Hawes
Population: Est. Lots...90% are tourists on a fine day
Information Site: Click
Here
Grid Ref: SD8789
Distance: 22 miles drive from Grassington
Directions: Leave on the A6069 going West. Turn right on the
A629. Left on the A65, then right onto the B6479, and right
again onto the B6255
Car Parking: One large payable park.
Facilities: Lots of shops. Toilets. Kids play area.
Nearby Interest: Waterfall and the Rope and Cheese Factory
Church: St Margaret's
Hawes is situated in Upper Wensleydale on the river Ure,
and is the main centre in the northern part of the Yorkshire
Dales National Park.
Wensleydale is a wider dale than the neighbours of Swaledale
and Wharfdale. The scenery is less dramatic but pleasant and
open. This area of the dales is traditionally sheep country
and the Swaledale with its black face and grey nose is the
most common sheep in the dales.
Several organisations still survive in Hawes after many years.
The Hawes and Abbotside Angling Association began to regularise
fishing and issue licences from 1844 and is still in business.
They issue licences to increasing numbers of visitors.
Hawes Brass Band was formed around 1865 and the famous Brass
Band Contest at Hardraw Scar was first held in 1881. The band
and the contest continue to flourish today.
The famous Wensleydale cheese is made locally at the dairy
which is owned by the Milk Marketing Board. The dairy is the
largest single employer of labour in the upper dale. The rope
works started during the 19th century and the business has
been extended and taken on extra workers.
The award winning Dales Countryside Museum is just on the
other side of the main car park. Other nearby attractions
include, Hardraw Falls, boasting the longest single drop in
the country, a Glassblower, a Woodturner and numerous shops,
restaurants and pubs. And the chip shop is a magnet for bikers
in the summer weekends.
The natural beauty and character of the area attracts many
visitors and tourism has become a main industry in the town.
If you can stretch to a visit, it is worth your while.
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