The creation station's fun drop-in and self-led activities are associated with exploring our dales skies' life and traditions. Make nocturnal animals, learn about the past and reflect on our stunning dark sky within the National Park. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

A talk with distinguished conductor Stan Roocroft MBE. Stan is the conductor of the Wensleydale Chorus and Aysgarth Singers, as well as Hawes Silver Band. Part of the Friends of the Museum annual lecture programme. Free - donations welcome.Continue reading

Inviting families to join us to consider all the ways in which we communicate with each other. As part of our dialect and heritage project, we are delivering this daylong drop in event, which will offer the opportunity to investigate phonetics, body language, sign language and symbols through a series of fun and participatory activities. This session is SEND friendly. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join us at the Dales Countryside Museum for a dark skies extravaganza. It’s not only the stars that come out at night! Get ready to explore nature’s night-time neighbourhood with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as your intrepid guide… Discover the curious creatures who seek out midnight feasts, moonlit strolls and twilight temperatures. Get creative and decorate your own bat biscuits with the Firebox Café. All dark skies activities are included in the ticket price of the museum. Part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park #DarkSkiesFestival.Continue reading

Join us at the Dales Countryside Museum for a dark skies extravaganza. Come along on a cosmic adventure through through the Solar System with a family friendly talk by expert astronomer Richard Darn. Make your own rocket and launch into space with kids' crafts in the Firebox Café. All dark skies activities included in the ticket price of the museum. Part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park #DarkSkiesFestival.Continue reading

Follow a trail of stars and seek out the planets. Your reward for making it to the sun is to return to the Firebox Cafe for a planet pizza making session. Suitable for beginner cyclists all activities will be undertaken in a traffic free site. Bikes/helmets available to loan. Places must be booked £10 (includes pizza and ice cream) Booking to be made through Stage 1 Cycles.Continue reading

An illustrated talk by Emily Rowe Rawlence from the National School House in Hawes about the "Stories of Schools Project" highlighting the development of Upper Dales schools from the 1930s onward. Part of the Friends of the Museum annual lecture programme. Free - donations welcome.Continue reading

Calling all those who love textiles! We are hosting an event which celebrates cloth and craft in all its traditional and contemporary forms. There will be demonstrations and workshops, as well as the opportunity to take part in a collaborative community project. Part of the Dialect and Heritage Project. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Explore the process involved in making a relief print in lino in this day workshop, creating a design inspired by the beautiful landscape of the dales and the woodblock prints from our museum founder Marie Hartley. This session is suitable for everyone. This method of relief printmaking is accessible and, once understood, can be practised within the home. Your design will be drawn, transferred onto a linoleum surface, and cut using a knife, V-shaped chisel/gouge. Ink will be applied onto your remaining un-carved areas to reveal a mirrored relief print. Expect to make several prints from your lino, approximately A5/A6 in size. Bring own packed lunch. Booking Essential. Adults £40.Continue reading

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling and explain the construction of this iconic feature of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones, find out how a pile of stones can be turned into something that will last for centuries. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join Mrs H in our traditional Dales Farmhouse Kitchen and discover the history of bread making and how it has changed from the Roman times to now. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Let's get hands-on with history! Drop-in craft activities for families. Look at the history of weaving and make your own small woven panel. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling and explain the construction of this iconic feature of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones during four short drop-in sessions, they talk through the process of turning a pile of stones into something that will last for centuries. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Let's get hands-on with history! Drop-in craft activities for families. Look at candles and lanterns through the ages and have a go at making a candle. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

An illustrated talk by historian Audrey Dewjee about the hidden history of the roles people from Africa and Asia played in the Dales. Part of the Friends of the Museum annual lecture programme. Free - donations welcome.Continue reading

Help celebrate international Earth Day at our drop-in family activities all weekend. Earth Day, celebrated on 22nd April each year, is the annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the various environmental challenges that face our planet. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers on this short 2.5 mile (3.5km) guided walk and explore the history of Hawes and the village of Gayle. Walking through this lovely market town, discover the origins of Wensleydale cheese, see where the railway once went and follow a section of the Pennine Way. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £3. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

Experiment with a wide range of mediums, including charcoal, chalk, oil pastels and ink, in the study of monograph photographs taken from our museum archive and the Dales held in Leeds Special Collections in this morning workshop. This session is suitable for everyone, including those new to drawing or those looking to practice their skills. Techniques such as shading, composition using the grid technique, mark making and building up tone and highlights will be demonstrated, so you have the opportunity to improve on your drawing skills. Booking Essential. Adults £35.Continue reading

Dales Countryside Museum is partnering with Ryedale Folk Museum to provide activities in each North Yorkshire Library throughout the month of May, celebrating their local history month. Visit your library to contribute your local dialect words and to pick up your free family friendly activity pack inspired by the words recorded in the 1950 Survey of English Dialect. Check opening times of your local library. Part of the Dialect and Heritage Project.Continue reading

Join our expert map readers on this 3 mile (4.8 km) walk to learn basic navigation skills. Using an Ordnance Survey map, learn how to orientate a map, identify features, locate exact positions, and estimate distance and times to take you on your own voyages of discovery. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £5. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

