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Grassington: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting

Grassington: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting

Grassington is easily one of the most charming villages in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The small market town is an absolute pleasure to visit. Whether you’re after nice walks, traditional pubs, lovely cafes or just general vibes of a picture-perfect village, Grassington should be on your to-do list. In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting Grassington village. Other than talking about what to do, we’ll discuss where to stay, including hotel and camping options – essentially, we’ll list the best hotels and campsites in and around Grassington.

A Brief History About Grassington

There’s evidence that the Grassington area was occupied in the Bronze Age, dating back to 2000BC. Whilst there’s also evidence of Roman settlement around 50AD. In more recent history, the village received its municipal charter, in 1282, which was a legal document making it an official village.

Since then, it’s been well-known for its markets and fairs, taking place around the cobbled market square. The area was also known for its lead mining, particularly in the 18th century. You can learn more about the town’s lead mining history by doing this lead mining trail.

Read our guides about Malham Cove, Simon’s Seat and Coninstone Pie and Dib

Grassington – a great place for walks, with plenty of pubs and camping (campsite) options.

Modern Day Grassington

These days, Grassington is a popular tourist destination. Indeed, the village is famous because of its timeless quality and gorgeous narrow cobbled streets. When it comes to historical villages in the Yorkshire Dales, and, even in the northwest of England, it’s hard to beat.

Grassington is bustling with cosy cafes and traditional pubs and is a stellar place for walks in and around the village. Certainly, we highly recommend visiting! You should make a weekend trip or an even longer trip to this enchanting destination. With that said, we’ll talk about the best hotel and camping options in Grassington, including hotels and campsites in and around the area. But first, where exactly is Grassington?

Grassington – a great place for walks, with plenty of pubs and camping (campsite) options.

Grassington Yorkshire Map

Set on the peaceful River Wharfe in Upper Wharfedale, Grassington is located in North Yorkshire in the northwest of England. For your reference, you can find the location of Grassington on the map below. Please click on the map to access an interactive map on Google Maps.

A map of Grassington

Attractions in Grassington

There are plenty of things to do in Grassington. Personally, we just simply recommend mooching around and getting lost along the cobbled stone streets. Or, lazing around and chillin’ out in the many independent shops, cafes and pubs in Grassington. But, if you’d like to explore some specific historical places or buildings, we’ve got you covered below.

Grassington Folk Museum

You’ll find the museum in the centre of the village. It’s an interesting museum with exhibits about the village’s history. In particular, the exhibits focus on lead mining, farming and local minerals. There’s also an interesting collection of domestic artefacts such as kitchen equipment and clothing. It’s worth checking out if you’d like to learn more about the village and how people used to live and work back in the day.

Grassington Congregational Church

This church may not have been an attraction that springs to mind. But, it was built in 1811 and is now a Grade II listed building. Not any old building get’s heritage listed. So, it’s definitely worth a look.

Grassington Walks

Of course, this wouldn’t be a proper Travel Made Me Do It guide without talking about walks or hikes. Indeed, Grassington has many brilliant walks, which mainly include exploring attractions near the village. Let’s start with one of the most popular short walks in Grassington – the walk to Linton Falls.

Linton Falls (one of the best Grassington Falls walks), near Grassington and its pubs, campsites and camping grounds

Linton Falls

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 2.5km
  • Time: 1 hour
  • Accumulated elevation gain: minimal
  • Difficulty: Very easy
  • Trailhead: Grassington
  • Map: Google Maps

Located in the neighbouring village of Linton, you’ll find the quaint Linton Falls. The cascade is located very close to Grassington, so it makes for an easy walk from the village. Personally, Beck and I explored Linton Falls as part of the Grassington to Burnsall Walk (see below).

Linton Falls, seen during one of many walks near Grassington
Linton Falls

Grassington Moor Walk (Grassington Lead Mines)

  • Type: Out and Back with Loops
  • Distance: 5.75km
  • Time: 1.5–2 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 105m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: Moor Lane
  • Map: Wikiloc

The Grassington Lead Mining Trail is a fantastic historical trail located in the moorlands, northeast of the village. Along this historical trail, you’ll follow signs and numbered boards to learn more about the lead mining history in the area. Beck and I really enjoyed this quiet and lesser-known trail. Admittedly, it’s a bit far from the village. So, you’d need to drive there, rather than attempting to walk from town.

Dan walks on Grassington Moor
Grassington Moor

Grassington to Burnsall Walk (or the Burnsall to Grassington Walk)

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 11.6km
  • Time: 2.5–4 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 115m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: Grassington or Burnsall
  • Map: Wikiloc

There are many long walks starting in or involving Grassington, which lead to the surrounding areas of Kettlewell, Conistone and Burnsall. Perhaps, one of the most popular options is the walk to Burnsall. Personally, Beck and I started this walk in Burnsall, walking to Linton Falls and Grassington. But, many people start the walk from Grassington. During this walk, you’ll explore both villages and the lovely countryside in between.

