The Ultimate Yorkshire Road Trip: From the Dales to the Moors

Yorkshire provides caravan owners with the chance of a breathtaking journey. It’s a region rich in natural beauty, historic charm and vibrant culture – and once you’ve chosen your new or used caravan from Wandahome you’re ready to enjoy the ultimate road trip Yorkshire offers. In this edition of our blog, we’ll take you from the picturesque Dales to the rugged Moors, offering an unforgettable adventure across some of England's finest landscapes.

1. Skipton

You could start anywhere, of course, but we’re suggesting Skipton as it’s often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’. This charming market town is almost atypical of Yorkshire – it has loads of history and is surrounded by beautiful scenery. The highlight is its medieval castle, one of the best-preserved in England, which gives a fascinating glimpse into the past with its well-preserved rooms and impressive grounds.

After exploring the castle, a leisurely stroll along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is recommended. The towpath offers a peaceful walk with lovely narrowboats and charming waterside buildings. Skipton also hosts a market four days a week, bustling with local produce and unique crafts. Skipton is the perfect start to your Yorkshire road trip.

2. Malham

Next up, drive north from Skipton to Malham, a small village well known for its dramatic limestone scenery. Malham Cove, a towering formation with a curved amphitheatre cliff face, is a real must-see. It offers a challenging yet rewarding hike for serious outdoorsy types, and if you make it to the top you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Close by is Gordale Scar, featuring a dramatic gorge with a waterfall, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts and landscape photographers alike. Malham Tarn, a glacial lake surrounded by a nature reserve, offers a gentler stroll and is perfect for birdwatching. Malham’s unique geological features and serenity make it an essential stop.

Stay at: Although there are other campsites dotted around, a great choice for caravanners is Orcaber Farm. A pleasant half-hour drive to (or from) Malham, this site features grass and hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up – or a limited number of ‘super hardstanding’ which are equipped with electric, freshwater tap, TV hook-up and grey waste disposal

3. Grassington

Head next to Grassington, a village that exudes Yorkshire character with stone cottages, narrow streets and a lively village square. The Grassington Folk Museum offers a charming and well-curated look into local history and culture. Outdoor enthusiasts will get good value from the numerous walking trails around the village - including the Dales Way, which offers stunning views of the River Wharfe and the rolling dales. A traditional Yorkshire tea in one of the cosy cafes in Grassington is the perfect way to round off your visit.

Stay at: Howgill Lodge is a great campsite with its own coffee shop, near Grassington and just a few miles outside Skipton. There’s also electric hook-up, a shower block, a coin operated washing machine and dryer, plus a picnic table at each pitch, and plenty of space for kids to play. Perfect if you’re looking for somewhere to unhitch for a night (or longer).

4. Hawes

Continue your Yorkshire road trip to Hawes, located in the heart of Wensleydale. This charming market town is particularly famous for its Wensleydale cheese (“cracking cheese, Gromit!”), and so a visit to the Wensleydale Creamery is a must. Learn about the cheese-making process, sample a variety of delicious cheeses, and – most importantly – take some back to your caravan! Hawes is also home to the Dales Countryside Museum, where fascinating insights into the rich heritage and traditions of the Yorkshire Dales are on offer, showcased by everything from traditional crafts to local history. There is also plenty available for lovers of the great outdoors, including the spectacular Hardraw Force, England’s highest single-drop waterfall, located a short walking distance from Hawes.

Stay at: The Street Head Caravan Park in Newbiggin, a 20 minute drive from Hawes, is a great spot to unhitch. There’s electric hook-up, plus showers, toilets and waste disposal facilities. This is also a great spot to use as a base for our next destination, Aysgarth Falls.

5. Aysgarth Falls

Just short drive from Hawes, Aysgarth Falls is a stunning series of waterfalls on the River Ure. Renowned for their beauty, they’ve been featured in various films and TV shows, including the Kevin Costner movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Visitors of a certain age will probably find themselves humming Bryan Adams while you’re here! Aysgarth Falls is divided into three sections: Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls, each of which offers its own unique charm. Walking paths that are really well-maintained mean you can easily explore the falls and the visitor centre provides plenty of information about the natural history and wildlife in the area.

6. Richmond

Driving east from Aysgarth Falls you’ll arrive in Richmond, a historic market town with great heritage. Richmond Castle, overlooking the River Swale, is one of the finest attractions in Yorkshire. It dates back to the 11th century, has impressive views from the battlements and offers a fascinating look into medieval history. Richmond is also home to The Georgian Theatre Royal, one of the oldest working theatres in Britain, which stages a variety of performances throughout the year. Richmond also offers a range of shops and places to eat and drink, providing a perfect blend of history, culture and modern essentials!

Stay at: Thorpe Farm Centre sits on the County Durham and North Yorkshire border, just minutes from Barnard Castle, Richmond and more. There are plenty of hardstanding pitches with optional electric hook-ups for tourers, plus a shop, park, cafe, laundry, showers and toilets to keep every visitor happy and well-catered for.

