North Yorkshire is one of the most beautiful parts of Britain. Home to two National Parks - the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors; two walled cities (Richmond and York); 16 National Trust properties (including the beautiful Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal) and no fewer than 27 castles – it’s got the lot. When Le Tour de France came to the UK the Yorkshire Dales was the starting point. Therefore, if it is good for Le Tour de France then it is sure to please the cycle enthusiasts and those who see themselves more advance.
It's an ideal location for camping, for lovers of the great outdoors this is the place for you. There are large and small campsites, a local gem is the wild camping at Nether Hesleden, which offers a rolling expanse of grassland enclosed by limestone walls and bisected by a shallow river full of secret swimming holes and crabby rock pools to keep curious kids happy.
The site lies in the sheltered lowlands of Littondale, the original inspiration for Emmerdale (the ancient name of the dale is Amerdale). Nether Hesleden is a mile outside Litton, a charming hamlet with an excellent whitewashed pub, the Queens Arms (thequeensarmslitton.co.uk), serving good food and home-brewed ales.
From Litton, it’s an easy walk (an hour on country lanes) or ten minutes’ drive to Win Bank – an ideal vantage point to view an uphill section of the bike race. There’s even a celebratory party in the village hall on race night.
CHECK OUT THE YORKSHIRE COAST
Along with dales, vales and valleys, North Yorkshire is home to the Heritage Coast, some 45 miles of craggy cliffs, sandy beaches and fishing towns. Highlights include Scarborough, with its grandly fading waterfront, and Whitby, where seagulls swarm outside The Magpie – England’s top chippy. Arguably the most atmospheric spot is Robin Hood’s Bay, where red-roofed fishermen’s cottages tumble down to a tidal slipway. The village has a long history as a smuggling cove and is riddled with concealed passageways and secret fireplaces.
Children will love the vast sweep of its fossil-filled beach, where a leisurely walk takes you past the brilliantly named Boggle Hole to a colony of grey seals at Ravenscar. Grown-ups will appreciate the three great pubs.
Holiday cottages line the snaking, flower-filled alleyways – try Holmlea (yorkshireholidaycottages.co.uk), a gorgeous former captain’s house that’s set over three bijou levels. With lovely slate-flagged floors, rustic-chic decor and the light-flooded bedrooms with sea views. The best bit? A charming garden room with a fireplace converted into airy dining room overlooking the private garden.
IN TIME FOR MALTON FOOD FESTIVAL
This smart market town is in the throes of an epicurean renaissance at the hands of one very driven chap. Tom Naylor-Leyland is the heir to a property dynasty spanning half the country but it’s local Yorkshire produce that he’s really sunk his teeth into.
The brain child of a local named Naylor-Leyland (the heir to a property dynasty spanning half the country), the Malton Food Lovers Festival is free and happens in May 25 (maltonyyorkshire.co.uk). The festival alone attracts 25,000 visitors.
Visitors can expect the very best of Yorkshire produce, live cookery demonstrations, more than 160 food stalls and exciting street food.
Visist the Forbidden Corner ( theforbiddencorner.co.uk), a weird and wonderful day out for families. Built in the grounds of Tupgill Park Estate, it’s a manmade mystery garden of impossible mazes, lunatic labyrinths, hidden chambers and terrifying towers.
If after visiting you fall in love with it, then you are not alone. The Sunday Times has it on its Best Places To Live list, eight of the towns were in North Yorkshire, with the top spot going the country’s very own Skipton, for ‘big-hearted, buzzy life in a small town’.