The Prettiest Villages in North Yorkshire

Yorkshire is peppered with chocolate box villages, from its wonderful coastline on the east to the dramatic Dales to the west. You can’t go more than a few miles in this wonderful place without stumbling upon one. But which ones in particular are worth making that extra bit of effort to seek out and enjoy. We’ve cherry picked just of the prettiest villages in Yorkshire below, but there are dozens more which could be on the list.
If you fancy checking out some of these villages yourself take a look at some of the Gorgeous Yorkshire Holiday Cottages that you can stay in for a weekend break or holiday. Let’s exploce The Prettiest Villages in North Yorkshire.

The Prettiest Villages in North Yorkshire

Hutton le Hole – North York Moors

This beautiful village sits in a peaceful valley in the North York Moors National Park, it couldn’t be more idyllic. Picture postcard cottages sit contentedly on either side of a babbling beck while sheep wander about the village keeping the grass neat and tidy. On balmy summer evenings, you can still catch groups of men in flat caps playing the local game of quoits. And with a handful of tea rooms and a great village pub, there are plenty of options for eats too.
The excellent (and dog friendly) Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton le Hole is an outdoor museum where you can learn about the history and heritage of the North York Moors through a collection of historic buildings and traditional workshops. Buildings range from an Iron Age roundhouse through to a 1950s style village shop.

West Burton – Yorkshire Dales

Just off the beaten track from Wensleydale to Bishopdale, West Burton is another one of those villages which just define the word pretty. A large village green flanked with old stone cottages is the centre point, with a waterfall and packhorse bridge to finish the scene. The stunning Jervaulx Abbey is just a hop, skip and a jump away too.
Make sure to seek out the beautiful Burton Fall waterfall which is just a short walk from the centre of West Burton and was once sketched by the artist J. M. Turner. West Burton is also just 2 miles from one of Yorkshire’s most famous waterfalls, Aysgarth Falls. The dramatic triple falls here were featured in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Osmotherley – North York Moors

Nestled between the glorious Cleveland Hills to the north and the Hambleton Hills to the south, Osmotherley occupies an enviable location on the western cusp of the moors. Something of a tourist hot spot these days, it retains an old world charm without succumbing to the twee. There are several lovely cafes and pubs to enjoy in and around Osmotherley and the village is flanked by some of the finest scenery in the moors.
Osmotherley is a perfect base for a walking holiday it’s located on the 119 mile Cleveland Way which is one of England’s National Trails and turned 50 in 2019. A short walk to try is the 3 mile route from Osmotherley to nearby Mount Grace Priory it’s one of only nine Carthusian priories in the country.

Robin Hood’s Bay

Venture just a few miles south of Whitby and you’ll find the gravity defying picture postcard village of Robin Hood’s Bay. Once home to the busiest smuggling trade on the Yorkshire coast, said to involve fisherman, clergy and gentry alike, today the village has adopted a much more sedate pace of life. Take some time to enjoy the heavenly view at the top before venturing down the steep streets to the sandy bay below. There are plenty of pit stops to whet your whistle on the way down, as well as some quaint shops to distract you from the steep climb back up.
Delve into the smuggling past of Robin Hood’s Bay on an atmospheric ghost walk. You’ll hear tales of local folklore, shipwrecks and mysterious spirits as you explore the maze of cobbled streets and alleys by lamplight. Afterwards you can call in a characterful Robin Hood’s Bay pub like The Laurel to sooth your frazzled nerves.

Kettlewell

Kettlewell is an enchanting collection of 17th and 18th century houses tucked away in a lush green valley in the Yorkshire Dales. There are several inns and tea rooms to refuel if you’re just passing through, but it’s worth stopping awhile to enjoy the slow pace of life. And you are surrounded by some of the best walking in the Dales, from gentle strolls along the river to a serious hike up Coverhead Pass.
Kettlewell was featured heavily in the Calendar Girls film where it doubled as the fictional village of Knapeley. It’s worth watching the film before visiting Kettlewell so you can recognise the locations used including the village hall, garage, church and pub. Discover more famous Yorkshire filming locations.