THIRSK HISTORIC MARKET TOWN, JAMES HERRIOT COUNTRY

Thirsk is a traditional North Yorkshire Market town superbly positioned midway between the stunning North York Moors and the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. It is near to the medieval city of York, Harrogate, Ripon and our county town Northallerton.

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YORKSHIRE DALES

The Yorkshire Dales is home to outstanding scenery, a rich cultural heritage and a breathtakingly peaceful atmosphere. At its heart are two very special protected areas – Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – as well as it having the Forest of Bowland AONB and North Pennines AONB as its close neighbours. These protected areas are truly not to be missed.

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FOUNTAINS ABBEY

Fountains Abbey is one of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. It is located approximately 3 miles (5 kilometres) south-west of Ripon in North Yorkshire, near to the village of Aldfield. Founded in 1132, the abbey operated for over 400 years, until 1539, when Henry VIII ordered the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

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NEWBY HALL

The early history of Newby leaves gaps from the thirteenth century, when it was recorded as the property of the Nubie family, who took their name from the place, to the seventeenth century when Newby belonged to Sir Jordan Crossland, appointed Governor of Scarborough Castle by Charles II.

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RIPON CATHEDRAL

Ripon Cathedral is a beautiful, ancient church with a history reaching back to the 7th Century. It is a mother church for the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales and home for the cathedra (throne) of the Bishop of Leeds.

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RIPON, THIRSK, WETHERBY, CATtERICK AND YORK RACES

Enjoy a popular day at the races, with all of these courses within a 40 minute driving distance.

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HARROGATE SPA TOWN

Expect exquisite gardens, beautiful parks, handsome tree-lined boulevards and a chance to lose yourself in the vibrant charm and elegance of this North Yorkshire destination. Harrogate itself is a magnet for visitors, with it’s famous tea room at Betty’s, as well as amazing, high end shops, and parkland to die for in the World famous Stray owned by the monarch, the Duchy of Lancaster.

A spa town, renowned for its quality of water, Harrogate still has so much to offer that it’s high on any itinerary for a visit to Yorkshire.

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BLACK SHEEP AND THEAKSTON'S BREWERY

Major features of today’s Black Sheep Brewery tour are in fact the salvaged wares from other now defunct breweries. The brewing copper, mash tun, hop-back, and the Yorkshire Stone Square fermenting vessels were refugees from other breweries; three of the fermenting vessels were literally snatched from under the ball of a demolition contractor.

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KNARESBOROUGH

Knaresborough is full of surprises, a warren of medieval streets and stone staircases that weave their way up and down the hill. The town centre is perched on the cliffs above the River Nidd and the imposing railway viaduct across the Nidd Gorge offers an amazing view to visitors as they arrive by train.

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HARLOW CARR

Sitting in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, Harlow Carr is a delight in every season and showcases diverse landscapes with different garden styles and an extensive plant collection. The garden has expanded to cover more than 58 acres of garden to explore. If you can’t see it all in a day, why not become a member and enjoy as many free visits as you like.

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CHURCHES

If you wish to visit Church during your stay, All Saints' Church of England is less than 5 minutes walk from The Blue Bell along the road directly facing the pub, and St. Wilfrid's Roman Catholic Church is a 15 minute drive away in Ripon.

Details regarding Services can be found here and here

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For a more comprehensive look at what is on offer in the area click here