Big Cottages Askrigg: Your Complete Planning Guide
Booking Big Cottages in Askrigg gives you a stunning base in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales with the kind of space and freedom that hotels simply can't match. This traditional Dales village sits in Wensleydale and offers genuine Yorkshire character with its stone-built houses and working farms surrounding the village green.
The village works brilliantly for large groups because you get proper countryside peace whilst staying close to major attractions. Askrigg featured as Darrowby in the original All Creatures Great and Small series and the recent BBC remake has brought even more visitors to explore its cobbled streets and historic buildings.
Avoiding stress and planning the perfect group break
Which cottage?
Start with your must-haves before you even look at properties. Set your budget first because holiday cottages in the Dales range from cheap last minute deals to luxury properties with hot tubs and indoor pools. We find that knowing your absolute maximum spend stops you wasting time on rentals you can't afford.
Location matters more than you think. Some large holiday houses sit right in Askrigg village whilst others are scattered across nearby farms. Properties that sleep 12 or sleeps 14 guests need adequate parking for multiple cars and you'll want to check how far you are from the nearest shop.
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you really need? A 10 bedroom property sounds massive but if you've got 20 guests you'll have people sharing. Count your guests properly and add a bedroom if your budget allows. We always recommend at least one bathroom per four people to avoid morning chaos.
Pet-friendly or pet-free makes a huge difference. Dog friendly cottages with enclosed gardens are perfect if half your group wants to bring their pets. Modern or rustic depends on your crowd. Some groups want sleek self-catering accommodation whilst others prefer traditional country cottages with original features.
Plan these in advance
Bedroom allocation drama
Sort out who gets which room before you arrive. The master suite usually goes to whoever organised everything or the oldest couple. We suggest drawing names for the remaining rooms to keep things fair. Properties that sleep 10 or more often have a mix of doubles and twins so map this out early.
Splitting costs between your group
Create a shared spreadsheet showing the rental cost divided by the number of guests. Some groups charge per person whilst others charge per room. Factor in whether children pay less. Apps like Splitwise track who's paid and who still owes money.
Deposits and getting reimbursed
One person usually pays the deposit then collects money from everyone else. Set a deadline for payments at least a month before travel. For big groups booking cottages for 10 or more people this can mean thousands of pounds upfront. Make sure you trust whoever's handling the money.
Hidden fees
Check what's included in your rental price. Some holiday lets charge extra for heating and electricity. Properties with hot tubs often have a supplement. Dog friendly accommodation might add a pet fee. Linen and towels aren't always included in cheap deals.
Group cottage entertainment & activities
Stuff in the cottage itself - Large cottages for big groups often include games rooms with pool tables and table tennis. Some spacious properties have cinema rooms perfect for family movie nights. Holiday homes with hot tubs give you something to do without leaving the property. An indoor pool is rare but worth searching for if you're booking for a family reunion or hen party.
Coordinating group activities - Create a shared document where everyone suggests activities. Not everyone wants to do everything so split into smaller groups for different days out. We find that having one person coordinate each day works better than one person planning the whole week.
Creating itineraries that please everyone - Mix active days with relaxed ones. Schedule one big group meal each day but let people do their own thing for other meals. Build in free time because large groups need breaks from each other.
Distance to activities - Askrigg sits roughly 25 miles from both Hawes and Leyburn. The village itself is small so you'll drive to most attractions. Factor in that country roads are narrow and journeys take longer than Google Maps suggests.
Backup plans for bad weather - The Dales gets plenty of rain so have indoor options ready. Market towns like Hawes offer shops and cafes. Richmond has its castle and museums. Some groups just stay in their group cottage and enjoy the facilities.
Some things to plan in advance
- Check you're not too isolated with no shops or restaurants nearby for emergency supplies
- Confirm parking spaces match your number of cars before booking
- Decide who organizes food shopping and whether you'll cook together or separately
- Clarify who's responsible if something breaks and how to report issues
- Discuss managing different sleep schedules especially if you've got early risers and night owls
- Agree house rules about noise levels for stag dos or hen parties
- Plan transport for anyone drinking if you're visiting local pubs
Top 5 group attractions in Askrigg
The Yorkshire Dales offers incredible scenery and activities perfect for groups. Askrigg's location in Wensleydale puts you within easy reach of waterfalls and historic sites. The area transformed from a lead mining centre to a farming community and now thrives on tourism whilst maintaining its authentic character.
