Askrigg Cottage Holidays

19/02/2025

The reality of lambing time for farmers. Brilliant 🐑🐑

16/02/2025

One of our much loved local landmarks

Rabbits and Russians...what do they have to do with this Wensleydale landmark? If you've ever driven from Aysgarth to Hawes, you'll have seen Lady Hill on the right hand side going towards Hawes.

The distinctive round hill rises from the River Ure flood plain below, with a crown of trees. The hill is really a drumlin, a perfect half-buried egg shape formed by a moving glacier. The Scots pine trees which top the hill were planted to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Look closer and you'll also see there's a tumbledown wall around the hill. Was this just a fanciful endeavour by a landowner to clear the surrounding land? Why did the trees need to be fenced in? According to local stories, the wall was built thanks to the Normans and the last Russian Czar...

"Curiouser and curiouser", I hear you say. And actually you'd be right - there's a rabbit connection too.

We can thank the Normans for bringing rabbits to Yorkshire, where they were bred for food and fur. Silver-haired rabbits were particularly prized for their fur. It's said that local game dealer Frank Sayer-Graham (who was responsible for the building of Aysgarth Rock Garden) made a good living from breeding and selling silver-haired rabbits to line car coats. He may even have supplied the last Czar of Russia with rabbit furs.

The rabbits were bred and kept within a walled warren at the top of Lady Hill. The high wall supposedly prevented wild rabbits from interbreeding with the silver-haired ones and it was easier to catch rabbits from within a relatively small walled enclosure. The furs were probably carried off to eager buyers via the nearby Wensleydale Railway.

Photo: Guy Capenter

16/02/2025

Yorkshire Dales Weekend Itinerary 🚗🌿

This Yorkshire Dales weekend itinerary is the perfect blend of natural beauty, charming villages and local flavours! 🌿✨

Day 1

📍 Bolton Abbey – Start your weekend at this historic abbey ruin near Skipton

📍 Grassington

📍 Malham Cove – A must-see natural wonder! This impressive limestone cliff offers a beautiful hike to the top with panoramic views over the Dales. This is also a Harry Potter filming location. ✨

Day 2
📍 Ribblehead Viaduct – Iconic 24-arch railway viaduct.

📍 Wensleydale Creamery (Hawes) – Visit to the famous creamery, home of the Wensleydale Cheese. This is perfect for fans of Wallace & Gromit. 🧀

📍 Hardraw Force – Next, visit England’s highest single-drop waterfall. 💦

📍 Buttertubs Pass – Drive along this scenic mountain pass. 🛣️🌄

📍 Thwaite – End your weekend in this picturesque village. 🏡

Total Distance: 🚗 58 miles
Recommended Time: ⌛ 2 days

12/02/2025

We do have the most amazing dark skies here in Askrigg

We're getting excited for our 10th anniversary Dark Skies Festival which kicks off next weekend!

It's a great opportunity to explore the beauty of the night sky, and with its stunning landscapes and clear skies, the Yorkshire Dales is the perfect place to celebrate dark skies and appreciate the wonders of the universe 👇

https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/shows/dark-skies-festival/

📸 Paul Clark |

11/02/2025

Where does your money go? Is one £10 more valuable than another? Depends where you spend it! I remember going to our local shop when I was about 15. There was always a queue, in part thanks to the sign on the counter: 'local news desk'. It was tongue-in-cheek but also true. Almost every one stopped to talk, ask about families and exchange news. At 15 I was impatient, anxious to be on my way and out into the world so I found it really frustrating, but it was that sense of community that brought me home again. There's real heart in every local business.

There's a big difference between shopping in independent businesses in rural areas, and in large shops in bigger towns. When you walk into a shop, gallery, cafe, pub or any other small business here, you're likely to be greeted by the owner, a member of their family or someone who lives locally and has worked there for a while.

There's a sense of welcome and connection. It doesn't take long before they remember you and what you like. There's banter in the butchers, the wine shop owner who always remembers your favourite wine even when you don't (thanks Corks and Cases!), the gallery owner who can second-guess not only your preferences but those of the friends you've bought for in the past (Masham Gallery!)

Shopping can take a bit longer here, as you go from shop to shop in search of each of their specialities. But that's a good thing. Slowing down can do us all good, and the conversations along the way are uplifting and satisfying.

