A week in the Yorkshire Dales in May

Situated in the north of England, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who is travelling around the UK. The rolling green hills of the dales meet beautiful rivers in the valleys. Higher up, vast expanses of wild moorland make you truly appreciate how vast the region is. Isolated farm and fields of sheep and lambs make this a beautiful place to visit. Here’s how to spend a week in the Yorkshire Dales in May.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please note that all sales are processed by the linked website, not Rays of Adventure, so you’ll be subject to their privacy policy.

What is the best time of year to visit the Yorkshire Dales?

The Yorkshire Dales can be visited at any time of the year, but my favourite time to visit is in spring, in April or May. It’s lambing season in the UK in the spring, and I just loved watching the lambs playing in the fields with the sheep. If you spend a week in the Yorkshire Dales in May, you’ll get to see so many cute lambs.

The weather in the Yorkshire Dales in spring can be mixed. You can have some beautifully warm, sunny days. But be prepared for some heavy showers or rainy days as well, and possibly cool winds. It’s best to check the weather forecast the day before so you have an idea of what to expect. But the forecast can sometimes be wrong and you can get a rain shower even on a day you thought would be sunny. But rain and cloud in the Yorkshire Dales can be just as beautiful as a sunny day, and it can be magical to see how the views change in different weathers.

If you have a dog and you’re planning to spend a week in the Yorkshire Dales in May, make sure you keep your dog on a short lead whenever you’re near any sheep and lambs. Farmers can be very strict about this rule, and you don’t want your dog to cause any issues for the sheep and lambs.

What other times of year can I visit the Yorkshire Dales?

Yorkshire is a beautiful destination at any time of the year. Although spring is my favourite you can visit at anytime. If you visit in the summer, in July and August, you’re likely to find warmer days and greener views. However, even in the summer there can be heavy rainfall – if you’re going to the Yorkshire Dales you need to be prepared for rain at any time of the year.

The Yorkshire Dales in autumn can be cooler and more rainy, but it can still be a lovely time of year to visit and enjoy the orange autumn colours.

Visiting the Yorkshire Dales in winter can be more challenging, but you can still have an enjoyable trip. Be prepared for rain and often snow, as well as short days with it getting dark around 4pm. Some of the more remote roads might be inaccessible in the winter due to snow and ice, especially if you don’t drive a 4×4. However, snowy peaks in the Yorkshire Dales can be beautiful.

What should I pack for a trip to the Yorkshire Dales?

One of the best things you can take on your trip to the Yorkshire Dales is a walking guide. I’d really recommend this Ordnance Survey guide to walks in the Yorkshire Dales (affiliate). There’s a great variety of walks and plenty of different length walks as well.

Whatever time of year you’re visiting the Yorkshire Dales, be prepared for some rain! Always have a waterproof coat with you, and plenty of layers in case the weather changes. Hiking boots are also essential if you’re planning longer walks across moorland. Here are some of the top things to pack for a week in the Yorkshire Dales in May:

• Hiking boots – preferably waterproof with ankle support so you can walk over rough terrain
• Waterproof coat and trousers – ready for rain showers
• Jumper and fleece – depending on the weather, but it’s best to have a couple of extra layers in case it gets chilly
• Map and compass – if you’re planning to do some serious walking, it’s best to have a map and compass and some basic navigation knowledge
• Walking guide – there are many books with suggested walks in the Yorkshire Dales
• Camera – for taking lots of photos of the views and sheep
• Binoculars – if you’re keen on birdwatching and want to identify some of the birds you see
• Water bottle and picnic – make sure you have plenty of water for your day, and taking a picnic lunch means you can do full-day hikes
• Backpack – to carry everything you need for a day out
• Books and DVDs – ready for a rainy day or an evening relaxing after a long walk
• Sunglasses, sun cream and sun hat – don’t underestimate the strength of the sun, even on a day that’s a bit cloudy
• Basic first aid kit – especially if you’re planning to be hiking in remote areas

Where to stay in the Yorkshire Dales

Staying in a self-catering cottage up in the hills can really give you a taste of the real Yorkshire life. I love being far away from any other people with stunning views just outside my window. I’ve stayed at some lovely places with sheep just outside and loads of birds, rabbits and other wildlife that you can see from your cottage. Self-catering and cooking your own food can be a lot cheaper than having to go to a restaurant every evening, so if you’re trying to save money then think about self-catering. Just remember that you’ll need a car to be able to access any of the more remote places, and note that many of the more rural cottages won’t have any phone signal.

If you don’t fancy being isolated, there are plenty of options to stay in one of the villages in the Yorkshire Dales. Most villages have some self-catering cottages, or you can stay at a hotel or B&B and visit the local pub for dinner. if you’re visiting the Yorkshire Dales in winter, then it’s probably better to stay in a village as the more remote roads can be very icy or blocked with snow and inaccessible unless you have a 4×4 and good winter driving skills.

My favourite areas of the Yorkshire Dales are towards the North of the National Park, in Swaledale and Wensleydale. These two dales have a great variety of walks next to rivers or across more barren moorland, and some beautiful villages as well.

What things are there to do in the Yorkshire Dales?

There are so many ways to spend a week in the Yorkshire Dales in May. The scenery is just so beautiful you won’t get bored! Here are some ideas of what you can do.

Hiking and walking

One of the best ways to see the beautiful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales is by hiking and walking. There are loads of well marked footpaths, including the Penine Way, a long distance footpath that takes you through the Yorkshire Dales. You can choose to take a short, easy walk through sheep fields, along a river, or to visit a waterfall. Or if you’re feeling more energetic, you can do longer hikes up hills and across moorland. Just make sure you’ve got all the right equipment if you’re planning a longer hike – things like walking boots, a waterproof coat, water, and a map.

Explore villages, tea rooms and pubs

The villages in the Yorkshire Dales are beautiful as well. The dark stone buildings set against the gorgeous hills in the background are really photogenic. Most villages have a few shops and also a tea room where you can stop for a traditional British afternoon tea. Or visit one of the old local pubs for some great beer and home-cooked British food.

Waterfalls and rivers

The Yorkshire Dales has some great rivers that run along the bottom of the dales. Most have footpaths nearby so you can take a fairly easy and relatively flat walk along the river. There are also some famous waterfalls to visit as well. My favourite waterfalls are Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force – both are very different but equally impressive. Aysgarth Falls has huge amounts of water gushing over, and you can find out more about it here. Hardraw Force is the highest single drop waterfall in England and definitely worth a visit as well.

Birdwatching and wildlife in the Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales is a great place to visit for wildlife watching and birdwatching. Up on the moorland, you can see lots of rabbits and enjoy watching them run across the hills. In the spring, numerous ground-nesting birds visit the Yorkshire Dales as well. Keep an eye out for Lapwings, Curlews and Oystercatchers. And in the trees, you can see woodpeckers, goldfinches and other smaller birds. Swallows and swifts visit in the summer as well, and if you’re lucky you might hear a cuckoo in the trees. It really is a bird-watchers’ paradise.

If you’re looking for some walks in Swaledale and Wensleydale, check out my guide to the top six walks in Swaledale and Wensleydale. And remember to check out this walking guide to the Yorkshire Dales as well (affiliate).

Enjoy your week in the Yorkshire Dales in May! If you’re looking for some other places in the UK to explore, check out my guide to the top 10 places for a UK holiday. Why not head to Cardigan Bay, Wales for some coastal walks, or head south and explore the beautiful Cotswolds.