Holiday rentals in Kettlewell

The small North Yorkshire village of Kettlewell nestles in the Upper Wharfedale Valley in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, framed by rolling green hills with outcrops of grey limestone and sheep grazing on the high ground. A patchwork of fields divided by historic stone walls surrounds the village alongside terraced fields, showing evidence of early medieval farming. The name Kettlewell is believed to come from the Anglo-Saxon meaning “bubbling stream”; the River Wharfe flows gently under stone bridges through the village and eventually meets Kettlewell Beck.

Kettlewell used to be an important transport hub on the coach road to the main road to Wharfedale, which may explain why there are three pubs in such a small community. Limestone cottages line the village streets alongside tearooms that serve the many walkers who pass through. Hikers use Kettlewell as a base for heading off along the trails that converge in the area, including the Dales Way and the Yorkshire Water Way.

Although the summer is the busiest season for the village, being the warmest and driest time of year, Kettlewell is a year-round destination for hikers wishing to explore the Dales. There are benefits to visiting autumn and winter, too — in addition to fewer people to share the trails with, this is the best time for stargazing, as the nights are longer. Kettlewell is part of the Dark Sky Reserve in the Yorkshire Dales thanks to its low level of light pollution. Time your visit for the October and February stargazing festivals in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The biggest event in Kettlewell is the Scarecrow Festival, which takes place over a week in August. Many locals take part by creating their own scarecrows, often dressed to a particular theme, and displaying them on and around shops, homes, and farmland.

Great Whernside

A 13-kilometre loop takes you from the village of Kettlewell to the peak of Great Whernside, one of the highest fells in the Yorkshire Dales at over 700 metres. The walk takes you across grassland and through fields with dry-stone walls before reaching the trig point at the top. The descent boasts spectacular views of the valley and the Angram and Scar House reservoirs before heading back through Tor Dyke, an ancient earthwork, to Kettlewell.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is around a 50-minute drive from the village of Kettlewell. The 18th-century landscape garden is exquisitely set among the ruins of the 12th-century Cistercian abbey and water mill, boasting water features and statues. Riverside walks lead to a deer park alongside ancient trees, including oak, lime, and sweet chestnut.

Linton Falls

The neighbouring village of Grassington is home to Linton Falls, the largest falls on the River Wharfe. A five-minute waymarked trail leads downhill from the car park to the edge of the water. A modern bridge crosses the river, offering a perfect viewpoint to watch the water cascading across the limestone rocks.