Leyburn

Friday evenings see locals spilling out of The Picture House after catching the latest film, a proper old-fashioned cinema that still feels like stepping back a decade or two. This market town sits bang in the middle of Wensleydale, where the cheese comes from, and serves as an excellent jumping-off point for serious fell walking.

Leyburn's compact high street runs along a ridge with cracking views across the dale. It's refreshingly unpretentious - working shops rather than tourist tat, though it does get quiet midweek once the market day crowds disperse. The real draw here isn't the town itself but what surrounds it.

Walkers have their pick of peaks within striking distance. Mill Hill offers the easiest climb for families, while the more ambitious can tackle Barden Fell or work their way across to Flamstone Pin. Each summit delivers different perspectives across this spectacular corner of the Yorkshire Dales, with dry stone walls carving geometric patterns across the landscape below.

An easy walk from the town centre brings you to Harmby Waterfalls, particularly lovely after heavy rain when the water thunders through the limestone gorge. The archaeological remains at William's Hill tell older stories - this ringwork and bailey hints at medieval fortifications that once controlled this strategic valley position.

Getting here involves either the A684 from the east or smaller roads threading through the dales from Ripon. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring both Wensleydale and neighbouring Swaledale without the daily drive from distant accommodation. Camp Kátur Glamping and Eastfield Glamping Farm offer more comfortable options, while traditional sites like Sleningford Watermill suit those preferring canvas under stars.