Walking the Herriot Way - Yorkshire Dales
Walk one of of Yorkshire’s finest long-distance trails, the iconic Herriot way, made famous by vet and writer James Herriot.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 5 nights
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Group Size: Maximum 8
Level: Active
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
In a Nutshell:
Complete one of Yorkshire’s finest long distance walking routes and enjoy truly magical scenery in and around the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Relax in lovely guesthouse accommodation after a day’s walking - just one guesthouse for the entire trip, allowing you to get settled.
Enjoy the brilliant company of a group of fellow walkers and your Large Outdoors host and walking guide.
Collections: Yorkshire Dales : Long Distance Walks : Adventure Holidays
How do we grade our walks?
A four day walking adventure following the long-distance Herriot Way and five nights staying in excellent guesthouse accommodation.
The Herriot Way – 52 miles through Wensleydale and Swaledale – is the famous long-distance route based on a walking holiday completed by vet and writer James Herriot, of All Creatures Great and Small fame, and his son.
We’ll complete the length of the Herriot Way over four days of walking. Staying in a single guesthouse - Butt House - for the trip and heading out to starting points each day, the 52-mile route is broken down into 4 manageable 13-mile sections. It’s an active adventure that’s perfect for walkers wanting to embark on a long-distance walking holiday without having to change accommodation each night.
This fantastic Yorkshire Dales walking holiday passes through a number of filming locations used in the first TV adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, based on Herriot’s novels, and is jam-packed with brilliant scenic delights along the way. The route crosses varied terrain, including open moorland and fells, riverside paths, meadows, country lanes and tracks - with a mix of well-defined paths and more muddy, wet, or rough sections.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
You’re welcome to arrive at our accommodation any time from 3pm. On this first evening, the guesthouse will prepare a meal (not included in the price) for us to enjoy together at around 7pm - the perfect way to get to know your Large Outdoors host, as well as the other participants. Then it’s time to get some shut-eye before getting started on the Herriot Way tomorrow!
Days 2-5
Your Large Outdoors host is also your walking guide for this experience. They will decide on the route sections the group will be walking each day based on the weather forecast (some are more exposed, so better enjoyed on drier and less windy days). You can relax and enjoy the walking, views and company of your fellow Herriot Way adventurers, whilst your guide takes care of the navigation and route planning. Each day you’ll walk around 13 miles, to cover the whole 52 mile Herriot Way over the course of this trip.
The walk sections are:
Aysgarth to Hawes - Highlights on this section include beautiful waterfalls; Askrigg, which became the fictional village of Darrowby in the TV series; and the charming market town of Hawes.
Hawes to Keld - A gradual climb to Great Shunner Fell; pretty meadows which are a riot of colour in late spring when the wild flowers are in bloom; and a climb up to Kisdon Hill before arriving at the village of Keld.
Keld to Reeth - This part of the Herriot Way included open moorland views; fascinating remains of the old lead mining industry; dry stone walls and barns; and the welcoming sight of Reeth (where great ice cream can usually be found!).
Reeth to Aysgarth - The route on this section involves climbing up to Harkerside Moor along miners’ tracks with the old mine workings; quiet valley walking and the lovely Castle Bolton.
At the end of each day of walking, we will return to our accommodation in Keld, where you’ll have time to chill before an evening meal at our accommodation (as the guesthouse hosts provide delicious dinners too). Please note: each of the nights’ dinners are not included in the price of this experience.
Day 6
After a leisurely breakfast this morning, it’s sadly time to go our separate ways. Congratulations - you’re a Herriot Way champion!
Good to Know
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Meeting Time: you are welcome to arrive from 3pm. Your Large Outdoors host will be ready to greet you and your fellow participants over a welcome dinner at 7pm.
Meeting Location:
Butt House
Keld
Richmond
DL11 6LJParking: There is parking available at the accommodation.
Public Transport: Unfortunately, the meeting location for this Large Outdoors experience is not accessible by public transport.
Finish Time: This experience finishes after breakfast on Day 6 - with checkout of the accommodation by 10am.
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You’ll stay in the lovely independent guesthouse, Butt House, in the village of Keld. It’s surrounded by Yorkshire Dales National Park scenery and each room has far-reaching views. Butt House boasts a cosy lounge, a licensed bar, a south-facing garden for relaxing in the evenings and limited Wi-Fi, but please note there is no mobile telephone signal at the accommodation.
Bedding and a towel are provided, just bring your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
Butt House
Keld
Richmond
DL11 6LJRoom Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Single Room (en-suite)
Twin/Double Room (en-suite)At this accommodation there are Shared Rooms where you’ll be sharing a room with other participants - the largest room sleeps three and all rooms have either two or three single beds (each Shared Room has an en-suite bathroom, some have a bath with handheld shower attachment and others have a shower over a bath). Single Rooms are for one participant and have a single or double bed (bathrooms are en-suite, with either a bath with handheld shower attachment or a shower over a bath). Twin/Double Rooms are for two participants booking together and can be made up as two single beds or one king-sized double bed - please confirm your preference when booking (bathrooms are en-suite, with either a bath with handheld shower attachment or a shower over a bath).
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Included:
5 nights’ accommodation at Butt House - we have taken over exclusive use of the guesthouse, so it will just be Large Outdoors participants staying.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you and deal with the logistics for your experience.
Guided walks on 4 days (Days 2-5), completing the Herriot Way.
Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door.
A hearty cooked breakfast each morning, prepared by the accommodation.
A packed lunch for Day 2, 3, 4 & 5’s walk, prepared by the accommodation.
Complimentary tea and coffee provided in your room at the accommodation..
Bedding and a towel - but don’t forget your own toiletries.
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Dinner in the evenings - this is provided by the guesthouse. You can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Bottled water - tap water is available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - the accommodation has a licensed bar if you wish to purchase alcohol.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.
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What level of fitness is needed? This trip is graded as Active. The mileage covered is approx. 13 miles per day, walking this four days back-to-back, so it’s worth putting some training or preparation in - the fitter you are the more you’ll enjoy this long-distance walk. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.
Can I attend on my own? Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.
I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me? Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide meals with dairy* free ingredients - these options can be selected when booking.
*Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.
This particular experience offers a little more flexibility catering wise, as evening meals are taken at local restaurants and the accommodation, so please contact us if you’d like to check whether it is suitable for your dietary needs.What transport is provided during this trip? We do not provide any transport for this experience.
Can I bring my dog? Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.
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“I enjoyed every aspect of the trip. The guide - John - was exceptional. Accommodation couldn’t have been any better. Group of people I met were so welcoming. Thank you for making my first walking holiday such a wonderful experience.” Barbara (June 2023)
“Beautiful scenery. Fantastic walks led by great guide…Wonderful group of people, homely B&B.” Sew (June 2023)