Askrigg Tourist Information
Askrigg is perfect for people looking for walking holidays and has some wonderful scenery for any avid photographers. It is situated within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is part of Richmondshire. If you want to observe the natural history of a working farm visit Hazel Brown Farm, a 200 acre traditional farm in Richmond, just eight miles away from Askrigg town centre. They have many family activities, such as feeding the animals, watching the lambing in spring, finding discovery boxes along the nature trail and participating in the treasure hunt.
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Askrigg is popular all year round, as it always has something new to offer. For instance, the many waterfalls in and around Askrigg that are particularly exciting during autumn when it is wetter - the mass of water cascading over the cliffs can be a thrilling sight. You can discover the fascinating story of the area, dating back to the Iron Age, at the Dales Countryside Museum and National Park Centre in the nearby town of Hawes. You could even take part in one of the many workshops they hold there or watch one of the demonstrations.
Walking in Askrigg
Askrigg offers some of the best walking routes available. The mountainous countryside have a whole host of areas to walk in, and they range from easy walks that you can take the children on to tougher ones that may take all day! One of the easiest walks is around Aysgarth Falls, where you can take in the spectacular three level waterfall. The walk is less than two miles long and is perfect for children. The surrounding woods, St Joseph's Woods, is great for spotting wildlife as well.
If you're after a more strenuous walk the area around Bolton Castle, a quick drive away from Askrigg, is great - the walk is around eleven miles long and you will be able to walk through the picturesque hamlet of Woodhall and follow the River Ure.
There are a great many waterfalls in and around Askrigg. The most famous is Aysgarth Falls, but if you want to see one without having to travel too far outside of Askrigg Mill Gill Force is the best. It is just a short walk of three and a half miles from the village and they gentle falls make for fantastic photographs.
Whitfield Force and Grange Beck are next in line, and they both lead back to Askrigg if you follow the footpaths and bridges. The highest unbroken waterfall in England is Hardraw Force, which is just six miles away. It is placed within a wooden ravine and it was featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Things to do in Askrigg
Bolton Castle is the place to learn all about medieval cultures and living conditions. The fortress is a mere seven miles from Askrigg and it has been preserved in incredible condition even though it is over six hundred years old. You can learn all about Mary Queen of Scots' imprisonment, its besiegement during the Civil War and more. They have constantly changing monthly events, tailored to the holidays - ghost tours around Halloween and a tour through specially decorated rooms around Christmas to show you how the celebration has been held throughout the ages. Both adults and children will find the displays, talks and exhibitions absolutely fascinating and you can also take in the exquisite gardens and sample some of the delicious sandwiches, light lunches and cakes in the tea room.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is the best place to see some great British wildlife, and it's almost literally on Askrigg's doorstep - the Park begins just under two miles away from the town. Birdwatchers will find the Park particularly interesting, as there are over fifteen varieties living within its borders, including the Merlin, the Sky Lark and the Northern Goshawk. You should definitely bring along your camera and see if you can photograph the elusive red squirrel!
Restaurants, Pubs and Hotels in Askrigg
If it's a hearty pub lunch you're after you should visit The Crown Inn. The inn has been open since the early 1800s and serves scrumptious food and various beers, ales and spirits. Of course, sometimes you just want a light meal and, if that's the case, Sykes Tearoom in the centre of the village is the perfect fit. They serve homemade scones with jam and cream and good Yorkshire tea. Rowan Tree is a great little restaurant in Hawes, just ten minutes away. They serve food until 9pm and are able to hold private parties. Their food is reasonably priced and tasty.
For such a small area Askrigg has more than a few pubs on offer. Most of them also serve food and some have accommodations available. The Kings Arms in the Market Place is definitely the closest, and they have everything you need to keep you happy. They serve food alongside their great drinks menu and they're dog friendly, so if you've bought your pet along with you on your holiday you don't need to worry about leaving it at the hotel! Most of the accommodation in Askrigg comprises of comfortable and friendly B&Bs and inns. If you'd rather stay in a hotel there are some great ones in the surrounding areas.
Photo Credits
Nappa Hall image contributed by Geoff Keeble. Askrigg image contributed by Steve Partridge. Gorse image contributed by Geoff Davies. All images are copyrighted but licensed for further reuse under the Creative Commons License.
