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Looking for some cute Yorkshire villages near Manchester to visit? We are here to help!
Manchester is ideally located near the historic county of Yorkshire and you can easily visit on a day trip.
Whether you are looking for cute Yorkshire villages near Manchester to explore, beautiful waterfalls or hikes, everything is possible!
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about 10 of the best Yorkshire villages near Manchester, how to get there, what to do and more.
1. Malham
- Distance / Time: 1 hr 29 min (52.6 mi)
Located in the Yorkshire Dales, Malham is one of the best villages in Yorkshire to visit if you are into nature.
This village is home to a beautiful waterfall, Janet’s Foss and some stunning hikes.
The most famous hike is Malham Cove. This curved cliff formation is one of the most unique natural landmarks near Manchester and definitely worth a visit.
The rocks themselves are very pretty but the views from the top of the cove are simply stunning.
It’s also worth mentioning that Malham Cove was used as a filming location for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Remember when Hermione and Harry camp on a rocky area? That’s the place!
You will also find some pubs where you can get a delicious meal in Malham.
Finally, if you’d like to do some more walking, you can head to Malham tarn and walk around the lake.
2. Haworth
- Distance / Time: 1 hr 17 min (38.0 mi)
Haworth is located in West Yorkshire and is famous for its connections with the Bronte sisters.
The cobbled streets are lined with old pubs, independent shops and cafes.
You can also visit the Bronte Parsonage Museum, which is dedicated to the famous authors who lived in this village.
If you’re a literature fan then Haworth should definitely be on your list of Yorkshire villages near Manchester to visit!
Haworth is also home to some amazing hikes that will allow you to discover the Yorkshire countryside.
One of the best places to visit is the Brontë Waterfall. It’s a beautiful area and also famous for its connection with the Bronte Sisters.
Finally, if you want to do something a bit different, you can also join one of the ghost tours of Haworth.
3. Stainforth
- Distance / Time: 1 hr 32 min (53.6 mi)
Stainforth is a picturesque village in North Yorkshire, just a little bit north of Settle and it’s perfect for a day trip from Manchester.
The main attraction of this village is Stainforth Force, which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Yorkshire.
You can also go for a nice walk around the area and discover some amazing views of the Yorkshire Dales.
Another waterfall worth discovering in the area is Catrigg Force. It’s located on the other side of Stainforth but if you are up for a good hike, you can visit both in one day.
4. Marsden
- Distance / Time: 56 min (18.2 mi)
Marsden is one of the closest Yorkshire villages to Manchester. It’s located in West Yorkshire, at the very top of the Peak District.
One of the things that makes this village unique is its stunning scenery and beautiful cobble streets.
The most popular attraction in Marsden is the Marsden Moor Estate. It’s a stunning area of moorland with some spectacular views of the peaks. It’s looked after by the National Trust and home to fantastic walking opportunities.
You will also find some great pubs and shops in this village, so make sure to explore them when you visit!
5. Saltaire
- Distance / Time: 1 hr 18 min (44.0 mi)
Saltaire is a Victorian model village around 44 miles from central Manchester, near Bradford in West Yorkshire.
The village is named after Sir Titus Salt who built a textile mill on the River Aire.
The village is definitely worth a visit, especially after it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.
Saltaire is one of those places where taking a simple stroll is an exciting way to take in the sites and history.
There are plenty of fun things to do including taking a barge boat trip, visiting the Wurlitzer Organ at Victoria Hall or heading to the Bracken Hall Countryside Centre.
The Boathouse is one of the busiest pubs in the village, largely because of its riverside location but also because of its good grub!
Another fan favourite is La Rue which serves up modern British dishes.
You can reach Saltaire by train in under two hours but you have to change in Leeds.
6. Ripponden
- Distance / Time: 47 min (24.5 mi)
If you are searching for charming Yorkshire villages near Manchester, definitely check out Ripponden.
Ripponden is less than hours drive from the city centre and just 30 minutes from some Greater Manchester destinations like Rochdale.
Ripponden was the filming location for BBC’s Gentleman Jack as well as season three of Happy Valley.
There’s no wonder that it has been chosen for filming locations as its charm and charisma ooze from every street.
The Old Bridge Inn is one of the oldest pubs in Yorkshire (dating back to 1307) and is definitely worth a visit.
Not only can you walk across the mid-18th century bridge but stopping for a pint at the pub is a good halfway point to your day trip.