You're not just spending money in a shop - you're investing in a sense of community. It might be easy for me to drive to the nearest supermarket but they won't remember me next week, nor will they gather up produce and take it out to the person on a mobility scooter outside, checking that they're well. Shops here perform a service beyond their basic sales.

Spend a little while in Settle, Skipton, Masham, Richmond, Leyburn, Hawes, Reeth, Ingleton, Pateley Bridge, Sedbergh or one of the other Dales market towns, and your money really does go further!

Research found that when you shop locally, for every £10 you spend, about £50 is generated in the local economy through the multiplier effect. You spend £10 in the grocers, and then they go and buy a paper from the newsagents, who pays a local window-cleaner for their services, who can then afford dance lessons for their children in the village hall, and so it goes on...

08/02/2025

Semerwater is the second largest natural lake in North Yorkshire (after Malham Tarn) and the subject of a number of sketches and paintings by JMW Turner. This photo was taken on Thursday evening.

📸 Wendy McDonnell |

08/02/2025

Ingleton is a lovely ride out from our two holiday cottages in Askrigg

The village of Ingleton, with its cottages and railway viaduct, Yorkshire Dales National Park 🇬🇧 Read more in comments 👇

06/02/2025

Which is your favourite Wensleydale cheese?

06/02/2025

Beautiful Keld with an amazing community ❤️

Have you heard of 'thin places'? For many, Keld is one. Not thin in the small sense, but so-called because it feels like there's no barrier between heaven and earth, a place where it's easy to connect with the spiritual atmosphere of the place.

Keld is special in many ways: its natural beauty and uplifting setting; the sense of community; and lovely, thoughtful facilities such as the Keld Resource Centre with its small and very informative museum, and the Keld Well-being Garden and Community Orchard. The community set up a Winter tearoom for walkers: Keld is a crossing point for many walks, including those by the waterfalls.

Perhaps its most special draw is the peace, and sense of not just being close to nature, but within nature, where you can rest and experience heaven on earth.

02/02/2025

Do you love a drive out and a nice lunch? This is one of our favourites about 30 minutes from Askrigg to the wonderful George Inn at Hubberholme in Upper Wharfedale.
Starting from Askrigg in Wensleydale head downdale passing the enigmatic and very recognisable Lady Hill. It is an egg shaped drumlin formed during the Ice Ages and the wall on top was originally used to keep silver haired and more valuable rabbits in a warren and away from wild rabbits. The Scots Pine trees on top of the hill were planted to celebrate one of Queen Victoria’s Jubilees. The hill was originally called Woodhall Warren and legend has it that it was renamed Lady Hill after Mary Queen of Scots tried to escape from nearby Bolton Castle.
At Aysarth then head for Thoralby in Bishopdale with lovely views down into Bishopdale. Head over Kidstones Pass and drop down into Wharfedale and turn right for the delightful hamlet of Hubberholme. The church is worth a visit but today we’re concentrating on the pub, The George Inn, originally the vicarage. The George is also known as The Candle Pub, as the vicar used to light a candle in the window when he was in and this tradition continues in the pub to the present day.
Having had a chat with George the dog and sufficient refreshments, head home along Langstrothdale along the river Wharfe and over Fleet Moss, the highest road in Yorkshire and a spectacular drive. This drops down into Gayle, and from there head to Hawes and back home to Askrigg. All in all a Grand Day Out.

02/02/2025

A wonderful description of our nearest market town, Hawes. Always plenty to explore.

02/02/2025

What are your favourite places to visit? Near to us in Askrigg we'd add the snowdrops at Mill Gill, Aysgarth Rock Garden and Bolton Castle.

Top 10 places to visit & activities in the Yorkshire Dales for a first-time visitor who wants to get a real 'feeling' for the area? My starter suggestions:
- Swaledale hay meadows
- Any dale with miles of dry stone walls and field barns, maybe Littondale?
- Settle Carlisle Railway and Ribblehead Viaduct
- Gordale Scar and the Malhamdale limestone pavements
- A traditional market town - favourites? Settle? Grassington? Hawes?
- One of the amazing routes such as Kettlewell to Middleham or the Buttertubs Pass
- One of the waterfalls - Hardraw, Stainforth Foss/Force, Janet's Foss, Catrigg Force, Aysgarth Falls?
- The Three Peaks or one of the Dales 30?
- Attractive villages - Clapham, Askrigg, Reeth, Ingleton, Redmire, Carperby, Malham, Burnsall?
- the caves - Ingleborough Cave, Stump Cross Caverns, White Scar Cave?