A demonstration of traditional rug making including both proddy and hooked techniques - included in museum admission.Continue reading

Come along on this 4 mile (6.4km) walk in Herriot country and enjoy panoramic views over Upper Wensleydale. Barns, walls and bridges are important features of Wensleydale and played a crucial part in the development of local industry and agriculture. The walk includes the woodland and waterfalls of Shaw Gill. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £5. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

An illustrated talk by author David Joy about Trees in the Dales. Part of the Friends of the Museum annual lecture programme. Free - donations welcome.Continue reading

Visit a local alpaca farm on Raydaleside, meet the animals and take them for a gentle stroll through the spectacular landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, with stunning views of the Dales second largest natural lake, Semerwater. Guided by a local crafter, explore the museum textile gallery and learn the techniques and processes to create your own felted picture using wool from the alpacas you have met! Lunch is included, provided by the Firebox cafe. Booking essential. £50 per person.Continue reading

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling and explain the construction of this iconic feature of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones, find out how a pile of stones can be turned into something that will last for centuries. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers on this 4 mile (6.4km) walk exploring the flora and fauna in this area. The walk follows part of the riverside where flowers and birds can be seen. Walk along Sedbusk lane to Simonstone, taking in the flowers found on the waysides. On to Shaw Ghyll to see the waterfalls and plants like wild garlic like to grow. Red Squirrels are known to be spotted in this area too! Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £5. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

Visit a local alpaca farm on Raydaleside, meet the animals and take them for a gentle stroll through the spectacular landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, with stunning views of the Dales second largest natural lake, Semerwater. Guided by a local crafter, explore the museum textile gallery and learn the techniques and processes to create your own felted picture using wool from the alpacas you have met! Lunch is included, provided by the Firebox cafe. Booking essential. £50 per person.Continue reading

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers on this short 2.5 mile (3.5km) guided walk and explore the history of Hawes and the village of Gayle. Walking through this lovely market town, discover the origins of Wensleydale cheese, see where the railway once went and follow a section of the Pennine Way. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £3. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

Visit a local alpaca farm on Raydaleside, meet the animals and take them for a gentle stroll through the spectacular landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, with stunning views of the Dales second largest natural lake, Semerwater. Guided by a local crafter, explore the museum textile gallery and learn the techniques and processes to create your own felted picture using wool from the alpacas you have met! Lunch is included, provided by the Firebox café. Booking essential. £50 per person.Continue reading

Explore the process of plaster casting to create some lovely plaster-cast flowers. During this morning workshop, you will explore the plaster casting technique and create a clay mould to use when casting your flowers. There will be a selection of foliage available. However, we recommend that you bring some blooms and plants, which are personal to you. They can be wildflowers, leaves and grasses, lavender, poppies, seedpods or anything that can be carefully selected and pressed into a 10 x 10-inch square. Booking Essential. Adults £35.Continue reading

An illustrated talk by printmaker Hester Cox about her project based on the woodblocks created by Marie Hartley which was exhibited the museum’s 2020 summer exhibition. Bring your donations and enjoy a social evening as part of the Friends of the Museum Annual Gift Day. Free - donations welcome.Continue reading

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers on this 5 mile (8 km) walk to discover the geological forces which formed the Yorkshire Dales. Walk through the site of the former stone mines, Shaw Ghyll and visit the spectacular Hardraw Force, the highest waterfall in England. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £6 plus entrance fee to the Hardraw Force. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers on this short 2.5 mile (3.5km) guided walk and explore the history of Hawes and the village of Gayle. Walking through this lovely market town, discover the origins of Wensleydale cheese, see where the railway once went and follow a section of the Pennine Way. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £3. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling and explain the construction of this iconic feature of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones, find out how a pile of stones can be turned into something that will last for centuries. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

In the Museum’s textile gallery, volunteers will demonstrate rag rug making, patchwork and other textile techniques. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join Mrs H in our traditional Dales Farmhouse Kitchen and discover the history of dairying and how making cheese and butter have changed through the ages. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Let's get hands-on with history! Drop-in craft activities for families. In this activity, we will have a go at making own brooch and explore brooches through the ages. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling and explain the construction of this iconic feature of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones, find out how a pile of stones can be turned into something that will last for centuries. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

In the Museum’s textile gallery, volunteers will demonstrate rag rug making, patchwork and other textile techniques. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join Mrs H in our traditional Dales Farmhouse Kitchen and fine out more about "bringing the drinkings" during hay time when farming families brought out food and drinks to the workers in the fields. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Let's get hands-on with history! Drop-in craft activities for families. In this activity, we will have a look at Rock Art in the Dales and make a replica with clay. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join artist Anji Timlin for a gouache paint workshop and create a summer landscape painting of the Yorkshire Dales, perfect for a postcard. Anji will show you various gouache techniques using brushstrokes and layering. Learn how to use this fun and accessible paint. Choose to paint images and postcards provided by Anji or inspired by the museum’s archives, or bring your own. Materials and lunch included. Booking essential. £55.Continue reading

