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Yorkshire: Dales to the Moors: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 5-day version for June: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go.
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5
days
270 km
distance
12.2 h
driving
32
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~16.9 hours of daylight in June — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Wildflower hay meadows around Hawes peak in June, the moors turn purple with heather in late August, and the sea fret lifts off Whitby by mid-morning.
Day 1 York → Harrogate
- Transit
- 3h00
- Finish
- ~17:15
- Temperature
- 9.6°C–18.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~11
- Daylight
- 16.8h
09:00
Marvel at the towering Gothic architecture and intricate stained glass windows.
50 min · York · Adult £11.50, senior £10.50, student with ID £9, child under 17 free. Access to Minster, museum and guided tour included; £5 extra for tower. Worship, park and …
open: Minster visits: M-Sa 9AM-4:30PM, Su 12:30PM-3PM; Museum: M-Sa 10AM-4:30PM, Su 1PM-3:15PM; Worship: 4 or more services daily 7:30AM-6PM
10:00
Explore the ruins of a historic castle tower with panoramic city views.
50 min · York · Adult £9.54, child £4.72, concession £8.75, English Heritage members free
open: Daily 10AM-6PM (last entry 5.50PM)
11:00
Witness a stunning collection of locomotives and railway memorabilia from around the world.
50 min · York · Museum and all exhibitions free. Steam rides £4, miniature railway £3, under-2s free. Donations encouraged.
open: Daily Apr-Oct 10AM-6PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-5PM
13:50
Tour a grand 18th-century mansion with exotic gardens.
50 min · Harrogate · Adult £18, child £10
open: April-Sept daily 10:00-18:00
15:20
Indulge in classic British high tea in a famous setting.
50 min · Harrogate
open: Daily 9AM-9PM
16:25
Knaresborough read more
Wander through a picturesque market town on the River Nidd.
50 min · Harrogate
Day 2 Skipton → Malham
- Transit
- 2h33
- Finish
- ~17:20
- Temperature
- 8.8°C–17.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~13
- Daylight
- 16.9h
10:00
Explore one of England's best-preserved medieval castles, defiant against Cromwell.
50 min · Skipton · Adult £12.40, child £8.30, conc £11.40
open: Daily 10AM-5PM
11:15
13:00
Contemplate the ruins of a 12th-century Augustinian Priory amidst beautiful scenery.
50 min · Skipton · £15 per vehicle
open: Daily 9AM-5PM
13:50
Le Bistro des Amis lebistrodesamis.co.uk
Relish excellent food in a relaxed and charming bistro setting.
60 min · Skipton
open: M-Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-6PM
15:25
16:30
Malham Tarn read more
Take in the serene small lake nestled in a glacial depression, surrounded by unique flora.
50 min · Malham
Day 3 Hawes
- Transit
- 1h25
- Finish
- ~16:55
- Temperature
- 8.6°C–16.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~15
- Daylight
- 16.9h
10:00
11:00
Explore country life exhibits in a restored Victorian railway station.
50 min · Hawes · Adults £5, conc £4.50, child free
open: Daily Feb-Oct 10AM-5PM, Nov Dec 10AM-4PM
12:00
Wensleydale Creamery wensleydale.co.uk map ↗
Discover the process of making Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese and sample the crumbly delight.
50 min · Hawes · Adult £6, child £3.50
open: Daily 10AM-4PM
13:00
Walk through the restored mill, with a history dating back to cotton, flax, wool, sawmill and even Churchill tanks.
50 min · Hawes · Donation adult £5
open: Th 10AM-4PM
14:00
15:05
15:55
The Chippie thechippiehawes.co.uk
Enjoy fresh fish and chips in a cozy sit-in cafe or grab takeaway bites on Market Place.
60 min · Hawes
open: Apr-Oct Tu-Sa 11:30AM-2PM, 5-8PM, Su 11:30AM-6PM; Nov-Mar Su Tu 11:30AM-2PM, F Sa 11:30AM-2PM, 5-8PM
Overnight here
e.g. Hawes Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite · Ebor House
Day 4 Helmsley
- Transit
- 2h37
- Finish
- ~17:30
- Temperature
- 9.6°C–18.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~11
- Daylight
- 16.9h
10:30
Walk among the impressive ruins of a grand Cistercian abbey in the Rye valley.
50 min · Helmsley · Adult £14, conc £12, child £8.50
open: Apr-Sep daily 10AM-6PM, Oct to 5PM, Nov-Mar W-Su 10AM-4PM
11:35
Stroll through parkland and gardens surrounding a grand 1713 country house.
50 min · Helmsley · Park £1, gardens £5
open: Park Feb-Dec daily 10AM-5PM, gardens Apr-Aug Su-F 10:30AM-5PM
12:35
Explore the ruins of a 12th-century castle, later a Tudor mansion and Royalist stronghold.
50 min · Helmsley · Adult £11, child £6, conc £9.50
open: Apr-Sep daily 10AM-6PM, Oct daily 10AM-5PM, Nov-Mar F-Su 10AM-4PM
13:45
Visit the 19th-century Benedictine abbey church and enjoy peaceful grounds.
50 min · Helmsley
open: Daily Apr-Oct 10AM-5PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-3PM
14:55
16:00
Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool helmsleyopenairpool.org
Take a refreshing dip in the heated 25-meter outdoor swimming pool.
90 min · Helmsley · Adult £6.25, child £4
open: May-Nov
Overnight here
e.g. YHA Helmsley · Feversham Arms Hotel
Day 5 Whitby
- Transit
- 2h37
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 10.9°C–15.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~11
- Daylight
- 17.0h
10:00
Explore ancient ruins with stunning coastal views and historic echoes.
50 min · Whitby · Adult £13 child £8, conc £11.50
open: Daily 10AM-5PM
11:00
Discover captivating exhibits on the voyages and legacy of Captain Cook.
50 min · Whitby · Adult £11, child free
open: Daily Feb Mar 10:30AM-3PM, Apr-Oct 10AM-5PM
12:00
Discover Victorian curios, natural history, and local shipping exhibits in an art gallery setting.
50 min · Whitby · Adult £9, child free
open: Feb-mid Dec Tu-Su 10AM-4:30PM
13:10
14:25
16:00
16:50
Falling Foss Tea Garden fallingfossteagarden.co.uk map ↗
Relax beside a waterfall with homemade cakes and refreshing drinks.
60 min · Whitby
open: Apr–Aug, weather dependent
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.