Big Cottages Hawes: Your Complete Planning Guide
Booking Big Cottages in Hawes gives your group a perfect base in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This traditional market town sits at the head of Wensleydale and offers genuine Yorkshire character with its stone buildings and working cheese creamery that's been producing the famous Wensleydale cheese since 1897.
The town works brilliantly for large groups because everything centres around the compact market square. You can walk to pubs and shops easily. The surrounding dales provide endless walking routes and the Pennine Way passes right through. We find groups love the combination of countryside access and proper amenities without the tourist crowds you get in more famous spots.
Avoiding stress and planning the perfect group break
Which cottage?
Start with your must-haves before browsing properties. A 10 bedroom cottage sleeping 20 guests costs more than a 5 bedroom sleeping 10. Set your budget first and stick to it. Platforms like Snaptrip show hundreds of holiday cottages but filtering saves hours.
Location matters more than you think. Some large holiday house options sit three miles outside Hawes up single-track roads. That's fine for a quiet retreat but problematic if you're planning a hen party with multiple cars arriving at different times. Check the actual distance to the nearest pub.
Count bathrooms not just bedrooms. An 8 bed property with two bathrooms creates morning chaos for big groups. We recommend at least one bathroom per four guests. Dog friendly cottages often come with enclosed garden spaces which matters if you're bringing pets. Modern properties with hot tubs cost more than rustic country cottages but the entertainment value often justifies it.
Plan these in advance
How many bedrooms and bathrooms for your group
Calculate honestly. A cottage that sleeps 14 might have bunk beds in three rooms. That's fine for families but awkward for a group of adults. Check the actual bed configuration before booking. Properties advertising they sleep 12 often include sofa beds which nobody actually wants.
Bedroom allocation drama
Decide who gets the master suite before arrival. We suggest couples with young children get priority for ground floor rooms. Single guests can share twin rooms. Put it in writing in your group chat to avoid arrival day arguments.
Splitting costs between your group
Create a shared spreadsheet showing the total rental cost divided by attendees. Some groups charge couples more than singles. Others split it equally. Decide early and get agreement. Apps like Splitwise track who's paid what.
Deposits and getting reimbursed
One person typically books and pays the deposit. Set a deadline for others to reimburse you. Most holiday lets require full payment eight weeks before arrival. Chase people early because last minute stress ruins the planning process.
Hidden fees
Read the small print. Some holiday rentals charge extra for heating in winter. Others add cleaning fees or require you to provide bed linen. Pet-friendly accommodation often adds £30-50 per dog. Factor these into your budget calculations.
Group cottage entertainment & activities
Stuff in the cottage itself - Big houses for big groups often include games rooms with pool tables and table tennis. Properties with hot tubs provide evening entertainment without leaving the property. Some spacious holiday homes have indoor pools though these are rare in Hawes. Cinema rooms with projectors work brilliantly for family reunion gatherings.
Coordinating group activities like a pro - Create a shared document listing potential activities with costs. Let people vote on preferences. Book popular attractions in advance especially for weekend breaks or Christmas and New Year periods when everything fills up fast.
Creating itineraries that please everyone - Mix active and relaxed options. Some guests want to hike Pen-y-ghent while others prefer browsing the Wensleydale Creamery. Build in free time. Over-scheduling causes friction in large groups.
Think about how far it is to activities - Hawes sits centrally for exploring the Dales. Aysgarth Falls is 20 minutes away. Hardraw Force waterfall is walkable from town. Richmond takes 40 minutes by car. Factor in travel time when planning daily schedules.
Backup plans for when the weather's rubbish - Yorkshire weather changes fast. The Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes provides two hours of indoor entertainment. Nearby market towns like Leyburn offer shops and cafes. Having wet weather alternatives prevents disappointed guests.
Some things to plan in advance
- Being too isolated with no shops or restaurants nearby means someone drives for every meal
- Parking inadequate for multiple cars causes daily reshuffling frustration
- Who organizes everything including food shopping and activity bookings needs deciding upfront
- Who's responsible if something breaks should be clear in your rental agreement
- Managing different sleep schedules matters in open-plan properties where noise travels
Top 5 group attractions in Hawes
Hawes and the surrounding Dales offer brilliant options for group accommodation guests. The area transformed from industrial lead mining to tourism while keeping its agricultural heritage. You'll find working farms alongside visitor attractions and the landscape provides natural entertainment for parties of all sizes.
