Aysgarth village is a sleepy little roadside settlement along the A684 up Wensleydale. It's worth stopping here or its pub and tea rooms and the remarkable garden, the Aysgarth Rockery. This was saved from destruction by the National Park Authority who designated as a rather unusual Listed Building in 1988.
Aysgarth Falls
A mile or so east of the main village lie the famous Aysgarth Falls, a beauty spot that has been on the tourist trail for over three hundred years. Here, the River Ure hurls itself over three massive rocky steps, the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. Running alongside them is Freeholders' Wood, an ancient coppiced woodland. This local nature reserve has easy trails laid out for visitors. A few years ago dormice were introduced into the wood and these delightful little creatures are now thriving here.
Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre can be found in our main car park and houses a fascinating exhibition about the geology of the falls and don't miss the café next door celebrated for its delicious home-made cakes.
Walks to whet the appetite
There are lots of beautiful walks through the woods to Carperby, West Burton and Castle Bolton and along the riverside to Askrigg and Bainbridge. Visitors who have worked up an appetite have a good choice of places to eat close by. There are tea rooms, a café and, up on the main road, the Aysgarth Falls Hotel, which until recently had the unusual name of Palmer Flatt Hotel.
