Hawes, known as the capital of Upper Wensleydale, is a busy market town with many restaurants and tearooms. Local industries thrive with pottery, wooden toys, the famous Wensleydale cheese and ropemaking for visitors to see. Interesting antique shops offer a glimpse of times gone by and the Dales Countryside Museum and National Park Centre are essential for those interested in traditional countryside life.

The town of Leyburn boasts one or two unusual attractions having its own cinema, a Teapottery producing novelty teapots, a chocolate maker, violin maker's workshop and a fine arts and antiques auction house. Craft workshops and galleries also offer a range of locally and regionally made items including woodturning, stained glass, paintings and pottery.

To the west of Leyburn is the village of Bainbridge which is centered around a spacious village green complete with stocks. The River Bain, the shortest river in England, flows from Lake Semerwater over a picturesque waterfall near the village. Visit Askrigg to the north famous for its associations with the James Herriot television series "All Creatures Great and Small". It also has regular craft fairs, an annual art exhibition and flower festival.

Upper Wensleydale can offer you a multitude of eateries to satisfy your tastebuds. Although Hawes is the main town of the area most of the villages can provide you with excellent food in shops, cafés and pubs.