Yorkshire Dales Day Trip: Bolton Castle & Aysgarth Falls

See four villages and two landmarks in one morning and afternoon from the Lake District

A full-day tour from Windermere explores the Yorkshire Dales National Park in a small mini-coach with live English commentary and a multilingual audio guide, stopping at the market town of Sedbergh, Bolton Castle (where Mary Queen of Scots was held), Aysgarth Falls, and the village of Hawes with its famous Wensleydale Creamery. The eight-hour itinerary includes transport, on-board commentary, and designated stops for lunch and facilities. Children must be at least five years old, and minimal walking is involved.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Yorkshire Dales from Windermere

• Stop at Sedbergh for coffee
• Visit Bolton Castle
• See Aysgarth Falls
• Visit Hawes and Wensleydale Creamery

The Experience

The tour leaves Windermere and heads into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, starting in Sedbergh, a market town where you can grab a coffee before the day proper begins. From there, the route moves through the limestone valleys and emerald countryside that inspired the author James Herriot, hitting the locations where the television series was filmed. You travel in a small mini-coach with other passengers, so the group stays manageable and the vehicle can navigate the narrower Dales roads.

Bolton Castle is the centerpiece stop: a 14th-century fortress standing in the glorious Dales landscape where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned briefly in 1568. James Herriot, the vet and writer, proposed to his wife here, and the castle sits at the heart of the stories the day is built around. After Bolton, you stop at Aysgarth Falls, which appeared in the film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. The falls are famous enough that the operator names them as a draw in their own right, not just a passing view from the coach.

Hawes is the final village stop, and it's where the Wensleydale Creamery sits. You have a chance to visit and sample the cheese the region is known for. There's a designated lunch stop somewhere on the route where you can buy food, and toilet stops are built in. The whole day runs eight hours from start to finish. You'll have access to a multilingual audio guide on the Mountain Goat App (download it before you arrive, since there's no wifi on the coach), and a live guide provides commentary in English throughout.

What’s included

• Transport in a small mini-coach.
• on-board commentary in English.
• multilingual audio guide via the Mountain Goat App.
• designated lunch stop and toilet breaks on route.
• access to Bolton Castle, Aysgarth Falls, and the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Mountain Goat Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're based in the Lake District and want a guided day trip with set stops. You'll travel with other guests and return to Windermere by evening without needing your own transport.

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Top questions

What is Bolton Castle and why does it matter on this tour?

Bolton Castle is a 14th-century fortress in the Yorkshire Dales where Mary Queen of Scots was held in 1568. The author James Herriot, who wrote the stories the tour is built around, proposed to his wife there, so it's central to both the history and the literary connection the day explores.

How much walking is involved on the Yorkshire Dales tour?

Minimal walking is involved. You travel by small mini-coach between stops and spend most of the day either on the coach or standing at viewpoints and attractions, so the tour suits a range of fitness levels.

Can I buy lunch during the tour, or do I need to bring my own food?

There's a designated lunch stop on the route where you can purchase food. You're not required to bring your own, though you're welcome to if you prefer.

What's included in the tour price?

Transport in the small mini-coach, on-board commentary in English, and access to the multilingual audio guide via the Mountain Goat App are all included. Entry to Bolton Castle and the Wensleydale Creamery are not included in the tour price.

Do I need to download anything before the tour starts?

Yes, if you want to use the multilingual audio guide, download the Mountain Goat App before you arrive. The coach has no wifi, and you'll need to bring your own headphones to listen to it.

What happens if I arrive late to the pickup point?

The tour cannot wait for late arrivals. If you miss the start time, the full cancellation policy applies and no refund or alternative arrangement is offered, so arriving on time at your chosen pickup location is essential.