Hardraw is situated towards the western end of Wensleydale within easy travelling distance of all of the northern dales of the National Park. In particular, Swaledale, renowned for its outstanding beauty, can be reached in about 20 minutes via the Buttertubs Pass, and Wensleydale is full of interesting and attractive places to visit.

Although the old village of Askrigg, the busy little market town of Hawes and the dramatic waterfalls of Aysgarth are best known, it is well worth exploring a little off the beaten track to really appreciate the unique character of the Dales landscape.

By far the best way to discover the area is on foot, and Hardraw is as good a place as anywhere from which to do so, especially as the Pennine Way passes through the village. Using this, the first and greatest of Britain's long distance footpaths, Swaledale can be reached in about 3 hours, and the remote and little known hamlet of Cotterdale in less than an hour.

Closer to the village, there is Cotter Force, a particularly beautiful waterfall in a wooded setting about 20 minutes on foot to the west, which complements Hardraw Force itself, England's highest single drop waterfall, which is just 5 minutes from The Cart House, and a source of wonder to visitors for centuries.

Hawes, only 25 minutes on foot again via the Pennine Way, now has a major attraction in the recently opened Upper Dales Folk Museum, as well as a popular visitor centre attached to the Wensleydale Cheese factory, one of the area's most thriving businesses, internationally famous for its products.

You might also like to visit "The Guide to Herriot Country" at www.herriotcountry.com The website covers the area named after the author and vet James Herriot who made this glorious part of Yorkshire famous. The site gives information onwhere to stay, things to do as well as a comprehensive list of local events and news etc.