#1 Aysgarth Falls
These spectacular waterfalls sit just four miles from Askrigg and feature three separate falls along the River Ure. The upper falls are most dramatic after rainfall. Groups can walk the woodland paths connecting all three falls and there's plenty of space for picnics. The site appeared in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
#2 Hardraw Force
England's highest single-drop waterfall sits behind the Green Dragon Inn in nearby Hardraw. You walk through the pub to access the falls which drop 100 feet into a natural amphitheatre. Large groups can explore the gorge and the more adventurous can walk behind the waterfall itself. The acoustics make it a venue for brass band concerts.
#3 Bolton Castle
This 14th-century fortress sits six miles from Askrigg and remains remarkably complete. Groups can explore five floors including the dungeons where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned. The castle offers stunning Wensleydale views and has grounds perfect for groups to spread out. Medieval demonstrations run during summer months.
#4 Wensleydale Creamery
Located in Hawes this working creamery produces the famous Wensleydale cheese. Groups can watch cheese being made through viewing galleries and the museum explains the cheese-making history. The shop stocks every variety of Wensleydale you can imagine. It's an ideal wet weather option with a cafe serving lunch.
#5 Forbidden Corner
This unique labyrinth of tunnels and chambers sits near Middleham about 12 miles away. Groups navigate through follies and surprises including temples and underground passages. You must book timed tickets in advance especially for large groups. The quirky attraction takes around two hours to explore fully and works brilliantly for mixed-age groups.
Indoor activities
| Attraction | What you'll experience | For groups |
|---|---|---|
| Wensleydale Creamery | Watch traditional cheese-making through viewing galleries and explore the museum showcasing local dairy heritage | Large groups can split between the museum and shop with the cafe accommodating parties for lunch |
| Dales Countryside Museum | Discover Dales life through recreated rooms and farming exhibits in this Hawes museum | Self-guided tours let groups explore at their own pace with plenty of space in multiple galleries |
| Richmond Georgian Theatre | Britain's most complete Georgian playhouse still stages performances in its original 1788 auditorium | Book group tickets for shows or take a guided tour of the theatre and its museum |
| Tennants Auctioneers | Browse one of the world's largest provincial auction houses with viewing galleries full of antiques and collectables | Free entry means groups can wander the vast showrooms and the Garden Room Cafe seats large parties |
| Brymor Ice Cream | Tour this family farm producing ice cream from their own herd with tastings included | Book group tours in advance and everyone gets to sample multiple flavours in the parlour |
Visitor FAQs
How far in advance should we book Big Cottages in Askrigg?
Book at least six months ahead for peak times like Christmas and New Year. Large holiday houses that sleep 20 guests get snapped up quickly. We've found last minute deals occasionally appear but you risk missing out on the best properties. Weekend breaks and one night stays are harder to find as most rentals require minimum three-night bookings.
What's the best size property for our group?
Count your guests and add one or two bedrooms if possible. An 8 bed property feels cramped with 16 people sharing. Properties described as sleeps 14 often include sofa beds which aren't ideal for adults. We recommend checking the actual bedroom configuration rather than just the maximum occupancy number.
Are there properties suitable for celebrations?
Many large cottages welcome parties for family reunions and milestone birthdays. Some specifically advertise as suitable for hen parties though stag dos might face more restrictions. Always declare if you're celebrating because some holiday rentals have strict no-parties policies. Properties with hot tubs and gardens work brilliantly for celebrations.
What about accessibility for elderly or disabled guests?
Traditional Dales cottages often have stairs and narrow doorways making wheelchair access difficult. Some newer holiday homes and ground floor lodges offer better accessibility. Always contact the owner directly to discuss specific needs. Single-storey properties are rare in Askrigg itself but surrounding areas have more options.
Can we bring multiple dogs?
Many dog friendly cottages accept two dogs but check the limit before booking. Some properties with enclosed gardens welcome more pets which matters for large groups where several families want to bring their dogs. Expect to pay per pet and you'll usually need to keep dogs off furniture and out of bedrooms.
Making the most of your group break
Big Cottages in Askrigg put you right in the heart of Wensleydale with easy access to everything the Yorkshire Dales offers. The village itself provides traditional pubs and a village shop for basics whilst larger towns sit within a 20-minute drive.
Group accommodation here works for all occasions from family reunions to weekend breaks with friends. The combination of stunning scenery and practical facilities means everyone finds something they enjoy. Properties range from traditional country cottages to modern houses to rent with all the latest features.
We recommend using booking platforms like Snaptrip to compare multiple properties and find the best deals. Whether you need a 5 bedroom cottage for a small gathering or massive houses that sleep 10 or more guests you'll find suitable holiday rentals. The key is planning early and communicating clearly with your group about expectations and costs.