#1 Wensleydale Creamery
This working creamery produces the famous cheese that Wallace and Gromit made internationally known. You can watch cheesemakers through viewing windows and the museum explains the history. The shop stocks every variety they produce plus local products. Groups love the tasting sessions and it works for all ages regardless of weather.
#2 Hardraw Force
England's highest single-drop waterfall sits just outside Hawes behind the Green Dragon Inn. The 100-foot cascade is spectacular after rain. Access goes through the pub so you pay a small entry fee. The walk takes 10 minutes from the car park making it accessible for mixed-ability groups. Kevin Costner filmed Robin Hood Prince of Thieves here.
#3 Dales Countryside Museum
Located in the old railway station this museum covers Dales life through the centuries. Exhibits include lead mining, farming practices and domestic life. The hands-on displays engage children while adults appreciate the historical depth. It provides excellent wet weather backup for groups and takes about two hours to explore properly.
#4 Aysgarth Falls
Three separate waterfalls cascade over limestone steps creating dramatic scenery. The upper falls are most impressive and easily accessible. Woodland walks connect all three sections. Groups can split based on fitness levels. The National Park car park accommodates multiple vehicles and the nearby mill houses a carriage museum.
#5 Buttertubs Pass
This dramatic mountain pass between Hawes and Thwaite features deep limestone potholes called the Buttertubs. The road climbs to 1726 feet with stunning views across Wensleydale. It's a spectacular drive for groups and cyclists rate it among Britain's best climbs. Stop at the summit for photos and to peer into the geological formations.
Indoor activities
| Attraction | What you'll experience | For groups |
|---|---|---|
| Wensleydale Creamery | Watch cheesemaking through viewing windows and taste multiple varieties in the shop | Accommodates large groups easily with space for everyone to browse and shop |
| Dales Countryside Museum | Interactive exhibits covering farming, mining and domestic life across centuries | Self-guided so groups can explore at their own pace and regroup afterwards |
| Yorebridge House | Afternoon tea in an elegant country house setting with valley views | Can accommodate group bookings with advance notice for special occasions |
| Hawes Ropemakers | Watch traditional rope-making demonstrations using Victorian machinery still in operation | Compact space suits smaller groups and the demonstration fascinates all ages |
| Local pubs | Traditional Yorkshire pubs serving local ales and hearty food in stone buildings | Several pubs in Hawes can accommodate group bookings for meals and drinks |
Visitor FAQs
How far in advance should we book Big Cottages in Hawes?
Book six months ahead for peak times like Christmas, New Year and summer holidays. Last minute availability exists for midweek breaks outside school holidays but choice becomes limited. Properties that sleep 20 guests book up fastest.
What's the minimum stay for group cottage rentals?
Most holiday homes require three-night minimum stays. Weekend bookings typically run Friday to Monday. Some properties offer one night stays midweek in quiet periods but this is rare. Christmas and New Year usually require week-long bookings.
Are there cheap options for large groups?
Self-catering cottages to rent cost less per person than hotels. Lodges and cabins often provide better value than traditional stone properties. Booking direct with owners sometimes avoids platform fees. Midweek breaks cost significantly less than weekends.
Can we bring dogs to group accommodation?
Many large cottages in Hawes welcome dogs. Check how many pets are allowed as some limit numbers. Properties with enclosed gardens work best for multiple dogs. Expect to pay extra per pet and some require ground floor bedrooms stay pet-free.
What facilities should we prioritize for stag dos or hen parties?
Look for properties with hot tubs, games rooms and spacious living areas. Proximity to pubs matters for evening entertainment. Some owners don't accept stag dos so check policies. Houses to rent with good parking accommodate multiple arrivals easily.
Finding the right accommodation for big groups in Hawes sets up your entire break. The town provides proper Yorkshire Dales character without feeling remote. You get access to spectacular scenery and walking routes while staying close to amenities.
We recommend booking properties with more bathrooms than you think necessary. The extra space prevents morning bottlenecks. Check parking capacity matches your group size because street parking in Hawes is limited.
Whether you're planning a family reunion, celebrating a milestone birthday or just gathering friends for a weekend away, Hawes delivers. The combination of dramatic landscapes, traditional market town atmosphere and quality group cottage options makes it work for parties of all types.