Bolton Abbey
Historic abbey ruins beside the River Wharfe, with time to look around before we continue deeper into the Dales.
Starting outside York?
Staying in Harrogate or Leeds?
This Yorkshire Dales tour can also start and finish in Harrogate or Leeds. Different pickup pricing applies, and the stop order may be adjusted to make the route work naturally from your starting point.
Live availability
Choose a date.
This calendar is for Yorkshire Dales, Falls & Market Towns only. Select an available date and FareHarbor will open the secure booking process for this tour.
£395
private group up to 4
£98.75 per person based on 4 guests
The Dales from York
Ruins, villages, Grassington, falling water and Brimham Rocks.
An eight-hour private day through the southern Yorkshire Dales, with no coach and no need to work out the transport yourself. The itinerary below shows the standard York-start route; Harrogate and Leeds starts are also available.
We start at Bolton Abbey, follow the River Wharfe through Burnsall, then spend time in Grassington, the village used as Darrowby in All Creatures Great and Small.
Linton Falls is close by, and the day finishes at Brimham Rocks. If the day is running comfortably, we can also add Coldstones Cut before Brimham Rocks.
The route
Five main stops, with Coldstones Cut if time allows.
York → Bolton Abbey → Burnsall → Grassington → Linton Falls → Coldstones Cut if time allows → Brimham Rocks → York
Burnsall
A small riverside village with stone buildings, its bridge and a quick stop beside the Wharfe.
Grassington
Stone streets, independent shops and the real-life Darrowby from All Creatures Great and Small.
Linton Falls
A waterfall stop close to Grassington, with time by the river before we move on.
Coldstones Cut · optional
A hilltop artwork and viewpoint above Nidderdale. We add it when the day is running comfortably and there is enough time.
Brimham Rocks
Huge natural rock formations and wide views before the return journey to York.
Completely private
A Dales day that does not need to run like a timetable.
There is a clear route, but the whole vehicle is for your group. If you need a comfort stop, want more time for lunch or the weather changes the plan, we can make sensible adjustments without holding up anyone else.
- No strangers joining your tour
- Private vehicle for up to 4 guests
- Pick-up and return in York
- Time for lunch, photographs and comfort stops
- Coldstones Cut added only when there is enough time
Before you book
What your booking covers.
The important parts, without a long list of small print.
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- York-area pick-up and return
- Private tour for up to 4 guests
- The standard Dales route shown on this page
- Bottled water
- Umbrellas and ponchos available to borrow
- Coldstones Cut is optional, not a guaranteed stop
- Lunch, food and drinks are paid separately
- There is time in the day for lunch
- The route can change sensibly around weather, traffic and your group's pace
Your day
Is this the right Dales day for you?
Villages, rivers and time to explore
Choose this route for a varied day around Wharfedale: abbey ruins, riverside stops, Grassington and the landscapes beyond. It suits visitors who want time out of the vehicle as well as countryside views along the way.
Plan the stops around your group
Grassington has village streets to explore; Linton Falls and Brimham Rocks involve outdoor paths and uneven ground. Tell me about mobility requirements before booking so we can discuss walking distances, access and suitable alternatives. This is a sightseeing day rather than a guided hiking tour.
A proper break, somewhere you will enjoy
We make time for lunch during the day. I can suggest a village pub, café or another suitable stop and help book a table. Tell me about dietary requirements or somewhere you particularly want to eat. Lunch is paid separately.
Eight hours includes the drive from York
This is a full day out, including the outward and return journeys. The route has several stops, but there is still time travelling between them. If keeping driving to a minimum matters to you, ask me before booking and we can discuss whether this is the best fit.
Southern Dales or a wider Wensleydale day?
This tour focuses on Bolton Abbey, Burnsall, Grassington, Linton Falls and Brimham Rocks. If your priorities are Aysgarth Falls, Hawes and Ribblehead Viaduct, compare the Wild Yorkshire Dales tour from York. These are different days, rather than extra stops to squeeze into one itinerary.
This is a private tour. Exact timings can change around your group, traffic, weather and how the day is running. Coldstones Cut is the first stop we leave out if time becomes tight.
Common questions
Before you book.
How much does the Yorkshire Dales tour cost?
The full price is £395 for your private group of up to four guests. That works out at £98.75 per person when four guests travel. The FareHarbor booking fee is included.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. The vehicle and tour are exclusively for your own group of up to four guests. No other passengers join you.
Where does the tour go?
The standard route is Bolton Abbey, Burnsall, Grassington, Linton Falls and Brimham Rocks before returning to York. Coldstones Cut can be added when there is enough time.
Is Coldstones Cut guaranteed?
No. Coldstones Cut is an extra rather than a core stop. We add it only when the day is running comfortably, so the main Dales stops are not rushed just to fit it in.
Is Grassington the Darrowby from All Creatures Great and Small?
Yes. Grassington is used as Darrowby in the television series, and there is time to explore the village during the tour.
Is there time for lunch?
Yes. The day is planned with time for lunch rather than treating every stop as a quick photo stop.
How much walking is involved?
Grassington has village streets to explore; Linton Falls and Brimham Rocks involve outdoor paths and uneven ground. Tell us about mobility requirements before booking so we can discuss walking distances, access and suitable alternatives.
Is lunch included?
Lunch, food and drinks are paid separately. There is time for a lunch break, and Kes can recommend suitable places and help book a table.
Does the eight-hour duration include travel from York?
Yes. The eight hours include collection, the outward and return journeys, sightseeing stops and time for lunch. Exact timings depend on traffic, weather and your group’s pace.
What is included for the journey?
Bottled water is included, and umbrellas and ponchos are available to borrow if needed.
Where do you pick us up?
York-area collection is included. We can collect from your hotel, accommodation or another agreed York-area pick-up point.
Can this tour start from Harrogate or Leeds?
Yes. Yorkshire Dales, Falls & Market Towns can also start and finish in Harrogate or Leeds. Different pickup pricing applies, and the route order may change to suit your starting point. See our private tours from Harrogate or private tours from Leeds for the relevant pickup options.
How do I check whether my date is available?
Use the live FareHarbor calendar above or select Check availability. Both are linked only to Yorkshire Dales, Falls & Market Towns.
Highwayman Tours Journal
Planning a Yorkshire Dales day?
Useful reading about getting to the Dales from York and what can reasonably fit into one day.
How to Visit the Yorkshire Dales From York
Transport options and practical planning for visiting the Dales from York.
Read the guide →One Day in the Yorkshire Dales From York
How to plan a Dales day with proper stops without trying to cram in too much.
See the itinerary →What a Private Yorkshire Dales Tour Is Really Like
A closer look at the route, pace and practical side of exploring the Dales privately from York.
Read the full guide →Yorkshire Dales, Falls & Market Towns
Eight hours. Five main stops. Your group.
Check the live calendar and choose the date that works for you.
£395
private group up to 4
£98.75 per person based on 4 guests · FareHarbor fee included