North Yorkshire

When visiting North Yorkshire You will be spoilt for choice when deciding how to spend your day. There won't be enough time to do all the wonderful things on offer but at least you will have a good excuse for a return visit.

North Yorkshire's famous son, James Herriot, hails from the picturesque market town of Thirsk which now boasts a visitor centre in his honour situated at Skeldale House, 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk.

Visit the rooms featured in the stories of his work and life and see the car used in the TV show along with equipment of his day.

For the adventurous the theme parks at Flamingo

Land, near Malton and Lightwater Valley, Ripon (home of the longest rollercoaster in Europe - The Ultimate) provide excitement and fun for all the family.

Railway fans can enjoy the Steam age on the North Yorkshire Moors railway, which will take you from Pickering to Grosmont.

You can enjoy the scenery of' Heartbeat' country and call in at Goathland, the village of 'Aidensfield' in the show.

Also picturesque Settle to Carlisle railway, a great feat of engineering, built by the Irish navvies in the 19thC. You can enjoy stunning scenery and cross the famous Ribblehead Viaduct.

York has a wealth of museums, galleries, walks and tours to offer including an evening walk looking for Ghosts! The Minster is a good starting point as are the City walls, which take about 2 hours to go round.

The award winning National Railway Museum has something for all the family and will provide hours of interest (free entry). The Yorvik Viking Museum and the Castle Museum are highly interesting and give an interesting insight into the life of York from days gone by.18 miles from York you will find the market town of Malton and Eden Camp.

Eden Camp is an award winning visitor attraction, which recreates the War years and is the only modern history theme museum of its type in the World. You will experience the sights and sounds and even the smells of the times.

The Wensleydale market town of Hawes is home to the creamery where the famous Wensleydale cheese is made, the Dales countryside museum offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the Dales people through the ages and be equally fascinated at WR Outhwaite and Sons the Ropemaker next door where you can see the ropes being made in a traditional way.

The RHS Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate are open all year round and cater for all tastes and ages. All kinds of plant life can be seen here and its 58 acres make it a relaxing and yet stimulating day out. Here you will also find the National Rhubarb collection.Nearby the market town of Knaresborough was the home of Mother Shipton, England's most famous Prophetess, some 500 years ago and you can visit the cave and petrifying well where everyday objects after a time will turn to stone.

If you want to relax you can absorb the 200-acre Stray and the colourful parks and gardens of Harrogate or even be very pampered at the Turkish Baths.

Retail therapy and abundant cafes and bars make for a pleasant day out here after which of course you can retire to your farmhouse accommodation to plan your next day out!