns each have their own charm.

Picturesque, tranquil, wonderful, the North York Moors are a breath of fresh air. This enchanting region, brimming with natural beauty, is home to heather moorland, pine forests, rolling hills and shimmering coastline, not to mention badgers, roe deer and hawks. Also discover historic abbeys, castles and priories, traditional pubs and ‘hidden’ villages and hamlets.

Based at two gorgeous hotels for a total of four nights, the tour will take you to the best parts of both the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors with three day-tours.

Tour Highlights

Visit the beautiful Yorkshire Dales
See how Wensleydale cheese is made
Stay in two beautiful country inns, each with fabulous restaurants
See Hardraw Force
Drive over Buttertubs Pass
Discover the fabulous ruins of Rievaulx Abbey
Explore the lovely market towns of Helmsley, Whitby, Thirsk, Pickering and Bedale
Visit Castle Howard and other stately homes
See the iconic Ribbleshead Viaduct
Sample the products at the Black Sheep & Theakston Breweries in Masham

Tour Map

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire

Make your way to Hawes in Wensleydale in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and check-in to the wonderful country house hotel nearby. The route to Hawes from any direction is beautiful.

Day 2: Explore the Yorkshire Dales

89 Miles

Enjoy a wonderful circular tour encompassing Swaledale, Wensleydale and the southern part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Start the day ascending the Buttertubs Pass. Head east along the delightful Swaledale then south to lovely Wensleydale is renowned for its beauty – and its cheese. The whole dale is also famed for its association with James Herriot, the famous vet, but there are many other attractions, such as Aysgarth Falls and Castle Bolton.

The route encompasses the lesser-known roads of the Dales. Continue on to Malham, famed for its Tarn, a glacial lake. Wind your way along many scenic roads, with far-reaching views across the Yorkshire Dales, to Ribblesdale to see the Ribbleshead Viaduct and north to Hawes again.

Maybe indulge in some cheese, ice-cream or other dairy treats for tea, before returning to the hotel.

Day 3: From Dales to Moors

91 Miles

Leave Hawes and enjoy a fabulous drive across the dales to Kilnsey Crags and into Nidderdale. Visit the wonderful Brimham Rocks or the Stump Cross Caverns on the way to Ripon. See the beautiful Fountains Abbey before continuing to Ampleforth, known for its Benedictine abbey and famous Catholic school. It’s then into the Howardian Hills, to Harome, near Helmsley, to stay for two nights.

Day 4: Drive across the North York Moors to Whitby

100 Miles

Drive into the North York Moors heartland along the stunning Blakey Ridge and descend to Rosedale Abbey before heading across to Whitby and the coast. Cross back over the moors to Grosmont, known as the stop on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and onto Goathland. Head back via Pickering and Lastingham to visit the charming market town of Helmsley for a wander around the independent shops or stop for afternoon tea. Continue to Rievaulx Abbey to explore the ruins before returning to the hotel.

Day 5: Depart for Home via Castle Howard

After a hearty Yorkshire breakfast, bid farewell and depart for home. Enjoy a visit to Castle Howard or Nunnington Hall, if you have not already done so. on your way south.

Where we'll stay

The first hotel is an award-winning country house hotel with breathtaking views over Upper Wensleydale, the River Ure and the foothills of the Pennine range. The restaurant is the best for miles around and gives a contemporary tweak to local Dales produce.

The second hotel has arguably one of the most beautiful country hotel settings in North Yorkshire overlooking the duck pond in a picturesque village near Helmsley. The hotel offers lovely rooms, all set around a courtyard of fruit trees. There is also an indoor heated swimming pool. The hotel is also famed for its fabulous food and meals are excellent.

What's included

Requirements

Classic Car Hire

We have partnered with Northumbria Classic Car Hire, based in Newcastle upon Tyne. They offer a superb range of wonderful classic cars to explore this beautiful region. Please mention Classic Travelling upon booking to secure the best rate.

Gallery

Price from £120 for the tour book (incl UK P&P)

Founded 2003

Since 2003 Classic Travelling has specialised in driving tours and motoring holidays for classic, vintage, and sports cars of all ages in the UK, Europe, USA and South Africa.