Agree? Others to add? Favourites? The ones above are just a starter - I haven't ranked them in any particular order. Maybe you'd like to?

31/01/2025

Ivelet Bridge in Swaledale is a hidden gem

Dating from the late 16th century, Ivelet Bridge features a coffin stone on the north side of the bridge which was used by pall bearers to rest coffins en route from Muker to Grinton.

📸 Wendy McDonnell |

27/01/2025

Perfect short breaks for couples in Askrigg in the Yorkshire Dales National Park
January is finally coming to an end and there are signs of Spring with the days getting longer and lighter and the birds beginning to sing. If, like us, you feel the need to relax and get some fresh country air, then March and April are a lovely time of year for a short break starting from 2 nights, or longer, when you need something to look forward to.
Here’s a suggestion for the perfect short break with us at Askrigg Cottage Holidays;
• Two 5 star award winning pet-free cottages in Askrigg in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Minnie’s Cottage https://www.askrigg.com/cottages/2/minnies-cottage sleeps 2 and Urlay Nook https://www.askrigg.com/cottages/11/urlay-nook sleeps 4 but is mostly occupied by couples.
• Both are perfect for couples with no need to use your car unless you wish to
• We are local owners who live in Askrigg as well so are always happy to pass on a few local secrets to help you enjoy your break as much as you can-we want you to have the best time whilst you are staying with us
• Arrive on your first evening and get settled in to a lovely warm cottage and cosy up in front of the roaring fire
• The next morning, after a leisurely morning enjoying the views of Wensleydale from your comfy bed, collect a paper from Sykes House Village Shop and freshly made croissants or a bacon butty and delicious coffee from The Bake-Well, Market Place, both only a few minutes walk away
• Enjoy a walk through the fields, which fill with lambs from March onwards.
• The Askrigg waterfalls walk is a well-kept secret and takes you through the snowdrop filled woods, climbing up through the fields and woods to Mill Gill Force. As you climb the views of Wensleydale get better and better.
• Or walk through the lower fields and along the old railway track to Bainbridge just over a mile away. Enjoy the carpet of crocus on the village green with a cuppa or a pint before you return in the café or pub.
• That evening enjoy a special meal in the award winning restaurant at Yorebridge House Hotel a mile away-booking is advised and we can also let you know details of the local taxi firm
• The next day after another leisurely morning and another visit to The Bake-Well, Market Place for coffee and brunch, browse the excellent and high quality crafts made by Dales Folk in Heather & Grouse, also in Askrigg Market Place. It is run and staffed by the Craftspeople who stock the shop so you may be treated to a demonstration.
• Then head for lunch at one of our three local pubs-The Crown Inn, Middle House Askrigg or The Kings Arms Askrigg
• Time to pack up and if you have booked a two day break enjoy a late check-out.
• On your way home pop to the nearby market towns of Hawes or Leyburn with their plethora of independent shops. Stock up on Wensleydale cheese at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes or Campbells in Leyburn so that your break can last just that little bit longer when you get home

You can find full details of our cottages at www.askrigg.com, email us at [email protected] or call us on 01969 650022

20/01/2025

Happy National Cheese Day. We love our cheese and this is made only a few miles from our holiday cottages. Great visitor centre, cafe, restaurant and best of all you can taste test for your favourite cheese 🧀

17/01/2025

Country life in Hawes

13/01/2025

A slightly different view of Mill Gill Falls, one of the waterfalls on the Askrigg Waterfalls Walk which you can do from the door of both of our holiday cottages

07/01/2025

If your New Year's resolution is to get out and about and get more fresh air, then we have plenty to spare here at Askrigg Cottage Holidays in Askrigg in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Enjoy these stunning snow day photographs-locations on each photo. Buttertubs Pass was especially stunning today.
Just imagine-you could have popped out from one of our two 5 star luxury holiday cottages and snapped some of these views yourself. Imagine the crunch of the snow underfoot and looking forward to returning to a lovely warm cottage and curling up in front of a roaring fire.
See more and check availability/book at www.askrigg.com☃️
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