12 Epic Family Adventures and Days Out in the Yorkshire Dales
The Ribblehead Viaduct one of the most iconic places in the Yorkshire Dales
Heading to the Yorkshire Dales with the Kids this year?
Well we have the perfect list of adventures for you to try! Yes, it’s true. It’s New Year and if you are planning all of your adventures for the next year, then we have a perfect one for each month in the Yorkshire Dales, perfectly suited to each month. Each one designed to add an extra element of outdoors to your visit (hopefully whinge free - can’t promise that!)
So if you’re a family visiting, maybe you’re local and looking for inspiration or perhaps you’ve just moved to the Yorkshire Dales, then look no further!
Let’s see what’s in store.
If you’re looking for more, then try our Visit with Kids Guides, for more attractions or our Yorkshire Dales Events page for the seasonal events!
Hull Pot waterfall in full flow on the side of Pen y ghent
January: Hunt the Pots, Pen y ghent.
Cryptic huh?
Well it may sound blummin’ confusing, but actually it’s just making sure you explore more! There’s more to Pen y ghent than its trig point! These two ‘pots’ (aka massive holes) are found on the western flanks of the fell and are well worth an adventure in themselves.
I’ll be honest, sometimes climbing a mountain is lost in the whole ‘let’s get to the top and take a picture’ without enjoying the adventure. So this is your sign to slow down. You might not decide to even GO to the top after you’ve found these beauties and that’s ok. Because a mountain is more than a mountain. (FYI You can absolutely also make your way to the top and that’s ok too!)
Check out our Pen y ghent route to familiarise yourself with the route and the map (always take a back up map too!)
Hull Pot
This is what remains of a huge collapsed cavern, which looks not unlike a crater left by some kind of meteorite. Into the gaping chasm flows Hull Pot Beck, and I say ‘flow’ in the loosest sense, because it’s usually dry. This is caving country and there are deep dark places into which the water flows when the water levels are normal or low.
But if you can time it right, you can catch Hull Pot waterfall, which is a rarity and an absolute treat to see! The conditions you need are totally saturated ground (you can hedge your bets after a quick snow melt) coupled with heavy and prolonged rainfall. The times we have seen it, water has been running down the path, so the signs are there before you even get there.
Check the river levels on the River Ribble to help make your judgement if you’re heading from far away so your journey isn’t wasted.
Hunt Pot on the side of Pen y ghent
Hunt Pot
The other pot on the side of Pen y ghent. Thankfully, if you end up NOT getting Hull Pot waterfall in flow, you can find Hunt Pot which is much more likely to look like this (pictured above).
But still, one that’s best in the winter months.
This waterfall was described by Wainwright as being an ‘evil slit’ and you can certainly see why! Look at that gaping chasm. That massive black hole is around 60m deep and is only accessible by ropes, so keep away from the edge.
Still absolutely stunning and definitely one in need of seeing!
So slow down and take those detours!
A little word…
I’ve suggested these for January, because with likely high level snow and plenty of rain, it’s the most probable month that you’ll see these bad boys at their best. However.
Mountains are not to be taken lightly, and in winter conditions, the right footwear and clothing must be worn. Check out our safety tips and advice for more information and for expert links.
In very poor visibility you must know there are steep and exposed sudden drops that you might not see in cloud. So if in doubt, try it another day. These places have been here for thousands of years. They’ll still be here for your next adventure.
The Ribblehead Viaduct Memorial
February: The Ribblehead Viaduct
This is just a super adventure for the short winter days and I’ll ask you, is there a more iconic view in the Yorkshire Dales?
Ok. The kids might not agree, but if you check out the timetables, you might be able to catch the trains running over and occasionally there’s a steam train too!
It’s a short wander to the viaduct and you can also take the pushchair to the arches. Fancy walking a bit further? Head to our Ribblehead walk. Also highly recommend The Station Inn for a call in for family friendly pub grub and a roaring fire.
The Old Gang Smelt Mill
March: The Old Gang Smelt Mill
These super cool ruins are an excellent adventure (as long as you don’t go climbing on them!)
These are the remains from the old smelting mill date back to the 1800s and they litter the landscape with epic ruins. It’s well worth a visit and a walk up to Great Pinseat makes for an easy to navigate circular walk, with a summit and loads of interest along the way! Park at Surrender Bridge for the walk.
Not yet on the website, which is weird…. what could be going on there?!
A word…
Make sure you don’t climb any of the ruins or head into any of the mine-shafts. Excellent to see - just be aware they’ve been there for a while and definitely aren’t health and safety approved (unless you’re an expert in this kind of stuff!)
It may sometimes look like this but it’s a beaut!
April: Bag the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Ingleborough
Well here we go!
The Yorkshire Three Peaks comprise Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen y ghent and whilst there’s a Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, you can tackle them one at a time too!
Now the days are really stretching out, but we’re not in the height of Summer… so they’re quieter. A great time to start bagging them!
Starting them with Ingleborough.
Our family route takes you up from Ingleton, which is (after SO. MUCH. RESEARCH.) The shortest and best route for kids. But the link will also take you to my personal fav. Which is the circular from Clapham.
Enjoy
Just remember for this and the other Yorkshire Three Peaks…
Sure the daylight hours are stretching out and it might be warm down low, but it can still be freezing up on the summits! Check out our safety and information page and make sure you are adventure smart. Warm layers, sun protection AND dealing with cold wind and dark skies a necessity! So headtorch all year round.
The Wensleydale Creamery
May: Visit Hawes for the perfect half term adventure
There is SO MUCH GOING ON IN HAWES! Why is this so overlooked?!