Dan walking away Grassington and its pubs and campsites (camping grounds)
Burnsall

Grass Wood Nature Reserve

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 7.9km
  • Time: 2–3 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 230m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: Grassington
  • Map: AllTrails

Another great walking option is the circular option exploring Grass Wood Nature Reserve. Located northwest of the village centre, you’ll experience a peaceful and serene walk through the woodlands.

Of course, after finishing any one of these great Grassington walks, it’s time to check out one of the many pubs in the village.

Grassington Pubs

There are plenty of great pubs in Grassington. To help you decide which of the Grassington pubs to visit, we’ve handpicked the three best spots for a pint.

  • The Devonshire Grassington: located in the heart of the village centre, expect a great atmosphere if you pop in during summer.
  • Foresters Arms Grassington: this pub is located just a stone’s throw away from The Devonshire. It’s not quite as popular, which means a more chilled vibe. If that’s what you’re after.
  • Black Horse Hotel: the quirky Black Horse Hotel is another one of the great pubs in Grassington. Conveniently located in the village centre, it offers a real ale bar.

Grassington Cafes

Similar to pubs in Grassington, there are also many cafes to choose from. Again, we’ve done the hard work for you and chosen three excellent cafes for you to visit.

  • CoffeECO: Beck and I really enjoyed our coffee from this charming cafe.
  • The Corner House Cafe: when it comes to cafes in the village centre, the Corner House Cafe is a popular choice.
  • The Old School Team Room: of course, it’s hard to beat the Old School Team Room. It’s the village’s quintessential tea room. So, expect it to be busy when you visit. Indeed, it’s by no coincidence that it gets crowded. Expect yummy cakes, delicious sandwiches and brilliant tea and coffee.

Accommodation in Grassington

Given the relatively small size of the village, you won’t find loads of places to stay in Grassington. But, that’s not to say there aren’t great Grassington accommodation options. Whether you’re looking for accommodation in the village or a campsite around Grassington, we’ll cover all of the best hotel and camping options below.

Hotels in Grassington

The village has some excellent hotels. Let’s cover all bases by looking at the best budget, mid-range and luxury options.

Grassington Lodge

Room inside Grassington Lodge

Budget: you’ll find very reasonable and affordable private rooms at the Grassington Lodge. Given hotels in the area aren’t cheap, you’ll find this lodge is an absolute bargain. Best of all, with most rooms having an en-suite, a stay here will feel more luxurious than budget.

The Devonshire Grassington

Room inside The Devonshire Grassington

Mid-range: doubling as one of the village’s best pubs, The Devonshire Grassington is also a fine hotel option. Indeed, if you’re looking for a fair-priced hotel stay in the village centre, this is the one.

Grassington House

Room inside Grassington House

Luxury: renowned for its world-class service, this manor house is also a five-star restaurant. Whilst it’s easy enough to have a drink in the bar and you can even request a packed lunch! Certainly, you’ll have a wonderful stay at Grassington House.

Grassington Campsites: The Best Camping Options

If you’re interested in camping, you’ll be happy to know that Grassington has a couple of campsites nearby. Essentially, there are two outstanding camping options in Grassington, so let’s look at those two campsites below.

  • Wharfedale Club Campsite: located in neighbouring Threshfield, Wharfedale Club Campsite is a highly-rated Grassington camping ground. Being part of the reliable and trustworthy Caravan and Motorhome Club is certainly a bonus.
  • Wood Nook Caravan Park and Campsite: also located in nearby Threshfield, Wood Nook Caravan Park is another decent option when it comes to camping near Grassington.

Grassington Events

Even today, Grassington is home to many fine fairs, festivals and markets. Let’s look at the main events that take place in this little charming village.

  • Dickensian Festival: a Victoria-themed Christmas event, which spearheads the festive events in the village.
  • Grassington Festival: a wonderful annual event with an array of music, comedy and arts.
  • Grassington 1940s Weekend: this one is fairly self-explanatory; but, yes, take a walk back in time during this fun weekend festival of 1940s shenanigans.
  • Farmer’s Market: also known as the Grassington market day, it takes place every third Sunday of the month. We’d recommend visiting to experience the best local produce from the Dales.

How to Get to Grassington

The easiest and quickest way to get to Grassington is to drive there yourself. If you don’t have your own set of wheels, we recommend hiring a car.

Car Hire

DiscoverCars.com

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 also possible to use public transport to get there. Check out Dales Buses for the latest information about departure times and prices. We also recommend using Google Maps to help plan your journey.

Booking Trains

Trainline

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.

