Yorkshire is a appealing county with open moors, dales and mountainous landscapes divided by valleys and ancient municipals. York is the region's capital, in Roman times 2nd only in reputation 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 posted 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 locality daily between March and October revealing the secrets of the gardens and the architecture. Castle Howard also promotes six unique shops - an award-winning farm shop, chocolate shop, plant middle, a bookshop and two gift shops - as well as a restaurant and cafe.

In the Yorkshire Moors and Coast you can bring past to life by visiting castles, tiny country churches, fascinating museums and magnificent stately homes. If it's adventure you're after, there is no better hangout to find it than Go Ape! High Wire Forest Adventure in Dalby Forest. Take to the trees and experience an exhilarating course of rope bridges, Tarzan swings and zip slides up to 60 feet above the forest floor. For a more relaxing experience, Doodlepots Paint Your Own Pottery Studio in Whitby provides jesting for every one of ages. Travellers may select a pot and paint it with no time limit and the studio will then glaze and fire the pot.

Forget one-fashion systems, extortionate parking charges and tedious traffic jams! Head for Monks Cross Shopping Park or Clifton Moor Retail Park, both easily accessible from the A1237 York Outer Ring Road. All major High Street stores are represented there, including Marks & Spencer, Boots, Monsoon, Clarks, Top Shop, New Look, Next, River Island, W H Smith, BHS, PC World, Dunelm Mill, Wilkinson's, Wickes, Tesco's, Matalan, Roseby's, Pets at Home and Argos. There are also multitudinous restaurants, cafes, diversion complexes and fitness centres to choose from. Thousands of free parking bays and late night shopping will help to make a trip to Monks Cross or Clifton Moor a play and fruitful experience for the whole family.

If you are concerned about parking problems or traffic jams in the town centre, why not consider using one of the legions Park & Ride spots that York has to offer - Rawcliffe pub (Clifton Moor), Monks Cross (Huntington), Grimston bar (Hull Road), Askham pub (Tadcaster Road) or McArthur Glen Designer Outlet. The seaside city of Scarborough also has myriads Park & Ride opportunities and offers high splendid buses operating every 12 minutes to the seafront and town centre in less than 15 minutes.

York is the perfect city for young and ancient alike and there are more than enough gravitation to amuse the whole family. In the places and villages, independent retailers sit alongside galleries displaying arts and crafts of those inspired by the divine countryside, while welcoming public houses with roaring fires and local ale are found on every corner.