Yorkshire Dales National Park covers around 2,179 km2 of limestone moorland, river valleys, and market towns - and finding an affordable base here is entirely possible if you know where to look. This guide cuts through the noise to show you the best cheap hotels, inns, and hostels across the Dales, from Hawes and Settle to Ingleton and Richmond, so you can spend less on accommodation and more on the landscape itself.
What It's Like Staying in Yorkshire Dales National Park
Staying inside the Dales means waking up within walking distance of fells, waterfalls, and drystone walls - but it requires planning. Public transport is extremely limited, with most visitors relying on a car; bus services run infrequently and connect only the largest villages. Accommodation villages like Hawes, Settle, and Richmond act as informal hubs, but even these quieten dramatically after 9pm. Crowds concentrate around Aysgarth Falls, the Forbidden Corner, and Bolton Abbey during summer weekends, while midweek stays in shoulder season offer genuine solitude. Budget travellers, walkers, and cyclists benefit most from staying inside the park; those wanting nightlife, chain restaurants, or easy rail access are better positioned in Harrogate or Leeds.
Pros:
- Immediate access to trailheads, waterfalls, and dales villages without driving into the park each day
- Accommodation is typically quieter and more characterful than equivalent-price chain hotels in nearby cities
- Strong community of independent pubs and restaurants serving local produce at accessible prices
Cons:
- No reliable public transport between villages - a car is effectively essential for most itineraries
- Very limited late-night food and entertainment options across most Dales villages
- Popular properties book up around 6 weeks ahead during summer and bank holiday weekends
Why Choose Budget Hotels in Yorkshire Dales National Park
Budget accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales doesn't mean sacrifice - it means choosing inns, pub-with-rooms, and YHA hostels that are deeply embedded in the local landscape. Unlike budget chain hotels near motorways, Dales budget properties are typically stone-built, centrally located in their village, and often include a working pub or restaurant on-site. Prices at budget inns and hostels here can run around 40% less than equivalent rural hotel rates in comparable national parks like the Lake District, particularly midweek. Room sizes in inn-style properties are usually compact - expect standard double rooms rather than suites - but the trade-off is character, free parking, and often a full cooked breakfast included or available at low cost. Hostels in the Dales, particularly YHA properties, offer dorm and private room options that suit solo walkers and groups on tight budgets.
Pros:
- Free private parking at most budget inns - a real saving given the car-dependency of the area
- On-site pubs and restaurants mean you don't need to drive after dinner
- Many budget options include or offer full English breakfast, reducing daily food spend significantly
Cons:
- Rooms are often small with limited storage - not suitable for long stays with large luggage
- Some properties close their kitchens early (before 9pm), limiting dining flexibility
- WiFi quality can be inconsistent in remote Dales villages due to rural infrastructure
Practical Booking & Area Strategy
The Yorkshire Dales has no single dominant accommodation hub - your best base depends entirely on which part of the park you want to explore. Richmond and Settle are the most practical budget bases, each offering road access to multiple dales, a range of eating options, and proximity to key attractions: Richmond sits near the Swale valley and is around 20 km from Aysgarth Falls, while Settle gives fast access to the Three Peaks and the scenic Ribble Valley. Hawes is the best base for upper Wensleydale - it's central, walkable, and close to Hardraw Force waterfall. Ingleton is ideal for those targeting the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail and the Three Peaks without paying Lake District prices. For walkers following the Coast to Coast route, Kirkby Stephen on the eastern edge is a logical overnight stop. Book at least 5 weeks ahead for any weekend stay between late May and September - budget properties here are small and fill fast, particularly those with free parking and on-site dining.
Best Value Stays
These properties offer the strongest combination of price, location, and practical facilities for budget travellers exploring the Yorkshire Dales - all include free parking and on-site food or drink options.
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1. Bolton Arms Downholme
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Check-infrom 13:00 until 22:00Check-outfrom 09:00 until 10:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 87
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2. The Black Horse Inn
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Check-infrom 14:00 until 22:30Check-outfrom 08:00 until 10:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 116
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3. Masons Freehouse
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 22:30Check-outuntil 10:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 82
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4. Yha Hawes
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Check-infrom 17:00 until 22:00Check-outuntil 10:00Hurry – almost gone at this price!
from£ 74
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5. Kirkby Stephen Hostel
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Check-infrom 13:00 until 21:00Check-outuntil 10:00Hurry – almost gone at this price!
from£ 32
Best Pub-Style Budget Stays
These two properties deliver the classic Yorkshire pub-with-rooms experience at budget prices - strong on atmosphere, on-site food, and proximity to key landmarks.
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1. The Castle Tavern Pub & Guest Rooms
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Check-infrom 14:00 until 21:00Check-outfrom 08:00 until 10:00Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
from£ 69
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7. The Saddle Room
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 21:00Check-outuntil 10:00Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
from£ 133
Smart Travel & Timing Advice
The Yorkshire Dales sees its highest visitor pressure between late July and late August, when popular sites like Aysgarth Falls and the Forbidden Corner attract significant weekend crowds and budget accommodation fills quickly. Prices at budget inns typically rise around 25% during bank holiday weekends compared to equivalent midweek stays. The shoulder seasons - late April through June and September through October - offer the strongest combination of good weather, open trails, and available rooms at standard rates. Winter walking is possible and increasingly popular, particularly around Wensleydale and Swaledale, but check that on-site restaurants are open year-round before booking - some rural pubs reduce operating days significantly between November and March. A 2-night minimum stay is the practical sweet spot for most Dales itineraries; one night rarely allows time for more than a single valley, while three or more nights suits walkers tackling multi-day routes like the Pennine Way or Dales Way. Book directly or via comparison platforms at least 5 weeks ahead for any May-September weekend stay.
