Book a self-catering cottage break in Masham for Beer and a Taste of the Yorkshire Dales! Masham in the Yorkshire Dales is a delightful, small market town in Yorkshire’s Lower Wensleydale area, chiefly known for its big sheep market and its two breweries. The town is dominated by its large market square. With galleries, antique shops, cafes, tea rooms, traditional pubs and restaurants, this town has plenty of facilities to offer for a cottage holiday.
What Masham offers for Self-Catering Breaks
Masham’s main visitor attractions are its two breweries. St. Mary’s Church though is also worth a mention as it is rather beautiful and dates back to Norman times. The two neighbouring breweries are the Black Sheep Brewery and Theakstons. If you want to learn about traditional brewing methods and the secrets direct from the experts of real ale, both breweries organise guided tours for the public (booking is recommended) and have visitor’s centres. Theakstons is well known for its Old Peculiar Bitter and its history is revealed in its Museum of Brewing. The public is also invited to watch a barrel making demonstration. For dining, the Bistro at the Black Sheep Brewery has a superb reputation. During the tour, both breweries give a taste of the products at the bar and you can take home a reminder of your visit. The annual Black Sheep Brewery Boots & Beer Walking Festival is a fun combination of walks in the Dales, entertainment and ales. For some there could be no better way to spend time on a self-catering break.
The town was given a market charter in 1250, making it one of the first markets in Britain. There are two market days each week, so you can wander round the market square and its stalls on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The end of September always brings the Masham Sheep Fair. This isn’t just for farmers as visitors find entertainment and events and the opportunity to contribute to charity.
Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally takes place in July and it’s a weekend full of shiny tractors, steam wagons and different kinds of agricultural and steam engines. Families with children of all ages have a great time with young children particularly liking the street organs and fair organs on show. The Munich Octoberfest Concert Organ (the biggest travelling organ in the world) is always a popular attraction wherever it goes. Good quality local produce is also put on show under the banner, Tastes of the Dales, and craft displays fascinate the young and old.
For art lovers, Masham Art Gallery provides a high standard in paintings, prints, ceramics and jewellery and there are also toys for the kids and gifts to take home. If you time your stay here just right, you may be able to participate in one of their art workshops. The Masham Arts Festival also takes place every other year in October with workshops and lectures.
If you have in mind a Christmas break, the town is a charming spectacle with a Victorian market and a procession led by torchlight and carol singing. The special market, from early December, is an enjoyable way of finding last minute presents and sampling some more of that tasty Dales produce. View cottages available for Christmas.
Masham is a good place to stay to explore the attractions of the region including Jervaulx Abbey and Fountains Abbey. The towns of Harrogate and Ripon are also reasonably easily accessible from here for day trips. There are also numerous scenic walks that await the active family on holiday.
Read about Yorkshire holiday cottages available to rent for self-catering breaks in Masham and choose an inviting place to stay.
Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in Masham, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in North Yorkshire.
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