Askrigg makes an excellent base for a self-catering break in the Yorkshire Dales. The village sits in Wensleydale with the River Ure running close by, a cluster of old stone cottages, and footpaths leaving in almost every direction. Just as importantly for mixed-ability groups, you can choose between flat riverside ambles and proper hill climbs without moving the car. Below are five walks that work well from a holiday cottage in the village, with notes on distance, terrain and who they suit.

Why Askrigg suits mixed-ability groups

One of the joys of basing yourself here is that walking groups can split up and still meet for lunch. A grandparent can take the riverside path while a fitter pair heads up onto the moor, and everyone is back in the village within a couple of hours. Most routes start within a few hundred metres of the cottage doors, so there is no faff with parking and no long drive before boots hit the ground.

Bring sturdy footwear with decent grip whatever the forecast. Even the gentler paths can be muddy after rain, and the limestone and gritstone underfoot gets slippery in the wet. A lightweight waterproof jacket lives in the day bag year round up here.

The gentle one: Askrigg to Worton and back

Distance: about 1.5 miles each way. Time: 1 to 1.5 hours. Terrain: quiet lane, field paths, very little climbing.

This is the walk to choose on a drizzly morning, with tired legs, or with small children who need a destination. From the village centre, head west on the lane signposted to Worton and follow it as it drops gently towards the river. The path stays low, tracing field edges and a stretch of the Ure, with wide views back to the village and the church tower poking above the rooftops.

Worton itself is a hamlet of a few farms and cottages, with a shallow ford and a bench or two where you can stop for a flask and a flapjack. In dry summer weather the lane is manageable with an all-terrain pushchair, though the field sections can be churned up by cattle. Turn round whenever you like; the return leg is all gently uphill but never steep.

Mill Gill Force: short, steep and worth it

Distance: roughly 1.5 miles round trip. Time: 45 minutes to an hour. Terrain: woodland path with steps, roots and a steady climb.

Askrigg's nearest waterfall is a proper little adventure packed into a short outing. Leave the village heading north and pick up the signed path that climbs through Mill Gill. The gradient is steady rather than brutal, but there are stone steps and tree roots to negotiate, so this one is not suitable for buggies or anyone unsteady on their feet.

The reward is a curtain of water tumbling into a rocky amphitheatre, best after rain and often busy with photographers on a sunny afternoon. Children love the boardwalk sections and the noise of the falls. Keep dogs close, and take care on the wet rocks near the viewpoint. If you have energy left, you can continue upstream towards Whitfield Gill for a longer outing.

Riverside to Bainbridge

Distance: about 1.5 miles each way. Time: 1.5 hours with a stop. Terrain: mainly level riverside path and minor road.

Heading east along the Ure towards Bainbridge gives you a flat, sociable walk with plenty to look at. The path meanders beside the river, past small cascades and pools, before arriving at Yore Bridge and the edge of the village. Bainbridge has a handsome green with old stocks, and the humps and bumps of a Roman fort just beyond it.

This is a good choice for a mixed group because the route is straightforward and there are several ways to vary the return: retrace your steps beside the water, or come back along the lane for a slightly quicker finish. Casual walkers can potter at half pace and still be sitting down with a coffee within the hour.

Bigger views: Addlebrough and the common

Distance: 3.5 to 4 miles. Time: 2 to 2.5 hours. Terrain: moorland tracks, some boggy patches, around 200 metres of ascent.

When the group wants a proper lungful of Wensleydale air, Addlebrough is the hill to aim for. This flat-topped landmark rises to the south of the valley and gives sweeping views over Askrigg, Bainbridge and the hills beyond. The climb is steady rather than steep, mostly on good tracks, with a final pull to the summit cairn.

A shorter alternative is a loop onto Askrigg Common towards Sedbusk, which offers much of the same scenery in about three miles. Wear boots rather than trainers, carry water, and expect wet ground underfoot after heavy rain. In spring and early summer, keep dogs on leads where ground-nesting birds are about.

Practical notes for your stay

• Maps: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL30 covers the area and is worth having in paper form, as phone signal is patchy in the gills and on the moor.
• Timings: aim to finish low-level walks before dusk; lights fade early in winter and lanes are unlit.
• Footwear: waterproof boots with ankle support for anything above the village; grippy trainers are fine for the riverside on a dry day.
• Refreshments: the village has places for a pub lunch, a cream tea or a pint at the end of a walk, so leave room in the plan.
• Respect the working landscape: close gates, keep to footpaths across farmland, and give livestock plenty of space, especially with dogs.
• Parking: leave the car at the cottage and walk from the door; village parking is limited and best left for residents and visitors popping into the shops.

Pack a small rucksack with waterproofs, water and a snack, tell someone which route you are taking, and these short walks from Askrigg will fill a self-catering week with easy variety.