There are lots of the things to do locally but here are some highlights.
Walking
Dust off the boots - we have some of the finest walking in the country.
Through the Dales, up the Three Peaks, over moorland, along the river beds, round reservoirs or lakes - there are routes for all ages and abilities. We are happy to suggest our favourite walks. They can be as gentle or as challenging as you like. We can even do you a packed lunch if you ask us in advance.
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Nature
We have some of the most extraordinary natural attractions and wildlife.
From the strange rocks at Brimham to softly undulating valleys, from craggy outcrops, rivers and waterfalls to wild moorland with acres of sky - the Yorkshire Dales has a huge range of the best that nature has on offer. We have a local nature reserve at Foxglove Covert, deer parks at Hornby and Studley Royal, the gardens at Constable Burton and Harlow Carr and the arboretum and falconry centre at Thorp Perrow. It is all here for you to enjoy and we are happy to share our favourites with you.
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Sport
There are four golf clubs within 15 minutes drive at Bedale, Akebar (formerly Wensleydale) , Catterick and Richmond .
There is horse racing at Catterick (6 miles away), Thirsk (20 miles away), Ripon (22 miles), Redcar, Sedgefield, Wetherby and York. See Racing in Yorkshire for details of all fixtures and events.
Croft Racing Circuit offers bike and car racing, track days, air displays and nostalgia events,
Food and Drink
Guests have easy access to the gourmet experiences offered by Black Sheep and Theakston breweries in Masham, the famous cheese from the Creamery at Hawes, a raft of tea rooms (including Betty’s in Northallerton) and indulge in Brymor ice cream at their parlour near Jervaulx Abbey or Archers’ ice cream parlour in Richmond Station.
Castles and local history
Richard III’s Middleham Castle is a short distance away, as is the Norman castle at Richmond and the family wonders of Bolton Castle. The museum portraying the history of the Green Howards has recently been refurbished and the World of James Herriot is an award winning insight into the 1940s and the life of a rural vet. Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal is also well worth a visit as the most complete original Georgian theatre in the country. Or if you fancy a world heritage site, why not visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal water garden.
Getting around
The Wensleydale Railway offers trips between Leeming and Leyburn with stations at Bedale, Leeming and Finghall. The cycle routes are also excellent and like the walking can be as gentle or as challenging as you like. The Tour de France passed through Leyburn and Reeth in 2014.
Adventure
For those seeking more adventure, we highly recommend the surprising delights of the award winning Forbidden Corner or the adrenaline rush provided by the Krypton Factor assault cause at Adrenalin and the Lightwater Valley theme park for younger visitors.
Further afield
If you want to travel further afield the grandeur of Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle and the Victorian life experiences at Beamish are only 45 minutes away, York with the Shambles and National Railway Museum and Durham with the world heritage sites of the castle and cathedral are within an hour. There are plenty of things to do locally.
