One of the main reasons that people visit Hardraw in the Yorkshire Dales is to see the 98ft waterfall – the highest waterfall in England. A payment is required to access the path that leads to Hardraw Beck and the short walk to the waterfall through the Green Dragon Pub in the high street. To simply go to see and photograph the waterfall is to miss the pleasure of this pretty little village and its stunning surrounding countryside. Spend a little time in thehamlet of Hardraw, go for walks and enjoy the lovely scenery in all directions.
Hardraw is a hamlet of stone-built houses that has residential properties, holiday homes, a bunk house, a tea shop and pub on either side of Bellow Hill, the main road that passes through it. There are a few houses along Bellow Hill and a camp site at Scar End. The Pennine Way cuts through Hardraw making it a useful place to stay for overnight stops. There are always plenty of walkers to be seen, perhaps taking a day’s rest before proceeding on the next stage of their walk. Surrounding land is farmland with occasional farm houses and barns.
There is some parking on the approach roads in and out of Hardraw and old sign posts marking the various paths and trails. The Cart House Tea Shop is a pleasant place to stop for refreshments beside the old church and bridge over Hardraw Beck. There is seating inside and also picnic tables outside where tourists can sit and enjoy the views. Chickens and ducks wander about near the river and occasionally dare to cross the bridge, as people sitting at benches outside the tea shop hold their breath wondering if they will survive the next passing car. Daily newspapers are provided for customers to read whilst they lunch.
The Hardraw Beck divides the land that the Parish Church and graveyard stand on from the tea shop.
The water here, flows over a few gentle falls as it runs down its rocky bed. On the other side of the bridge is a small garden with a bench where it is nice to sit awhile and enjoy the splashes of wild flowers on the river bank. Children would be tempted to cross the shallow rover using the rocks as stepping stones.
The Little White Bus passes through Hardraw on the Gayle to Garsdale Station Route.
The village is surrounded by beautiful gently undulating countryside.
The Pennine Way south from opposite the Green Dragon Inn leads to Hawes, the walk northwards begins at the western entrance to the village near the town sign and bunk house and leads through remote countryside and on past Thwaite and Muker.
exchange
