Pictures of Hawes

About Hawes

This is a thriving, friendly market town at the heart of Wensleydale, it shows beautiful old stone properties, quaint shops, galleries, craft workshops and cafe's arranged around winding cobbled streets. The town was granted its market charter by William III in 1699. Interesting properties in Hawes consist of the old market toll-house at the side of the Market Hall, the former Quaker rest house of 1668, the 17th century Rose House and there is a welcoming inn which was a former coaching inn in the days of horse travel. One of the pleasures of the town is to stand on the old stone bridge at it's centre to watch the spectacle of foaming waters tumbling down from Wensley beck.

Hawes is an important centre for livestock, with the surrounding countryside offering good grazing for sheep and cattle. Conditions here are ideal for dairy farming - this is the home of the famous Wensleydale cheese which has been made in the area since the 12th century. The original recipe is thought to have come from a group of Cistercian monks who came to Wensleydale at around that time. It is also the home of the Dales Countryside Museum which depicts the history of the Dales and tells the story of the local mining and agricultural heritage of the area.

Local beauty spots include the high drama of Hardraw Force, England's highest single-drop waterfall and the magical Buttertubs Pass which lies to the north of the town.

Hawes has a great tradition of welcome, it is a charming place to visit for a peaceful few days or to use as a base whilst exploring the spectacular hills and valley's of Wensleydale and Swaledale, both linked by the Buttertubs Pass.