Grassington – a guide for visiting this town in 2022
There are so many great towns and villages in Yorkshire that it's often hard to know which to visit. We think that if you're looking for a charming town with a nice mix of things to see and do as well as plenty of options for exploring the outdoors, then Grassington is an excellent option. We wanted to highlight this town and create a guide for anyone looking to visit in 2022/2023, with a breakdown of the best things to see and do in and around the town. Let's get into the guide:
Where is Grassington?
Grassington is in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, in North Yorkshire. It's 8 miles north of the town of Skipton, and 19 miles to the West of Harrogate. The town is in an area called Wharfedale, which is the name given to the valley of the upper parts of the River Wharfe, a river which you can see when you visit Grassington.
What is there to see and do in Grassington?
There is a lot more to see and do in Grassington than first meets the eye, here are some of the highlights:
Linton Falls
Linton Falls is the largest falls on the River Wharfe, and a great spot to visit during your time in Grassington. The lane leading down to the falls is called Sedber Lane and is itself very picturesque, and then the falls themselves are wonderful to see. You can admire them from the bridge or you can get down towards the grassy section near the falls for a closer look. You can also walk to the falls very easily via the National Park visitor centre. Although Linton Falls is lovely to visit on a sunny day, arguably the best time to visit is after heavy rain when the falls are really powerful.
Grassington Folk Museum
This small museum might only have 5 rooms to explore, but trust us when we say it is both fascinating and charming, and well worth a look during your time in Grassington. It's right on the main road in town and will take no more than 15 minutes of your time, but if you're looking for a great overview of the local history of the town then make sure to pay a visit. What's more, it's totally free! Although donations are encouraged. Learn more here - grassingtonfolkmuseum.org.uk
National Park Visitor Centre
The National Park Visitor Centre is based on the edge of the lovely town of Grassington and is a great place to head to if you're looking to learn more about what to do and where to head to in the surrounding area. You can buy maps and travel books here, as well as souvenirs so you can take a little bit of Grassington home with you. Even if you're not wanting to spend money on a guide, the staff here are really friendly and always happy to answer any questions you have about the local area. If you're looking for some inspiration for things to do during your time in Grassington, head to this centre! Learn more here - yorkshiredales.org.uk
Grass Wood Nature Reserve
This reserve is one of the largest areas of broadleaved woodland in the Dales, and is a great place to visit if you love long walks and spotting wildlife. With more than 70 hectares to explore and plenty of walking trails, you could easily visit this reserve a few times during your time in Grassington. If you're visiting in the summer then you must keep an eye out for the Northern Brown Argus, a beautiful species of butterfly, and in the winter months you can spot tawny owls. This is a must-visit for anyone who loves the outdoors, learn more here - ywt.org.uk
Grassington Congregational Church
Even if you're not religious, a trip to Grassington Congregational Church is well worth your time. This church was constructed in the early 19th century and is a Grade II listed building, so if you're interested in architecture you'll probably enjoy exploring the church. The graveyard is also very interesting to stroll around, and everyone working here is pleasant and happy to answer any questions you have about the history of the building. Learn more here - grassingtonchurch.org
Jump in at Loup Scar
If wild swimming is your thing, then Loup Scar is a great spot to visit - this section of the River Wharf is about a mile outside of Grassington, but is worth the trip if you're looking for a great place to jump into the water. There is a plunge pool here which you can jump into from the limestone rocks which is loads of fun. Definitely not for everyone, but if you like going for a wild swim then it's an excellent place to head to.
What should you be aware of before visiting Grassington?
Grassington is a great town but there is no denying it's a small place, so you'll definitely want to visit some of the surrounding towns in this part of Yorkshire. Luckily you've got loads of options and we've got a guide about some of the great towns and villages to visit nearby.
Hopefully, this guide has inspired you to visit this brilliant Yorkshire. If you're looking for other great places to visit in Yorkshire, make sure to visit Ripon and Holmfirth, as well as the other underrated gems of Yorkshire that we've written about previously.
Finn H
Finn is the editor of You Well and has been writing about travel, health, and more for over 10 years.