Butter Tubs

Two deep limestone sinkholes sit just north of Hawes, looking exactly like giant bathtubs someone's abandoned in the Yorkshire moorland. They're proper dramatic - the Butter Tubs drop straight down maybe 60 feet or so, with sheer stone walls that catch the light in winter and hold water year-round. The name came from local farmers who supposedly used them as natural fridges for butter, though that's almost certainly nonsense. Still, the legend sticks.

It's a quick stop rather than a full morning out. The walk from the layby takes five minutes, and you get maybe ten minutes of proper looking before the novelty wears off - unless you're the type who enjoys standing on a clifftop for half an hour watching light change on stone. History buffs and geology types will find it worth the detour; kids under ten get bored fast once they've peered down and made appropriate noises.

Free to visit, no facilities, and it's essentially a layby experience. Midweek visits are calmer than weekends when the place heaves with coach parties. The site sits on the B6255 between Hawes and Hardraw, making it a natural stop if you're touring upper Wensleydale. Pair it with a proper walk around Hardraw Force or a village pint back in Hawes, because standing at a sinkhole alone feels a bit pointless. Stay at Usha Gap Farm & Campsite or Hawes Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite if you're basing yourself in the area - both excellent for the dale's other attractions.