Personally, we don’t recommend using public transport to get to Grassington as you’ll likely have a long-winded journey to get there from most places in the UK. Certainly, it’s best to drive there yourself. That way, you’ll have more freedom and flexibility with your trip.

Weather in Grassington

For the latest information about the weather in Grassington, click here.

Where to Go Next

So, where are you heading after you’ve explored Grassington to within an inch of its life? Here are a few popular suggestions for places to visit nearby.

Threshfield

The neighbouring Threshfield is an even smaller village. Sure, it’s not as well-known and charming as Grassington; but, it’s worth checking out if you’re in the village-seeking mood. As mentioned, if you’re planning on camping near Grassington, the best two campsites are located nearby in Threshfield.

Hesketh Farm Park

Located near Bolton Abbey, Hesketh Farm Park is a working farm, which is a family favourite. We’re talking farm animal feeding, play areas and a straw maze!

Kilnsey Park, Skipton

Just north of Conistone, you’ll find Kilnsey Park and Trout Farm. It’s an underrated natural haven that’s well-known for fishing, pony rides and nature trails with red squirrels and butterflies aplenty. You’ll also find a relaxing cafe and shop.

Skipton Castle

Skipton is one of the most visited villages in North Yorkshire that’s not too far away from Grassington. If you’re looking for things to do in Skipton, then you have to visit the famous medieval Skipton Castle! In terms of things to do near Skipton, consider heading to Bolton Abbey, Bolton Abbey Waterfall, The Strid or Embsay Reservoir.

Raven Tree Top Adventure

Looking for something with a bit more oomph and adrenaline involved? Then why not visit the Raven Tree Top Adventure? It’s located just outside of Skipton, so it could make for a great visit, with the kids, after visiting Skipton Castle.

Nearby Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Below, we’ve listed some of the other best places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

FAQs

Below, you’ll find the most frequently asked questions about Grassington.

Dan stands on a bridge in Linton
Linton

Where Is Grassington?

It’s located in Upper Wharfedale, in North Yorkshire, in the northwest of England.

Is Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales?

Yes, it’s located in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park.

How Far Is Grassington From Skipton?

Grassington is around 16km (10 miles) north of Skipton.

Is Grassington Worth Visiting?

A resounding yes, for all of the reasons above!

What to Wear on Grassington Walks

These are our hiking gear essentials for walks around Grassington.

Osprey Skarab 30
Osprey Skarab 30

The Osprey Skarab 30 is our go-to hiking backpack for day hikes. This well-designed unisex backpack is comfortable and spacious, so you’ll have plenty of space to pack everything without feeling the strain on your upper back.

Osprey Ultralight Raincover
Osprey Ultralight Raincover

A waterproof backpack cover is an absolute must when you’re adventuring outdoors. The Osprey Ultralight Raincover Medium is a high-quality waterproof cover that’ll keep your backpack bone dry.

GRAYL Reusable Water Bottle
GRAYL Reusable Water Bottle

The GRAYL GeoPress is the best water filter bottle that allows you to purify 710mL (12 ounces) of water. This bottle will make water safe to drink wherever you’re hiking.

BUFF Original Ecostretch
BUFF Original Ecostretch

The BUFF Original Ecostretch is a great option when it comes to multifunctional headwear. We use the Ecostretch as a neck gaiter to keep the sun off our necks and it helps us keep warm in cooler climates.

Sony Cybershot RX100 VII
Sony Cybershot RX100 VII

Capture epic photos and videos with the Sony Cybershot RX100 VII. This is hands-down the best compact camera. We love using this simple point-and-shoot camera when we’re hiking as it’s lightweight and durable.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

Other Yorkshire Dales Guides

Hardraw Force

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

Bonus Tips

  • Grassington upcoming events: click here to keep up to date with all of the latest events.
  • Grassington shops: whether it’s a book shop or gift store, or you’re after local produce, the shops in Grassington are quaint and worth a look. Buying locally is also a great way to support the Grassington community.
  • Masham Tourist Information Centre: pop into to visitor centre at Masham, which is a town known as the Gateway to the Dales, if you’d like to find out more information.
  • All Creatures Great and Small: Grassington is the home of the fictional market town of Darrowby in All Creatures Great and Small – a television series released in 2020 that was set in 1937. Nearby in Askrigg, you can stay at the Skeldale House ‘All Creatures Great & Small’ by Maison Parfaite, which was the veterinary surgery in the original series.
  • Explore other nearby national parks: don’t just stop at the Yorkshire Dales in the northwest of England. Head to the beautiful Lake District (guides coming soon), North York Moors, Peak District and Northumberland National Parks.

If you have any questions, especially about camping or campsites in Grassington, feel free to leave us a comment below.

Daniel Piggott

Dan is a travel blogger, physiotherapist, hiker, natural wonder seeker and world traveller. He loves writing travel guides to help his readers explore the most beautiful destinations in the world.

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