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A Glimpse Of Wensleydale Looking down Walden Dale to distant, sunlit Wensleydale. Photo by Roger Gilbertson.

Top 10 Facts about Wensleydale

Wensleydale is a beautiful, soul-filled valley of River Ure, situated at the center of Yorkshire Dales in the UK. It has enchanting medieval castles, interesting villages, stunning waterfalls, and a calm tranquil atmosphere perfect for both visitors and locals.

 Perhaps most famously known for the Wensleydale historic cheese whose making traces back to ancient times. It is divided into upper and lower Wensleydale.

Hawes, Upper Wensleydale’s main town is the home to one of England’s largest single-drop waterfalls,  the famous Wensleydale Creamery, and Dales Countryside Museum.

Given the variety of interesting places to visit, one can barely complete touring every amazing site in Wensleydale in a day! They are just too many. Let us now look at the top 10 facts about this spectacular valley!

1. Wensleydale is a haven for picturesque market towns

Hawes, upper Wensleydale, UK. Photo by Mick Garratt.

Villages of Wensleydale are quite a sight to behold. From an array of local craft workshops, restaurants, great places to shop, and cinemas to castles and waterfalls, each town has something to offer.

Hawes, for example, is a town located in upper Wensleydale. It has the Hardraw Force waterfall, which is quite popular. The Dales Countryside Museum is also located here.

Leyburn is the main town on lower Wensleydale. It has an antique auction house, tea pottery, a chocolate maker, a violin maker workshop, and a cinema. It also has a craft workshop where stained glass, paintings, and carvings are made.

2. It is famous for the historic Wensleydale cheese

Home of Wensleydale cheese. A logo familiar on a hundred supermarket shelves. One of the best things about this visitor centre is its restaurant – excellent food and service. Photo by Ken Walton.

Wensleydale cheese was first made by Cistercian monks in the 12^th century. Traditionally, they used sheep’s milk.

The art of making cheese was then gradually passed on to farmers’ wives. The first commercial production of the cheese was done in 1897, in the first creamery built in Hawes.

Wensleydale cheese is now made from cow milk. Sometimes sheep milk is added to enhance the flavor. The handcrafted cheese comes in a variety of flavors.

The Yorkshire Wensleydale Creamery is a fascinating stop for cheese lovers. It offers cheese-making demonstrations and cheese pairing experiences for visitors. It attracts thousands of visitors every year.

3. One of Europe’s largest single-drop waterfalls is located at Wensleydale

The foot of Hardraw Force. Photo by Steve Daniels.

The Hardraw Force is one of Europe’s largest single-drop waterfalls, at a height of 100 feet. It is located in Hawes, Wensleydale.

Just behind the Green Dragon Inn, the fall’s waters can be seen crashing through to the bottom on the other side. It is a unique tourist attraction. An annual brass band contest is held there every September.

Aysgarth Falls is another popular stepped waterfall, located in lower Wensleydale. It is famous for its beautiful scenery. It was also featured in the film: Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.

4. Wensleydale is home to the Boston Castle

Bolton Castle. Photo by Michael Spiller.

It is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. It was built by Sir Richard le Scrope. The castle was completed around 1399.

It was both a luxury family home and a defense fortress. The castle’s history is a fascinating one, involving Mary Queen of Scots’ imprisonment, the Pilgrimage of Grace, and a civil war siege by Lord Cromwell.

Some of its surviving buildings include Mary Queen of Scots’ bedroom, the Great Chamber, armory, dungeon, and the old kitchens.

It is still in private ownership of one of the descendants of Sir Richard, Lord Bolton. The castle is fantastic for a family day out and historic tours.

5. The Jervaulx Abbey is situated in Wensleydale

Quiet corner at Jervaulx Abbey. Photo by Colin Grice.

The Jervaulx Abbey is a privately owned Cistercian abbey built in the early 12^th century.  It is perhaps one of the largest privately-owned abbeys in Europe.

The scenic and perhaps dramatic environment of the abbey is perfect for wedding receptions and small parties.

The compound is overgrown with wildflowers that have been allowed to flourish. There are over 200 types of wildflowers!

The abbey was plundered during the dissolution of the monasteries. Its beautiful and enchanting ruins are an attraction to many who come to visit.

6. Wensleydale has a grand museum

The Dales Countryside Museum is situated in Hawes, a town in upper Wensleydale. The Museum offers exhibitions portraying the life in Yorkshire Dales, and the history of its people and places.

Themes include local crafts, family life, leisure, archaeology, and tourism. The museum is housed in a converted Hawes railway station!

Numerous workshops and family activities are available. It is run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

7. Wensleydale’s ‘Forbidden Corner’ is perfect for Halloween

Statue at entrance of the  Forbidden Corner. Photo by Immanuel Giel.

The Forbidden Corner is a secret labyrinth in Wensleydale, consisting of several underground tunnels. It provides a thrilling experience to those who enjoy a challenge or scare.

It has numerous passages, leading to nowhere. There are also extraordinary-looking statues at every turn underground, making it fun to navigate through the tunnels.   It is a popular tourist attraction.

8. It has a secret rock garden

The Aysgarth Edwardian Rock Garden is a listed building in Aysgarth town, lower Wensleydale. It was commissioned by Sir Frank Sayer Graham, who owned the cottage opposite.

He was a reputed local landowner and horticulturist. Construction of the garden began in 1906. It was designed and built by Messrs J Backhouse & Son of York, a respected firm.

The garden has incredible rockscapes, carved off huge blocks of limestone.

9. It is home to the Middleham Castle

Middleham Castle, Wensleydale, Yorkshire – the frontage of Richard III childhood home. Photo by Rosser1954.

It was a fortified castle in the early 15^th century. It is where King Richard III spent most of his childhood. The Castle passed through the ownership of the great Neville family, the Earls of Westmoreland and Warwick.

It had luxury chamber rooms and grand designs. Despite now being roofless and a bit ruined, the castle is just the right place for a picnic or tour through time. It is open to the public.

10. Wensleydale is a top tourist destination

Without a doubt, Wensleydale is a go-to tourist site, housing numerous unique features and places.

Talk about the world-famous Wensleydale cheese, Bolton and Middleham castle ruins, the tranquil Jervaulx Abbey, picturesque village towns, local crafts, the thrilling Forbidden corner, breathtaking waterfalls such as Hardraw Force, and the Dales Countryside Museum.

 The valley attracts thousands of tourists each year. It has exquisite accommodation facilities to cater to the large numbers of visitors. As one of the most beloved tourist destinations in all of Northern England, one can hardly go wrong with Wensleydale!