The Yorkshire Dales are the landscape of drystone walls, hay meadows, stone barns and tumbling becks that many visitors picture when they think of northern England, and this tour is a gentle introduction. A driver-guide collects you from your York accommodation in the morning in an air-conditioned minibus and drives west through the Vale of York, with commentary along the way. The first stop is Thirsk and the World of James Herriot, a museum in the surgery where the author worked as a vet, whose All Creatures Great and Small books and the television series based on them draw fans from all over the world. Entry is included. Next comes the cathedral city of Ripon, then the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where the day passes through Burnsall, a village on the River Wharfe, and Grassington, a cobbled market town with plenty of tea rooms and shops. The route continues to the tiny hamlets of Hubberholme and Yockenthwaite, among the quietest places in the Dales, and finishes with a stop at the Wensleydale Creamery, home of the crumbly cheese that Wallace and Gromit made famous. It is a long, scenic day that suits anyone who wants to see the countryside without driving.
How to visit
The tour starts at about 8:30am with hotel pickup from accommodation in York city centre, so be ready ten minutes earlier, and lasts about eight and a half hours. The ticket includes a local driver-guide, live commentary, air-conditioned minibus transport, hotel pickup and drop-off in the city centre and entry to the World of James Herriot museum in Thirsk.
Food and drink and gratuities are not clearly included, so plan to buy lunch and bring some money for the creamery. Importantly, this booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so book it once your plans are fixed.
What to expect
The stops are short, between ten minutes and about an hour and a half, which keeps the day moving but leaves little time to hike. If you want to walk in the Dales, this tour gives you a taste rather than a full day on the hills.
The weather can change quickly, so bring a waterproof and wear comfortable shoes, and expect some winding roads, which can be uncomfortable if you are prone to travel sickness. The tour suits adults and older children and is popular with fans of the All Creatures Great and Small television series.
Making the most of it
Eat a good breakfast, bring a bottle of water and a small bag for cheese and gifts, and take the front seats if you tend to feel travel sick. The creamery is a good place to buy a picnic or presents, and Grassington is the best place for lunch. If you are visiting in winter, check that the route is running as normal, since weather can affect the high Dales roads.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day minibus tour with hotel pickup, the World of James Herriot museum, Ripon Cathedral, Dales villages and the Wensleydale Creamery.
Best time
Spring to early autumn, when the Dales are green and the villages are busiest.
How long
About eight and a half hours, from about 8:30am.
Tips
Book once your plans are fixed because the ticket is non-refundable, bring a waterproof and plan to buy lunch in Grassington.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Fans of All Creatures Great and Small, countryside lovers and anyone who prefers not to drive.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the museum, the villages and the cheese, but the day is long and the stops are short.
- Couples
- Quiet hamlets, stone bridges and a long scenic drive make a gentle romantic day.
- Pair with
- A relaxed evening in York, or the Whitby and Moors trip on another day.
- Time needed
- A full day, about eight and a half hours.
Good questions
How long is the Yorkshire Dales day trip from York?+
The tour lasts about eight and a half hours, starting at about 8:30am with pickup from your accommodation in York city centre.
Is the World of James Herriot museum included?+
Yes, the ticket includes entry to the World of James Herriot museum in Thirsk, the first stop of the day.
Is lunch included on the Dales tour?+
Food and drink are not clearly included, so plan to buy lunch, with Grassington a good choice, and bring some money for the Wensleydale Creamery.
Can I cancel the Yorkshire Dales tour?+
No, this booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so book it only when your plans are settled.
Does the Dales tour pick up from my hotel?+
Yes, there is pickup and drop-off from accommodation in York city centre. Be ready about ten minutes before the start time.
