Thornton-le-Dale is known as Yorkshire's little gem. It is a pretty village with the beck running through the centre. There are ducks not just in the beck but can be found wandering around the village and also on our own paddock along with the pheasants and other wild life. The little village newsagents sells duck food so visitors can feed our ducks. We have a number of independent shops which are only around 100 yards away from the cottages, (clothing shop, gift shops, gallery, homemade chocolate shop, butchers, bakers, newsagents, general groceries shop, pharmacy, post office, pizza takeaway and one of the best fish & chips takeaway/café in in the area. There are 2 lovely traditional inns which serve great selections of real ale and fabulous food. There is also a few tea rooms and cafes and of course the famous Balderson's Ice cream parlour. We also have a highly acclaimed Bistro, the Brandy Snap (booking is advisable).
There is also the vintage car showroom in the village which is nice to visit.
There are many events throughout the year which take place in Thornton-le-Dale, you can find these on www.visitthorntonledale.co.uk
From our cottages there are several dog walks which are available from the Thornton-le-Dale web site on www.visitthorntonledale.co.uk
Right on our doorstep is Dalby Forest which provides an array of outdoor activities. The forest offers endless tracks and trails for walkers and cyclists and for those seeking adrenaline, ‘Go Ape' with its high-wire tree top adventures provides an exciting day out. We have an annual pass which can be borrowed during your stay (just ask Yvonne or Paul).
Thornton-le-Dale is very central for the coast or some of the many towns and villages on the Moors and is only 30 - 40 minutes drive to York. We have tried to give you a flavour of some of the places you might like to visit.
PICKERING is a lovely market town and home to the North York Moors Steam Railway . Here you can take a ride all the way to Whitby, taking in the wonderful scenery or getting off at one of the picturesque stops along way such as Goathland, where the famous 'Heartbeat' TV series was filmed
It is a bustling market town situated on the southern boundary of the North York Moors National Park. As well as being the centre for services for the outlying villages, the town itself attracts visitors throughout the season for many different reasons. Market day is Monday.
Overlooking the railway and the Pickering Beck is the ruined Pickering Castle, managed by English Heritage. the castle ruins are mainly 11th and 12th century construction (Motte and Bailey Castle) with later additions (and subtractions). After seeing some action during the Civil War, the castle was used by the royal household as a hunting lodge, with the wide ranging forests of Blansby Park to the north. The site is open to visitors daily during the main season, and on some days each week during the Winter season.
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YORK is 23 miles from Thornton Le Dale and is one of the most attractive UK cities. It is a medieval masterpiece and superbly preserved, it has lots of eye-catching features and some great tourist attractions. York's crowning glory is it's Minister, it is the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe, drawing visitors back time after time.
Just wandering the little streets in the shadow of the mighty York Minster is a real treat and an experience not to be missed much improved by the fact it is all pedestrainised.
York hosts the world-famous Jorvik Viking Centre and many marvelous museums including the York Castle Museum and the National railway Museum. York is also home to The Shambles, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe.
Betty's Tea Rooms are famous. They are a real treat where you can enjoy a fat rascal or many other Yorkshire treats with Yorkshire tea, served to perfection in stunning surroundings, but do expect to queue.
HELMSLEY is one of North Yorkshire's most popular market towns, Helmsley is situated on the banks of the River Rye, from which Ryedale takes its name. The market square has a busy street market every Friday. The square is overlooked by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's gothic memorial to the second Baron of Feversham and a stone market cross, and is flanked by attractive shops, pubs and tearooms.
The town is overlooked by the 12th century ruins of Helmsley Castle, with Tudor Manor, now an English Heritage property.
The great estate of Duncombe Park lies on the outskirts of the town, and consists of one of the finest restored houses in Yorkshire, surrounded by an 18th century landscaped green garden and parkland, much of which is designated a National Nature Reserve.
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SCARBOROUGH is about 14 miles from Thornton Le Dale and is lively seaside town which has improved greatly over recent years, certainly there is now some good shopping and eateries as well as lovely beaches. The town can be divided into north and south bays, with the castle ruins on the headland separating the two. Both have excellent beaches.
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WHITBY is about 19 miles from Thornton Le Dale and is surrounded by moors on three sides and the North Sea on the other, the town is full of character and is certainly worth a visit. If you staying for a week then its always best to visit midweek as the weekends do get very busy.
The town has two sides, both very different. The winding narrow streets of East side the streets have a great atmosphere probably similar to market days back in the 17th century.
Fascinating and irregular streets have a range of more unusual shops and lead to the bottom of 199 steps which rise to the magnificent but stark ruins of Whitby Abbey. On this side of the river a few of the jet shops still trade as a reminder of an industry that once supported 1,400 workers in the workshops and mines. The old market square with its stalls, casual entertainment and cobbles has a charm all its own and is surrounded by a mix of cafes, gift shops and tiny buildings.
Fish is still a big deal in the town and fresh fish as well as smoked kippers can be found here alongside the many fish and chip restaurants popular with locals and visitors. No visit to Whitby is complete without a Fish and Chip supper (best ones are The Magpie or Trenchers).