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling and explain the construction of this iconic feature of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones, find out how a pile of stones can be turned into something that will last for centuries. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join us for this 5.5 mile (8.8km) walk in Herriot country, through fields and along old bridleways with stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales. We will look for evidence of old industries and traditional rural activities as we walk, including local hamlets, villages, barns and lime kilns. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £6. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

In the Museum’s textile gallery, volunteers will demonstrate rag rug making, patchwork and other textile techniques. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join Mrs H in our traditional Dales Farmhouse Kitchen and discover how oatcakes were made in the Yorkshire Dales. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Let's get hands-on with history! Drop-in themed activities for families. In this activity, we will look at archaeological finds and discover what they tell us. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers on this 5 mile (8 km) walk to discover the geological forces which formed the Yorkshire Dales. Walk through the site of the former stone mines, Shaw Ghyll and visit the spectacular Hardraw Force, the highest waterfall in England. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £6 plus entrance fee to the waterfall. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling and explain the construction of this iconic feature of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones, find out how a pile of stones can be turned into something that will last for centuries. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

In this afternoon lecture, Professor William E.Van Vugt will give a talk on the history of those who left North Yorkshire for North America between the eighteenth century and the early twentieth century. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

In the Museum’s textile gallery, volunteers will demonstrate rag rug making, patchwork and other textile techniques. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join Mrs H in our traditional Dales Farmhouse Kitchen and discover the history of bread making and how it has changed from the Roman times to now. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Come along on this 4 mile (6.4km) walk in Herriot country and enjoy panoramic views over Upper Wensleydale. Barns, walls and bridges are important features of Wensleydale and played a crucial part in the development of local industry and agriculture. The walk includes the woodland and waterfalls of Shaw Gill. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £5. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling and explain the construction of this iconic feature of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones, find out how a pile of stones can be turned into something that will last for centuries. Included in Museum admissionContinue reading

Join our experienced Dales Volunteers on this short 2.5 mile (3.5km) guided walk and explore the history of Hawes and the village of Gayle. Walking through this lovely market town, discover the origins of Wensleydale cheese, see where the railway once went and follow a section of the Pennine Way. Starts at the Dales Countryside Museum. Booking Essential. £3. No dogs allowed.Continue reading

In the Museum’s textile gallery, volunteers will demonstrate rag rug making, patchwork and other textile techniques. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join Mrs H in our traditional Dales Farmhouse Kitchen and discover the history of sausages and how they have changed from the Roman times to now. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Let's get hands-on with history! Drop-in craft activities for families. In this activity, we will look at Iron age settlements in the Dales and make a card roundhouse. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join our Dales Volunteers as they showcase the traditional craft of drystone walling and explain the construction of this iconic feature of the National Park landscape. From the foundations to the top stones, find out how a pile of stones can be turned into something that will last for centuries. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

In the Museum’s textile gallery, volunteers will demonstrate rag rug making, patchwork and other textile techniques. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Join Mrs H in our traditional Dales Farmhouse Kitchen and discover how oatcakes were made in the Yorkshire Dales. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Let's get hands-on with history! Drop-in craft activities for families. In this activity, we will have a go at Viking cord making with wool and look at textile survival in the archaeological record. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

An illustrated talk by David Cook from Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group about the vernacular buildings of Wensleydale. Part of the Friends of the Museum annual lecture programme. Free - donations welcome.Continue reading

A demonstration of traditional rug making including both proddy and hooked techniques - included in museum admission.Continue reading

Pop in to find out how cheese and butter were made at home in a traditional Yorkshire Dales` farmhouse. Learn the difference between rennet and whey and see a demonstration of butter making. Part of the Cheese Festival - Celebrating Local Produce. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Learn from the makers themselves (past and present!) Collections from Leeds Archive of Vernacular Culture will showcase Mrs Mary E Scott of West Stonesdale’s traditional ways of making butter and cheese, and a feature on Kit Calvert will shine a light on the history of cheesemaking locally. Part of the Cheese Festival - Celebrating Local Produce. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Dales Countryside Museum followed by an illustrated talk by local historian Bob Ellis on the History and Treasures of the Research Room.Continue reading

Join artist Anji Timlin for an online ink painting workshop in which you will create a Yorkshire Dales landscape. On your autumnal walk, gather objects, photos, thoughts and experiences to use as inspiration for your piece. Anji will demonstrate techniques using Indian and acrylic inks to help you create a fantastic autumnal Dales landscape. Details of materials and equipment to be confirmed when booking. Booking essential. £10.Continue reading

Join Mrs H in our traditional Dales Farmhouse Kitchen and discover the history and different ways of preserving foods, such as pickling and salting. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

Let's get hands-on with history! Drop-in themed activities for families. We will look at animal bones and discover what they can tell us about animals in the past. Included in museum admission.Continue reading

An illustrated talk by Sandy Carter, the development officer of Marrick Priory, about the history of the priory. Part of the Friends of the Museum annual lecture programme. Free - donations welcome.Continue reading

Come and meet Mother Christmas who will have a gift for you in her workshop, write a letter to Santa and post it on our twinkly trail. £8 per child. Booking Essential.Continue reading