7. Thirsk

Next on our tour is Thirsk, a small market town always associated with vet and author James Herriot, whose work spawned the iconic 1970s TV series All Creatures Great And Small. Here in Thirsk, the World Of James Herriot is a must-see award-winning museum which provides a fascinating look into the life and work of this much loved author. Charmingly, the museum is located in the original veterinary surgery where Herriot practiced, so it gives a truly authentic glimpse into his world. The nearby Thirsk Museum offers insights into the town’s past, including displays on various local industries and notable residents (including Thomas Lord, founder of the legendary Lord’s in London, known globally as ‘the home of cricket’).

Just outside Thirsk is the Kilburn White Horse, a hill figure cut into the chalk hillside near Kilburn. It’s 318 feet long by 220 ft high – huge! - and covers about 1.6 acres. It’s thought to be the most northerly chalk hill figure in England, and it’s a great spot.

Stay at: Hillside Caravan Park in Knayton offers a great base from which to explore Thirsk and surrounding area. It’s a nine-acre award-winning park which includes 35 hardstanding super pitches featuring electric and water hook-up, TV aerial connection, low level lit bollard and grey water drainage – and some great views!

8. Helmsley

From Thirsk, head to Helmsley. This picturesque market town is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Moors’, and is well known known for its historic 12^th-century castle. The ruins provide a fascinating glimpse into medieval life and are sited amidst stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The green-fingered will love a visit to the beautiful Helmsley Walled Garden, a restored Victorian garden that offers a tranquil retreat with vibrant flowers and vegetable plots.

Stay at: In Pickering, the Gateway to the Moors Caravan Park offers easy proximity to Helmsely plus a picturesque site which includes hardstandings with optional electric.

9. Rievaulx Abbey

One of the most impressive monastic ruins in England is just a short drive from Helmsley. Rievaulx Abbey, founded in 1132, was once a thriving Cistercian monastery set in a tranquil valley. You can wander through the remains of the abbey’s church, cloisters and living quarters, and learn about the abbey’s history and its role in medieval society at the visitor centre. Rievaulx Terrace, the 18^th-century landscaped gardens located nearby, offer stunning views of the abbey and the surrounding countryside.

10. Whitby

Take a road trip from Rievaulx to Whitby, the coastal town known for dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, maritime heritage, the gemstone jet and a connection to the legend of Dracula. Whitby’s ruined abbey inspired Bram Stoker’s iconic novel and character, and offers breathtaking views over the town and the North Sea. For a touch of adventure, climb the 199 steps to St. Mary’s Church and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline, and visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum to learn about the famous explorer’s connections to Whitby.

Stay at: Bay Ness Farm is a family-run campsite with incredible views of Robin Hood's Bay and the coast, along with easy 15-minute access to Whitby. Facilities include showers and toilets.

11. Robin Hood's Bay

A short drive south of Whitby, Robin Hood's Bay is a picturesque fishing village with a rich history of smuggling! Narrow, winding streets and quirky cottages create a sense of stepping back in time, and the Robin Hood’s Bay Museum offers insights into the village’s history, including its illicit past and maritime heritage. Whether you’re interested in history, nature or simply enjoying a quaint seaside village atmosphere, Robin Hood's Bay is the perfect addition to this Yorkshire trip. Legendary folk singer Martin Carthy and his musician daughter Eliza have long resided in the village, and her Dreams Of Breathing Underwater album was heavily inspired by it.

12. Scarborough

We mentioned Martin Carthy in the previous section for a reason. In addition to his own enduring status as one of England’s most important folk music figures, in the 1960s a young, broke American poet-musician befriended and lodged with him while on tour - and Carthy taught him a traditional folk song he knew about Scarborough. That musician was Paul Simon and the rest is history...

Scarborough, one of Britain’s oldest seaside resorts, offers a rich mix of traditional charm and modern attractions. Sandy beaches at South Bay and North Bay are perfect for a day of family fun, while the castle perches on a headland and offers sweeping views of the coastline. The castle is a site with a 3,000-year rich history worth exploring. Scarborough is certainly special.

Stay at: A mere 5 miles from the town, Lebberston Caravan Park offers great access to Scarborough plus all of the facilities that caravan travellers require. Electric hook-ups, three heated toilet and shower blocks, a laundry, an onsite shop - and a large, grassed area with football goal posts!

13. York

Finish up your ultimate Yorkshire caravan road trip in York, the county’s ‘capital’. This is a city deeply rich in history and culture, and it is impossible to condense what is has to offer into a mere two short paragraphs. York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, the Shambles is a higgledy-piggledy medieval street lined with timber-framed buildings and unique shops, the Jorvik Centre offers an immersive experience into the city’s incredible Viking heritage and the National Railway Museum showcases York’s vitally important role in England’s railway history – including the stunning Mallard. All of that is just for starters, and to get the very best from York you’ll need to spend two or three days exploring everything it has to offer, as well as soaking in its particularly nice vibe.

Stay at: Perhaps the most unique of our campsite tips, The Boatyard enjoys an ideal waterside setting by the River Ouse, just ten minutes from York. You can even hire a boat! Each caravan pitch has its own water supply and electric hook-up, and there are also a laundry, showers, toilets and cafe. An idyllic spot!

This has been quite the caravan trip around Yorkshire - from the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales to the dramatic coastline of the North York Moors, and right into the heart of the county in its main city. What a diverse and unforgettable journey Yorkshire offers, with each stop providing something unique - natural beauty, historical significance or just good old local charm. Choose your caravan from Wandahome and head off into ‘God’s own county’!