A 5-Day Itinerary for Your Family Glamping Break Near the Yorkshire Dales
Planning a family getaway can be a nightmare when you don't know the area. Luckily, as long-time residents of this beautiful county, we've put you together a 5-day itinerary so you can make the most of your family glamping break near the Yorkshire Dales!
Since we're local to the Dales, we know a thing or two about must-see sights and must-do activities (and dry stone walls!) to make the most of your trip.
So, make some notes and take some screenshots, because we're about to plan your perfect 5-day glamping holiday in the beautiful North West of England.
The Perfect Base for Family Glamping Near the Yorkshire Dales
If you're looking for a base for your getaway, look no further than Newlands Farm Stables.
We're situated in the historic market town of Kendal in Cumbria. Our accommodations are just an hour's drive from the Yorkshire Dales National Park (and only 10 minutes from the Lake District!).
Nestled in the glorious countryside, you'll be surrounded by rolling fields, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and beautiful bird song.
Family glamping is what we do best at our site, luxury glamping at that.
If you'd like to find out more about our luxury glamping barns, follow the booking page below.
We hope to see you for your adventure very soon.
Day 1 in the Yorkshire Dales
Welcome to day one of your northern adventure! You're about to have the greatest few days in Yorkshire.
After waking up refreshed from your travel day, it's time to start the day off right.
Get Breakfast from a Local Farm Shop
We recommend heading to a local farm shop, like Low Sizergh Barn, and getting some supplies for a full English back at your accommodation.
Nothing sets the day up better than a big brekkie.
Walk Aysgarth Falls
After breakfast, we recommend driving an hour to Aysgarth Falls (upper, middle, and lower) for an easy, scenic walk suitable for all ages.
Credit: @yorkshiredales on Instagram.com
The falls along the river Ure are a beautiful sight and offer the perfect tranquil setting to set your Yorkshire Dales trip off to a fantastic start.
Have fun exploring the surrounding woodland and spot interesting wildlife along the way.
Stop at Mill Race Tea Shop for Lunch & Visit Bolton Castle
For lunch, you could treat yourself at Mill Race Tea Shop, which is onsite at the falls, or you could head to one of the many nearby pubs. Unless you’re still full from breakfast!
In the afternoon, since it's only 10 minutes from where you are, we recommend visiting the historical Bolton Castle. This is a great place for kids with plenty of activities, medieval fun, and exciting falconry displays!
Credit: @boltoncastlewensleydale on Instagram.com
They do things for the adults, too.
There's a tea room if you need to grab a quick coffee, tours available, and lots of different events to get stuck into. Just be sure to check their calendar before you go!
Head Home for Dinner
After all of that, you'll probably want to head back to Newlands for a bit of R&R, ready for day 2. You don't want to burn yourself out on the first day!
You could either head back for a BBQ or homemade pizza, or make a nice and easy hearty meal.
If you’re staying at Newlands, you could head into town. There are tons of restaurants to try, like Pedro's Casa for a spot of Mexican or Cortillo Lounge for a little bit of everything, including some delicious cocktails!
Day 2 in the Yorkshire Dales
If there are any Harry Potter fans in the house, this day might be the most exciting for you. Malham Cove is one of the famous filming locations from The Deathly Hallows Part 1, and even if you're not a HP fan, the views make it worth a visit.
Do the Malham Cove Circular Walk
Credit: @explore_dipdab on Instagram.com
We suggest getting up nice and early ahead of this trip because the walk can get quite busy.
Taking an on-the-go breakfast — perhaps a protein bar or even some fruit – and packing some snacks or even a packed lunch will help you stay energised throughout the day.
While this hike might not be ideal for small children, it is only 2.5 hours long, so if you have a slightly older family, everyone should be fine.
You begin this hike at Janet's Foss, going on to Gordale Scar, and finishing at Malham Cove. This beautifully scenic circular route should be high on your Yorkshire bucket list. You can find more information on the AllTrails website.
Grab a Yorkshire Pub Lunch
After your long walk, you might be just about ready for a pint. The Lister Arms in Malham is a great choice, especially if you have dogs with you.
Read More: The 5 Best Dog-Friendly Walks in Yorkshire
Explore Settle
Once you're ready to head back out there, why not go over to Settle, where you can visit the Folly, home to the Museum of North Craven Life. The Folly is a Grade 1 listed property, and its uniqueness makes it well worth a visit.
If you're not ready to go back to base just yet, Settle is a lovely market town to explore, so stay a while and soak up the vibrancy of the area!