I’ll never understand, but I HAVE written a full Visit Hawes with Kids Guide so make sure you check that out!
May half term is an ace time to visit Hawes. Try walking to Aysgill waterfall, or heading to the play park. Maybe you could visit the Wensleydale Creamery or just head to the Dales Countryside Museum who have loads of crafty things going on that don’t break the bank!
So make this an adventure for your New Year!
Force Gill the waterfall on the side of Whernside
June: Whernside
This is the highest of the Three Peaks and is a super challenge for the longer daylight hours! Take your time over the climb, have a picnic at the summit (remember to take your rubbish home and leave no trace behind) and pay a visit to the waterfall on the way back down.
Find our Whernside route here!
When you’ve done that, you’ll have bagged the highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales (and the whole of Yorkshire.. as it is now. Don’t let the folk start to tell you about boundary lines…. because technically the summit trig is in Cumbria…. and then there is a higher spot in the North Pennines that used to be the highest part in Yorkshire until it became part of County Durham sooooooooo let’s not trigger anybody….)
Can of worms right there.
Hardraw Force Waterfall
July: Hardraw Force
Heading to the highest overground waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales is definitely one for the list. But in July?
Well, here’s the thing. Time it after some heavy rainfall (something we get a fair amount of in July… unless it was July 2025…) and get yourselves there for some stunning summer waterfall action! Yes, it’s a big ‘un so whilst some will disappoint in summer, this one is pretty much a stalwart when it comes to Summer waterfalls.
A stunning wooded glade, dripping with greenery and an epically powerful waterfall (where Kevin Costner’s bum-double took a shower) I say Kevin Costner should’ve gone in himself!
Something to mention…
Hardraw is on private property and there is a charge to enter. This goes to the maintenance of the footpaths and trails around the waterfall. Check out the famous Green Dragon pub whilst you’re there.
Swimming in a Keld waterfall
August: Waterfall Hunt in Keld
Keld is hands down the best spot in the Dales to find waterfalls and for such a tiny village there are many.
But if you care to seek, you will absolutely find. Whilst I’m going to be a little tease for some, most of the waterfalls you’ll find on our Keld waterfalls walk . For me, sometimes knowing everything ruins the adventure! LET THE HUNT COMMENCE! There are more to be found…
(Steer clear of Catrake Foss with the kids - stunning to see, very hard to access)
A Note on Wild Swimming with Kids
Do check out our blog on wild swimming with kids, which has links to so much safety information. Always supervise children around water because there are always hidden hazards and currents you must be wary of, particularly around waterfalls which often have deep plunge pulls and strong undercurrents. We always stay clear of the white water around the drops where water density and therefore buoyancy decreases. Water always stays cold even in the Summer and as a general rule, if in doubt, stay out.
Walking towards Pen y ghent
September: Pen y ghent
The last of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and the smallest. But regardless of size, it’s my fav of the Y3P. But I’ll admit it is TOTALLY people-y and in actuality I avoid all three of the major peaks in the Summer months because they’re just too MUCH!
In September, they do begin to die down and then you still have the daylight hours, without the Summer holiday crew for company!
So that’s why Pen y ghent is great in September. Plus, we’ve also caught the waterfall on Hull Pot flowing in September too, so even more of a bonus! My advice is to always tackle the fell with the scramble on the way up with the kids, so check out our Pen y ghent route for more.
The Stunning waterfall in Clapham
October: Clapham for my favourite stories.
Ok. I am a total Folklore and Ghost Story nerd. It’s a fact and you will find me constantly updating the blog on the Witches, Ghosts and Folklore of the Yorkshire Dales if you tap those links.
And that’s exactly why Clapham has been kept for the month of Halloween! Because it is stunning in Autumn and you’ll encounter the home of Alice Ketyll who was the ‘witch’ of Clapham. She was so well renowned that she has been immortalised in the millennium stone of Clapham (you’ll find that in the car park) but her story? Well that might have been a tad… ahem embellished over the years!
But not just that, above Clapham is Trow Gill and in the moorland above, an allegedly murdered German Spy was found hidden in the one of the many cave openings. But let’s remember the children (WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?!)
Well, try the Mimpish Squimbies trail through the Ingleborough Estate and then head to Ingleborough Cave to explore the show cave there. There are cafes and pubs in the village and also a play park to finish off with! Enjoy!
Linton Falls
November: Watch the Salmon Leap
It COULD be October. But we spotted the trout leaping at Linton Falls in November and there were definitely salmon leaping at Stainforth at the same time!
Ok. So I literally know nothing about fish. But I DO know that the salmon leap at Stainforth and everybody and their dog heads there to try and witness them.
But have you thought about trout.
I mean not in like a culinary sense, but in a leaping sense. Because they do a migratory leaping attempt upstream too. And I’ll happily sit here and say it’s just as impressive as seeing the salmon.
So there. HA! (P.S. no shade to the fishing people. It just turns out I’m impressed by any fish attempting a seemingly impossible feat.)
So Linton or Stainforth, wherever your fish persuasion may lie, why not head there in November! (When we saw them)
Why not try our Linton to the Fountaine Inn walk that we did when we saw the fish leap?
Grassington in December
December: Grassington
Christmas markets, a Christmas light switch on and the classiest lights in the Dales. Grassington is definitely one for a Christmas adventure.
Try a walk to Grass woods, or down to Linton Falls, head to the play park, for a hot chocolate at one of the many lush cafes (we love the Brownie Hatch for a Hot Choc) and then do a spot of Christmas shopping. It’s got something for everybody!