Pickering is the ideal base for your stay in Ryedale. One day is not nearly long enough to appreciate all there is to do in the area; make sure you book several days at Bramwood! Spend a day in Pickering itself. This small market town, home to less than 7,000 inhabitants, boasts a variety of excellent family run shops offering a friendly personal service which may surprise city dwellers. There are branches of several large banks (with cash machines) a post office and a recently modernised public library offering internet access. There is a daily covered Flea Market and a small street market on Mondays.

The Parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul dates back to Norman times, with the tower being added in the 13th Century. Most importantly, perhaps, it houses “the most complete collection of medieval wall paintings in England” (Nicholas Pevsner) which attract thousands of visitors per year. www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/

The Beck Isle Museum with its 27 rooms covers many aspects of local, social and family history & militaria. It is also home to the Sydney Smith photographic collection of photographic equipment and local photography depicting local history and landscapes from the early 20th century. www.beckislemuseum.co.uk

Pickering Castle was originally a wooden structure started by William the Conqueror. It was replaced by a stone version in later years. Subsequently it was a royal hunting lodge and a royal holiday retreat and many of its walls and towers remain today. 
www.castlexplorer.co.uk/england/pickering/pickering.php

The North York Moors Railway is one of the longest and most popular heritage railways in the country. It will take you on a journey through some breathtaking scenery. Railway buffs will enjoy the variety of steam trains themselves, the viewing sheds at Grosmont and the lovingly restored and tended stations. Fascinating stuff, and not just for “anoraks”! TV watchers will enjoy Goathland’s association with “Heartbeat” and Hogwarts Station of Harry Potter fame. www.nymr.co.uk

Just 7 miles away (and easily accessible by bus) is Eden Camp, the award winning modern history theme museum. Constructed in the huts of a former POW camp built in 1942, it gives a unique and fascinating insight into life in Britain during World War II. Allow a minimum of 3 or 4 hours for your visit, and prepare to feel exhausted and overwhelmed afterwards! www.edencamp.co.uk

No visit to this area could be considered complete without spending at least a day in York. If you want to leave the car behind, travel the 28 miles from Pickering to York centre in 1 hour 10 minutes by Coastliner bus, or drive to one of the Park & Ride car parks.

Visit The Minster, climb the tower, go down the crypt www.yorkminster.org. Walk the walls by day www.visityork.org/explore.  Hunt the ghouls by night www.ghosthunt.co.uk.  Ride the Yorkshire Wheel www.nrm.org.uk/events/wheel.asp. Cruise the Ouse on a guided river trip www.yorkboat.co.uk. Learn about Vikings www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk. If you lose all your money at the races www.yorkracecourse.co.uk don’t forget that admission to the National Railway Museum is free www.nrm.org.uk. And if you get lucky at the races, the shopping’s rather good as well!

The historic market town of Helmsley is a 15 mile drive or bus ride. Visit the Castle, and the Walled Garden which is being lovingly and expertly restored by a team of devoted volunteers. www.helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk

If you feel the call of the sea, go the 20 miles to Whitby. Visit the Abbey, St. Mary’s Church, the Captain Cook Museum, climb the 199 steps, eat fish ‘n’ chips, and be on the lookout for Dracula at all times. If donkeys on a sandy beach appeal, then Scarborough is for you and only 18 miles distant. Again, both these destinations are accessible by a regular bus service from Pickering, and check the North York Moors railway timetable for details of the Earlybird service which provides through trips all the way from Pickering to Whitby.

Many people feel that a visit to this area is incomplete without a trip to Castle Howard www.castlehoward.co.uk, the magnificent 18th century house (of Brideshead Revisited fame) with 1000 acres of parkland, lakes, gardens, statues, fountains and shops.

There are several other historic houses and gardens of note, Duncombe Park, Burton Agnes, Sledmere. The contemporary Walled Garden at Scampston attracts many visitors. Our personal favourite is Wytherstone Gardens at Pockley, near Helmsley. Check the website for opening times and dates www.wytherstonegardens.com.

Regular fossil hunting events www.dinocoast.org.uk

The deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy is well worth a visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

North York Moors Hotels, iknow-yorkshire.co.uk