Yorkshire Dales in Winter: A Local’s Guide (2026–27)
The Yorkshire Dales in winter are darker and colder than in summer, and a very different trip. I live near Leyburn in Wensleydale, and my honest summary is this: the roads in the small villages get icy, and the pubs get cosier the colder it gets. Our local has a fire going in two rooms, and on a winter evening it’s great.
This guide covers what a Dales winter is really like, what closes and what stays open in 2026–27, the best things to do, and how to drive safely.
The Dales in Winter: Quick Facts
- Roads: expect ice in the small villages and on high passes like Buttertubs.
- Closed for winter: Bolton Castle (2 November 2026 to 5 March 2027) and the Swaledale Museum (open June to September).
- Christmas markets: Grassington on 28 November and 5 December 2026.
- Dark skies: the Dales is an International Dark Sky Reserve, with a stargazing festival, usually in February.
Opening times and dates last checked October 2026.
What Winter in the Yorkshire Dales Is Really Like
Living here, the first thing I’d tell you is to take the roads seriously: the roads in the small villages get icy, and the high passes between the dales can be treacherous in ice and snow. The second thing: the days are short, so plan your sightseeing for the middle of the day and save the evening for the pub.
The good news is the pubs. The colder it gets, the cosier they are. Our local has a fire on in two rooms, and it’s great. My favourite pub in the Dales, the Green Dragon at Hardraw, is worth the drive too.
Best Things to Do in the Yorkshire Dales in Winter
1. Settle into a Pub by the Fire
The colder it gets, the cosier the pubs get. Pick a village pub with a fire, order something warm, and stay a while. If you’d rather not drive afterwards, stay somewhere with log fires of its own: Simonstone Hall near Hawes is a country house hotel with log fires and views over Wensleydale (researched, not stayed in). Check availability.
2. See the Waterfalls After Rain
The Dales waterfalls are at their best after heavy rain. Aysgarth Falls, my favourite (especially the Lower Falls), is an easy walk from the car park, and Hardraw Force is right behind the Green Dragon, so you can warm up afterwards. In winter, the Aysgarth National Park Centre keeps shorter hours, and paths can be muddy or icy. More in my guide to the Yorkshire Dales waterfalls.
3. Go to a Dales Christmas Market
Grassington, in Wharfedale, holds its Christmas markets in the Square on Saturday 28 November and Saturday 5 December 2026. If you want something bigger, the York Christmas Market runs from 12 November to 21 December 2026 (closed on Tuesdays).
4. Ride the Polar Express in Wensleydale
The Wensleydale Railway, a heritage line with a station in Leyburn, runs THE POLAR EXPRESS train rides in November and December. Book ahead on the railway’s website.
5. Stargaze
Long, dark nights are a bonus here. The Yorkshire Dales became an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2020, and the Dark Skies Festival, run with the North York Moors, usually takes place in February (in 2026 it ran from 13 February to 1 March), with guided stargazing walks and events for all ages. Check the festival website for 2027 dates.
6. Take a Short, Low-Level Walk
In winter, shorter walks on good paths are the safer choice. From Leyburn, walk out to the Shawl for views over Wensleydale, or follow the circular route to the little waterfall at Harmby. At Aysgarth, the paths between the falls are easy. Wear boots with good grip.
7. Visit the Wensleydale Creamery
On a cold, wet day, the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes is a good place to be indoors, with a cheese experience, a cheese shop and places to eat. The Dales Countryside Museum is in Hawes too. Check both for winter opening hours before you go.
What’s Open and What’s Closed in Winter
| Place | Winter 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Bolton Castle | Closed 2 November 2026 to 5 March 2027 |
| Swaledale Museum, Reeth | Open June to September only |
| Wensleydale Railway | Polar Express rides in November and December; check the website for other running days |
| Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre | Shorter winter hours |
| Middleham Castle (English Heritage) | Check opening days on English Heritage’s website |
| Ingleton Waterfalls Trail | Open daily from 9am except Christmas Day; last entry 2.30pm from November to February |
| Summer Sunday DalesBus services | Ended 18 October 2026 |
The falls, the villages and the pubs are all there year-round. Sundays are quiet at any time of year, with many shops and cafés open short hours, if at all.
Driving in the Yorkshire Dales in Winter
- Expect icy roads in the small villages. Slow down on village lanes, especially in the morning and after dark.
- Check before crossing the high passes. Roads like Buttertubs, between Wensleydale and Swaledale, can be treacherous in ice and snow. If in doubt, take the long way round.
- Don’t rely on your phone. Signal is terrible in much of the Dales. Download offline maps and tell someone your plans if you’re heading somewhere remote.
- Start early. The days are short, so plan to be back before dark.
- Hiring a car? Compare car hire on Booking.com, and ask about winter tyres if you’re coming in a cold spell.
Not keen on driving in winter? A full-day Yorkshire Dales tour from York leaves the roads to someone else.
Where to Stay in the Dales in Winter
In winter, I’d stay in a town with shops and pubs within walking distance, so you’re not driving icy lanes after dark. Leyburn is my pick: see places to stay in Leyburn. Hawes and Reeth work well too. For more options, read my guide to where to stay in the Yorkshire Dales, and for a day-by-day plan, my Yorkshire Dales itinerary (skip Bolton Castle in winter).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Yorkshire Dales worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you like quiet places, waterfalls after rain and a pub by the fire. Just be prepared for icy roads in the villages, short days and some attractions being closed.
Does it snow in the Yorkshire Dales?
It can, especially on the high ground, and high passes like Buttertubs can be treacherous in snow and ice. Even without snow, the roads in the small villages get icy.
What closes in the Yorkshire Dales in winter?
In 2026–27, Bolton Castle is closed from 2 November to 5 March, the Swaledale Museum is only open from June to September, and the Wensleydale Railway runs Polar Express rides in November and December. Other attractions cut their hours, so check before you go.
What is there to do in the Yorkshire Dales at Christmas?
Grassington’s Christmas markets (28 November and 5 December 2026), the Polar Express on the Wensleydale Railway, and a pub by the fire. York’s Christmas market is also within reach: see my guide to York in winter.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
- Choose your villages with my guide to the Yorkshire Dales villages.
- Basing yourself in a city? See my day trips from York and day trips from Harrogate.
- Start with my Yorkshire Dales guide and Plan your Yorkshire trip.