When you are ready to drive back to your accommodation, pick up some local produce for a delicious tea. You'll probably be starving after your busy day, and Cumberland sausages with mash and gravy sound incredible.
Day 3 in the Yorkshire Dales
Day 3 is all about cheese, small towns, and short walks. Since you're three days into your trip, you couldn't possibly wait any longer before you get your hands on a bit of the famous Wensleydale cheese.
You've had a busy few days, especially if you consider the travel. Day 3 is a great day to keep things a little mellow.
We suggest having a slow morning on the site, perhaps enjoying a coffee on the terrace while watching the countryside life go by.
Visit Wensleydale Creamery
Only when you're ready and raring to go, make your journey to the Wensleydale Creamery for the Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese Experience, where you'll see cheese-making demonstrations, learn about the thousand-year cheese-making culture in the Dales, and even get to try some delicious cheese.
Credit: @thenorthernist and @wensleydale_creamery on Instagram.com
At the end, you'll have the opportunity to buy any cheeses you particularly liked the taste of, or even grab a spot of lunch in their cafe.
Kids go free, and tickets can be booked online or at the door.
Spend Some Time in Hawes
When you've finished at the creamery, you're only a short distance from the market town of Hawes and Hardraw Force, England's highest single-drop waterfall, making it the perfect opportunity to tick some more Yorkshire sights off your list.
Tuck Into a Takeaway Tea
Once you've finished leisurely exploring, we think heading back to your glamping site is exactly what you need.
You might even want to pick up a takeaway before heading back to round off your relaxing day.
Day 4 in the Yorkshire Dales
After your relaxing third day in the Yorkshire Dales, it's time to get going again on day 4. After all, you're already over halfway through your trip!
Ingleton Waterfalls Circular Trail
Starting your day off at Ingleton Waterfalls for the 4.3-mile circular trail (proving you're travelling with older children), you'll get to experience the serenity of a morning walk, as well as catch some spectacular views of the falls.
Ancient woodland surrounds the falls, making it a fascinating place for your children to explore and let off some steam! Even more so if you bring a yummy packed lunch for extra energy.
Marvel at White Scar Cave
Just a ten-minute drive from the falls is the mesmerising White Scar Cave, the largest show cave in the UK with unique underground waterfalls.
The guided walk covers a mile and takes about 80 minutes. During this time, you'll see a huge ice-age cavern, cascading falls, and thousands of stalactites suspended above you. It's a total treat for the senses.
Stop at Ribblehead Viaduct
Your final recommended stop for the day is at the Ribblehead Viaduct. Since you're in the area, it would be rude not to.
This massive example of Victorian engineering stands proud in the heart of the dales, and the impressive structure makes it a hot spot for photographers and tourists who want the perfect photo opportunity.
Please note: If you think this is the famous viaduct used in Harry Potter, it's not. That one's in Scotland, but we can definitely see the similarities!
End the Day With a BBQ
After all of this, you deserve a nice cold beverage in the comfort of your barn. A BBQ with a few drinks and games sounds like the perfect way to end the day.
Day 5 in the Yorkshire Dales
Assuming you're leaving at the end of day 5 means you need to keep things short and sweet before your journey home.
Make the most of your time until checkout by enjoying a nice breakfast outside (weather permitting!) and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the countryside one last time.
Just make sure you leave enough time to pack!
See Devil's Bridge on the River Lune
If you love your history, this is a site for you. It's said that the devil paid a visit to an elderly lady here. You can make up your own mind about that.
Devil's Bridge on the River Lune, a 13th-century structure, is a perfect location for a riverbank picnic, too, so be sure to bring supplies!
If you have time, you can follow the bridge and walk to admire Ruskin's View Point, finishing up in Kirkby Lonsdale, a charming, explorable town, and then returning to the bridge.
This is a short, easy walk, so you'll be able to do it with children.
A nice stretch of the legs before your drive home sounds like the perfect last day activity to us. You might even be treated to a car full of snoozes!
Conclusion: Making Memories with Family Glamping in North East England
Your holiday to the Yorkshire Dales is all about making memories to cherish with your family and close friends.
Whether you're big on walking, hiking, and being outdoorsy, or you'd rather spend your time cheese-eating and sightseeing, the dales have something for everyone.
We hope we've given you a well-rounded itinerary for your trip, but feel free to chop and change to what suits your personal preferences!
Have a fantastic time experiencing everything this stunning part of the country has to offer!
And remember, if you're still looking for that perfect base, Newlands Farm Stables is more than happy to accommodate you and your family for your visit!