Yorkshire is a angelic county with open moors, dales and mountainous landscapes divided by valleys and ancient towns. York is the region's capital, in Roman times 2nd only in influence to London and is still very much the heart of Yorkshire. It has survived the Romans, the Saxons and the Normans and carries numerous mysteries and secrets in its walls and tunnels.
Castle Howard is based 15 miles north east of York, just off the A64. The magnificent house has a charming 18th century Walled Garden and 1,000 acres of gardens offering breathtaking views towards the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds. Free guided outdoor tours take abode daily between March and October revealing the secrets of the gardens and the architecture. Castle Howard also offers six unique shops - an award-winning farm shop, chocolate shop, plant centre, a bookshop and two gift shops - as well as a restaurant and cafe.
The Whitby Pavilion is Whitby's greatest theatre and function venue and suggests year round diversion from stage shows, dances, concerts, festivals and children's events to exhibitions. Please telephone 01947 604855 for further details on performances and events. While in Whitby, look around the Whitby Wizard Science middle and be fond of 100 experiments and a specialist science gift shop. If it's outdoor diversion you're after, a trip to Brimham Rocks near Harrogate could be just what you're searching for. Enjoy dramatic views over Nidderdale from a vantage point of nearly 300m. Fantastic rock formations of millstone grit, carved out over thousands of years by the actions of the weather, are rich in wildlife. Admission is free, but facilities might close in bad weather.
There is no shortage of High Street stores and shopping centres in York, but if you are after something a little different, a trip to the famed Mouseman middle in Kilburn might be just what you are searching for. The attractively restored village joiner's shop is crammed overflowing of unusual furniture and smaller items these as breadboards, judge's gavels and serviette holders, greater of which carry an adorable hand-carved mouse in some shape or form. The Pickering Antique middle is another treasure trove for collectors. Over 45 dealers sell a wide range of goods including paintings, furniture, china and porcelain, brass and copperware, postcards, books, clocks and ancient toys. Admission is free and opening times are Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.
If you are concerned about parking problems or traffic jams in the city centre, why not consider using one of the many Park & Ride areas that York has to offer - Rawcliffe pub (Clifton Moor), Monks Cross (Huntington), Grimston pub (Hull Road), Askham public house (Tadcaster Road) or McArthur Glen Designer Outlet. The seaside city of Scarborough also has numerous Park & Ride opportunities and suggests high terrific buses operating every 12 minutes to the seafront and city centre in less than 15 minutes.
York is an experience that shouldn't be missed - from the world-glorious cathedral and countless to its eerie ghost walks and the musicians in the market berth - there is never a dull moment in this delicate place.