Visitor Information
Planning your visit
Everything you need for your visit can be found right here, from where to go first to what to expect once you arrive. Whether you’re popping in for a short walk, staying in one of our lodges, spending longer in the gorge or joining us for activities, this section helps you plan your time and make the most of your day.
You’ll find useful details on pricing, access, and facilities. It’s all designed to help you arrive relaxed, prepared and ready to enjoy your time at How Stean.
Not got your question answered? Just give us a call and we’ll be happy to help!
How Stean Gorge Pricing
You’ll find our current prices for gorge admission below. For full details on pricing for accommodation and our outdoor activities, please see the individual pages.
If you have any specific needs, assistance or questions before booking, please get in touch with the team and we’ll be happy to help where we can.
Single Admission Prices
| Age | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £8 |
| Child (5 -16) | £6 |
| Under 5’s | FREE |
Car Parking
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Customers | Free |
| Non-customers | £5 |
Opening hours
During the Summer period, the cafe is open on Friday and Saturday evenings, you may even find some entertainment! Give us a call to book a table.
Please note, the cafe, gorge and activities are closed on Christmas Day. We are open throughout the festive period for Christmas lodge stays.
If you’re unsure whether we’re open on a specific day, feel free to get in touch before travelling and we’ll be happy to advise.
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Travel Directions
How Stean Gorge is easy to reach, sitting around 45 minutes from the A1 and roughly 35 miles from Leeds or Bradford. If you’re travelling by train, London is around three and a half hours away, with onward transport available to help you reach us. The nearest town is Pateley Bridge, just seven miles away, where brown and white tourist signs guide you the rest of the way.
The final stretch takes you along the valley road beside the River Nidd and Gouthwaite Reservoir, leading you straight to How Stean Gorge. If you don’t have access to a car, we can help with transport.
Satellite Navigation
For sat navs, please use the address and postcode below:
How Stean Gorge
Stean, Lofthouse
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG3 5SF
By BusVisit Website
During the summer months, you can also travel by Nidderdale Dales bus using the scenic Route 821, which runs on Sundays from Harrogate and Pateley Bridge up into Upper Nidderdale, with up to three services continuing on to Scar House.
By RailVisit Website
The nearest railway stations are Harrogate, Skipton and Thirsk. From each station, you’ll need to continue your journey by taxi, or by bus during the summer months when seasonal services run into Upper Nidderdale. If you’d like help planning the final part of your journey, our team is always happy to advise.
By AirVisit Website
Leeds Bradford Airport is the nearest airport, around 27 miles from How Stean Gorge. From the airport, you can continue your journey by taxi, public transport, or by arranging transport with us in advance.
Accessibility at How Stean Gorge
How Stean Gorge is a long-established visitor attraction, offering access to a dramatic natural landscape alongside a café, shop, campsite and a range of outdoor activities. We welcome visitors of all ages and abilities and aim to make as much of the site as accessible as possible, while being upfront about the natural challenges of a limestone gorge environment.
Level access is available from the drop-off area through to the booking area, café and shop, with a ramped main entrance and accessible toilet facilities on site. The glass-floored café and viewing area provides an opportunity to experience the gorge without needing to navigate the paths below. Assistance dogs are welcome across the site, with the exception of participation in outdoor activities.
Accessibility Access around the gorge and activities
The gorge itself follows a network of narrow paths, steps and bridges, some with uneven surfaces, overhanging rock and areas that can be slippery, particularly after wet weather. These routes give access to tunnels, caves and viewpoints and are best suited to visitors who are comfortable moving on uneven ground and managing steps.
Our outdoor activities, including abseiling, canoeing, climbing, caving and gorge walking, are more physically demanding by nature. Wherever possible, our trained instructors work to adapt sessions and offer support, but suitability will depend on the activity and individual needs. All of our team receive disability awareness training and are happy to talk through options in advance.
If you have specific access requirements or would like advice on planning your visit, please get in touch with us before you arrive. We’re always glad to have a conversation and help you decide what will work best for you.