Enjoying a mug of tea or cup of coffee together with a bite to eat is regarded by many people as an essential part of any trip to the Yorkshire Dales. Whether that is a small village café set in an historic house or a modern coffee shop in one of the market towns or somewhere for the adults to have a drink while the kids can have a run around – you can find it all here.
Grassington & Wharfedale
The pretty cobbled square at Grassington is a lovely place to enjoy a cafe break and there are plenty to choose from: there is Cafe Eco, Café Maison, Cobblestone Café, and the Retreat Café for a vegetarian treat. Further up the valley there is the cafe at Kilnsey Park in a great setting by the fishing lakes and then you reach Kettlewell where you can search out Zarina's with its lovely walled garden. At the top end of the valley you reach Buckden where Westwinds Yorkshire Tearooms is a bit of an institution.
Also worth building into a trip is The Old School Tea Room at Hebden which can be combined with a walk to the river or up Hebden Gill. And not forgetting the great cafes down at Bolton Abbey which include the Cavendish Pavilion right down by the riverside.
Sedbergh & Dent
There are plenty of offerings in Sedbergh which nestled under the Howgills. The Three Hares produces its own bread and cakes as well as great bistro meals. Also on the main street you will find Smatt's Duo and the Sedbergh Cafe. Just outside Sedbergh you can visit Farfield Mill with the excellent Weaver's Cafe. The cobbled main street in Dent has the Meadowside Café and Stone Close Tea Shop on hand to provide refreshment.
Westmorland Dales
In Orton you will find the Orton Scar Café and the Coffee House at Kennedy's Chocolate Shop. Travelling towards Kirkby Stephen you will find Lune Springs Garden Centre and café. In Kirkby Stephen itself you will find a wide choice of cafes and places to eat.
The Lune Valley
In Kirkby Lonsdale you will find plenty of options for a café stop. Just outside the town by Devils Bridge is the very popular tea wagon where you can pick up a brew and watch the river go by. Hidden away in Barbon is the delightful Churchmouse store and café.
Wensleydale
The market town of Hawes in Wensleydale has plenty of places to have a coffee and cake break. There is Cafe Curva and Herriots Kitchen in town, and attched to the Dales Countryside Museum is The Firebox Café.
At Aysgarth Falls you will find the Mill Race Teashop and Coppice Café which is attached to the National Park Centre.
Swaledale
The main village of Swaledale is Reeth where you will find the Copper Kettle and just outside the village is the cafe attached to the Dales Bike Centre - you don't have to cycle to go there! Further up the valley you reach Muker where the Muker Village Stores provides a welcome break.
Malham and area
In Malham itself there is the Old Barn cafe close to the National Park Centre, or on the road up from Gargave is Town End Farm Shop at Airton. In Gargrave is the Dalesman Café which has long been a favorite with cyclists.
The Three Peaks area
The towns on the edge of the Three Peaks area have some well known cafe stops. In Ingleton you will find Inglesports Cafe above the outdoors shop and next door is Bernie's. At Settle right by the market square is Ye Olde Naked Man Café. At Clapham is the Clapham Cafe, Bunk and Bar - everything rolled into one. Hidden away at Feizor is Elaine's tea rooms at Home farm which is the perfect break on a walk or cycle around the lanes. And right in the heart of the Three Peaks area is the Pen Y Ghent Café in Horton in Ribblesdale.
