Hawes

Hawes is a village and civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies in the valley of Wensleydale within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, at the head of the dale near the River Ure. The town has a traditional market town character and serves as a hub for the surrounding agricultural communities.

The Wensleydale Creamery, based in Hawes, produces Wensleydale cheese and operates a visitor centre that attracts tourists year-round. The Dales Countryside Museum, housed in a former railway building, presents exhibitions on rural life, transport, and farming in the Dales. The Market Place is central to the town and features a range of historic buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Local shops, pubs, and accommodations cater to visitors exploring the Dales.

Geography and governance:

The parish covers rural countryside and is part of the Richmondshire district within North Yorkshire. It lies within the historic boundaries of the North Riding of Yorkshire and sits in the scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, making it a common starting point for walking routes through the area.

History:

Hawes has medieval origins and developed as a market town serving farmers and traders in Wensleydale. Its economy has long centered on agriculture, livestock, and dairy production, with tourism playing an increasingly important role in recent decades.