For other eateries check out The Lion, a 200-year-old pub that serves Mediterranean fare.
7. Linton
- Distance / Time: 1 hr 28 min (52.8 mi)
Linton in Craven is just eight miles north of Skipton in North Yorkshire.
This cute Yorkshire village is built around the village green.
It is well worth packing a picnic for your trip to Linton to enjoy on the green.
During summer you can enjoy a toe dip in Linton Beck which flows under a picturesque stone bridge.
You will definitely want to check out Linton Falls which is close to the neighbouring village of Grassington.
If you head upstream then you can check out the restored hydroelectric plant, which was closed in the 1940s.
There are no direct trains to Linton and you’ll need to take multiple trains and a bus to get there so it’s easier to just drive.
Linton is a lovely little village, perfect for a little wander around and it’s close to Grassington so you can combine both villages for an excellent day trip.
8. Grassington
- Distance / Time: 1 hr 32 min (54.2 mi)
Grassington is around 1 hour 30 minutes drive north of Manchester in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
To reach Grassington with public transport you will need to get the train from Manchester Victoria to Skipton (with a connection in Leeds) and then take the 72 bus to Grassington.
When visiting a small English village there is often nothing better than a cutesy bookshop and café.
The Stripey Badger is just the spot for perusing the shelves and buying one too many books!
You will want to take your time strolling the cobbled streets and heading down narrow ginnels (alley, jitty, snicket, or vennel if you are from Scotland).
You can also visit the Grassington Folk Museum and the Grassington Congregational Church too.
You can also head out on a walk from Grassington to Linton Falls. It is a picturesque and easy walk but one with plenty of Yorkshire charm.
If you are searching for pubs in Grassington check out The Devonshire, the Foresters Arms or the Black Horse Hotel.
9. Mytholmroyd
- Distance / Time: 59 min (27.1 mi)
Mytholmroyd sounds like it could be right at home in Wales, but it’s actually in West Yorkshire.
Pronounced “mai-thuhm-royd”, this is one of Yorkshire’s larger villages and as a result it has its own train station.
From Manchester Victoria, there are direct trains which take just 30 minutes.
There are some great walks to enjoy in and around Mytholmroyd.
From the train station, you can take a six-mile circular walk that allows you to climb Windle Hill, Weather Hill, Aaron Hill and Crow Hill.
Along this walk, you can enjoy views of the moorland, and surrounding towns and villages. You can also enjoy a stroll along the Rochdale Canal which passes through the village.
Mytholmroyd is also littered with independent shops, restaurants and cafes and it’s good to just potter around and see what you discover.
Some of the best tapas around head to The Bar & Tapas on Burnley Road.
10. Kettlewell
- Distance / Time: 1 hr 43 min (59.1 mi)
Another of the cutest villages near Manchester is Kettlewell.
Kettlewell is a village in Upper Wharfedale, around 60 miles north of Manchester city centre.
There are no direct trains to Kettlewell as it is right in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park but you can get there on public transport by taking the train to Ilkley and then the bus from Brook Street Railway Road for around 30 minutes.
If you have ever watched the movie Calendar Girls you may spot some familiar sights in Kettlewell as well as other parts of the Yorkshire Dales.
Get to know the village better by taking a gentle stroll along Kettlewell Beck where you will find the charming parish church.
Kettlewell is all about narrow lanes and grey stone cottages.
The village is home to three pubs: The Blue Bell Inn, the Racehorses Hotel and the Kings Head.
Among the cutesy narrow lanes are a couple of tea rooms. One of the best places for a spot of tea and cake is Zarina’s.
11. Clapham
- Distance / Time: 1 h 30 min (56.1 miles)
Not to be confused with the neighbourhood of southwest London, Clapham is in Clapham-cum-Newby in North Yorkshire.
If you are searching for Yorkshire villages near Manchester, then this place is ideal especially if you love nature.
You will certainly be in for a peaceful time in Clapham.
Clapham might be one of the furthest villages from Manchester but it’s still accessible via train (with a connection in Leeds).
The Clapham Village Store is postcard perfect. With its red post box outside, it seems to epitomise the charming essence of English villages.
You can also head to Growing with Grace to pick up the best local organic produce. Glencroft is another shop that’s interesting to visit.
Established in 1987 they sell local Clapdale wool and associated products.
For lunch stop by The Old Sawmill Café which serves tray bakes, coffee and lunchtime snacks. After you’ve refuelled head out on the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail.
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