Clapham is one of the most charming and quaint villages in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The village is also located near some spectacular natural attractions. Indeed, many people go to Clapham to either climb Ingleborough or to explore Ingleborough Cave or Gaping Gill. But, there are other worthwhile things to do in Clapham. In this guide, we’re going to tell you about the best things to do in and around the village. This will include information about walks such as the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail as well as practical tips such as how to get there and where to stay (The New Inn Clapham is your best option).
Table of Contents
About Clapham, Yorkshire Dales
Clapham is truly a picture-postcard village in the Yorkshire Dales. Certainly, it’s worth visiting Clapham just to merely set eyes on this picturesque village. But, there’s more to Clapham than just being pretty. The village is steeped in a fascinating history.
In terms of ancient settlements, it’s believed that nearby caves were used for shelter as long as 14,400 years ago! Whilst, stone hut circles, found on the nearby summit of Ingleborough, date back to the Iron Age (1200–550BC). Thereafter, it appears the Romans didn’t have a strong presence in the area. It’s not until approximately 700–990AD, that we see possible proof of Anglo-Saxon presence in the form of small holdings.
Other than being downright gorgeous and having an interesting history, the village itself is a fantastic launching pad for exploring nearby mind-blowing attractions. With this in mind, we’re going to reveal the best things to do in and around Clapham, Yorkshire! But, first, where exactly is this village located?
Read our guides about Grassington and Ingleton
Where Is Clapham?
No, we’re not talking about Clapham in London. We’re talking about Clapham in Yorkshire. The ‘Yorkshire Clapham’ is located in the civil parish of Clapham cum Newby in the Craven district of North Yorkshire in the northwest of England. You’ll also find Clapham is positioned in the southwest corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. To help you get your bearings, please click on the image below to access an interactive map.
Walking Routes, Caves and Natural Attractions in Clapham, Yorkshire
There are many awesome things to do in Clapham in North Yorkshire. Without a doubt, most people go to Clapham to use it as a base to see nearby natural attractions. Indeed, from Clapham, you can enjoy breathtaking walks and access epic caves. Without further ado, let’s talk about Clapham’s excellent nature trail – the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, which acts as a gateway to many beautiful nearby natural sites.
1. Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail
Starting from Clapham, you can join the tranquil and serene Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail. Along the woodland trail, you’ll pass a serene lake, a money tree, an area of pretty rhododendrons, ruins of ‘the Grotto’ and old hydraulic pumps. At the end of the trail, you’ll find the spectacular Ingleborough Cave.
FYI – it costs £2.50 per adult and £1 per child (3–15 years old) to use the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail. You can pay at the Old Saw Mill Cafe located next to the trailhead. The cafe is open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Outside of these hours, there’s a ticket machine where you can make payment with cash or card.
2. Ingleborough Cave
After walking along the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, it’s possible to explore the famous Ingleborough Cave. It’s one of the most well-known show caves in the UK. Inside the cave, you’ll find some of the most incredible underground formations.
Read more: Ingleborough Cave – The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide
3. Trow Gill
Not far from the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail and Ingleborough Cave, you’ll find Trow Gill. It’s a sensational limestone gorge, similar to Conistone Dib near Grassington. Sure, Trow Gill may not be quite as spectacular as Gordale Scar found on the Malham Cove Walk or Attermire Scar found on the Settle Caves and Waterfalls Walk. But, Trow Gill is certainly still worth checking out.
4. Gaping Gill
At the very least, you’ll want to visit and walk through Trow Gill to get to Gaping Gill, which is another impressive cave to visit. Gaping Gill is home to the largest cavern and underground waterfall in the UK. Amazingly, it’s possible to be winched down Gaping Gill! But, the winch, only operates two weeks of the year. So, you’ll need to be prepared.
Read more: Gaping Gill – The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide (How to Visit)
5. Ingleborough
Another iconic landform to explore near Clapham is Ingleborough, which is the second-highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales and one of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks. To reach Ingleborough from Clapham, you’ll start at the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, pass Ingleborough Cave, pass through Trow Gill and pass by Gaping Gill. From Ingleborough, you’ll enjoy superb views of the Forest of Bowland, the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and Morecambe Bay.
Read more: Ingleborough Walk From Clapham – The Ultimate Guide
6. Great Scar Limestone Group
Near Ingleborough, you’ll find a large area of stunning limestone pavements. Forming part of the Great Scar Limestone Group, Clapham is a great starting destination in order to explore these mesmerising limestone formations.
7. The Clapham Tunnels, Yorkshire
After exploring Ingleborough and the Great Scar limestone pavement, we recommend returning to Clapham via Long Lane. That way, you’ll get to pass through two intriguing tunnels, known as the Clapham Tunnels.
Otherwise, these tunnels are just a stone’s throw away from the village. So, it’s easy to visit the tunnels by doing a short walk via Long Lane.
8. Clapham Falls and Clapham Beck
Located near the entrance of the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, you’ll find the pleasant Clapham Falls. These small cascades are formed by Clapham Beck, which calmly flows through the centre of the village.
Who to Do in Clapham Village, Yorkshire
Other than exploring the delightful natural surroundings, there are some nice things to do and see in Clapham itself. This includes visiting St. James Church and Ingleborough Hall. You’ll then want to go for a bite to eat or a drink at the Old Sawmill Cafe or The New Inn Clapham.
9. St. James Church
When it comes to churches in Yorkshire, St. James Church has one of the most colourful histories. Interestingly, the origins of St. James Church date back to the 11th century. Although, the church, as you’ll see it today, was built in 1958 after the original church was destroyed during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Located near the entrance of the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, we recommend visiting and walking around this beautiful and historic Yorkshire church.
10. Ingleborough Hall
Ingleborough Hall was once the home of Reginald Farrer, who is possibly Clapham’s most famous resident. He was a great Edwardian botanist and plant collector. Many of his specimens are still located at the estate. These days, Ingleborough Hall is a Grade II listed building that’s mostly used as an educational outdoor centre for school kids. So, your visit may simply involve admiring the impressive exterior of the heritage-listed building.
Where to Eat in Clapham, Yorkshire: Refreshments
After exploring nearby natural attractions and sites in the village, we’re sure you’ll be ready for some refreshments! Let’s start by looking at the best pub in Clapham – The New Inn.
11. The New Inn Clapham
Disappointingly, there isn’t much of a selection of Clapham Yorkshire pubs. But, thankfully, there is one awesome pub called The New Inn Clapham. I suppose you don’t need tonnes of pubs when there is already one great pub to visit. Personally, Beck, Lauren (my twin sister) and I loved stopping in at The New Inn for a pint after exploring Clapham.
12. Old Sawmill Cafe
If you’re after a cafe rather than a pub, then head to Old Saw Mill Cafe. Located next to the entrance of the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, the Old Saw Mill Cafe is a delightful cafe, serving delicious food and drinks.
13. Clapham Village Store
Even if you don’t necessarily need supplies, you should still head to the gorgeous Clapham Village Store. Indeed, visiting the store is an experience in its own right as its beautifully decorated. The staff support local suppliers by sourcing products from the region. So, you can expect to buy locally-sourced produce from this charming village store.
How to Get to Clapham in North Yorkshire
Now you know about the best things to do in Clapham, Yorkshire, let’s talk about some logistics. The quickest and easiest way to get to Clapham is to drive there yourself. If you don’t have your own set of wheels, we recommend hiring a car.
Car Hire
If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.
To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.
It’s possible to get to Clapham using public transport, but we don’t recommend it. Depending on where you’re travelling from in the UK, you’ll likely have a time-consuming journey to get there. But, if public transport is your only option, you’ll want to get to Leeds or Lancaster.
From Leeds, you’ll get a train to Settle and then a bus (581 Craven Connection) to Clapham. From Lancaster, you can get a train directly to Clapham Station, which is around 1.9km (1.2 miles) from Clapham village. If trains aren’t in operation, from Lancaster, you’ll need to get a bus to Kirkby Lonsdale and then another bus to Clapham.
We recommend using Google Maps and Trainline to help plan your journey using public transport.
Booking Trains
Trainline is one of the best online platforms for booking trains. By using Trainline, you can easily find the best available prices and times for your journey. We always use Trainline to book our train journeys in the UK and in Europe.
Where to Park in Clapham, Yorkshire
The main car park in Clapham is located here. It’s a Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Car Park so charges apply.
Otherwise, it’s possible to find free street-side parking in Clapham. Personally, we found a spot to park here on Station Road near the Clapham Village Store. Although, Clapham is only a small village. So, most people end up paying for parking in the main car park as street-side parking often fills early in the day, especially on the weekend, during school holidays and during summer.
Where to Stay: The New Inn Clapham
When it comes to accommodation in Clapham, Yorkshire, The New Inn is the obvious choice. Other than being a great pub to visit, The New Inn has stylish rooms and modern facilities. It’s no coincidence that the 18th century country inn is the most popular and highly-rated accommodation option in Clapham.
If The New Inn is booked out, the Swallows Nest Bed and Breakfast Guest House is your next best accommodation option in Clapham. Otherwise, Clapham is located near Ingleton, which is a much larger village. So, if you’re struggling for accommodation in Clapham, it’s probably best to stay in Ingleton.
Other Yorkshire Dales Guides
For more information about the best things to do in the Yorkshire Dales, click the button below. Otherwise, to help you get started, read our 42 Best Yorkshire Dales Walks or 48 Best Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls guides.
Other Villages to See in the Yorkshire Dales
- Grassington: Everything You Need to Know About Grassington
- Hawes: The 16 Best Things To Do In Hawes
- Ingleton: 10 Awesome Things To Do In Ingleton
- Masham: Everything You Need to Know About Masham
- Buckden: The 5 Best Things To Do In Buckden, Yorkshire
- Keld: The 5 Best Things To Do in Keld, North Yorkshire
- Ribblehead: 15 Awesome Things To Do In Ribblehead
Bonus Tips and More Information
- There’s something for everyone: as you can see from the things to do in Clapham, there’s a great mixture of activities. So, whether it’s a romantic getaway with your partner, a fun weekend away with the family or an adventurous trip with your mates, Clapham should have something to keep you entertained.
- The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge: this is one of the most demanding but rewarding walking challenges in the UK. During this walking challenge, you’ll summit Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside, walking approx. 38km (23.5 miles). Despite Ingleborough’s relative closeness to Clapham, you wouldn’t start the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in Clapham. It’s better to start it in Ribbleshead or Horton in Ribblesdale.
- Other caves you should visit in the northwest of England: the nearby Peak District National Park is also home to many incredible caves. Go check out Thor’s Cave, Dove Holes Cave on the Dovedale Walk and Robin Hood’s Cave on Stanage Edge. In terms of show caves in the Peak District, you’ve got the famous Blue John Cavern, Peak Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern (guides coming soon) to explore.
Did you stay at The New Inn in Clapham? If so, please tell us about your experience in the comments below.
Leave a comment