Thirsk

[Newtrix]

Hello, hoping to book a cottage near Thirsk for next year and I'm after some hidden gem suggestions. We love good food, lovely walks/hikes, random activities and love animals. Just my husband and I. We've done Fountains Abbey, Brimham Rocks and Thorp Perrow a few times.

Many thanks.

Coxwold and Kilburn are nice villages ( Robert Thompson the mouse man woodcarver has a studio at Kilburn)….ampleforth college is lovely …the tearooms. Have reopened and all the furniture is Robert Thompson ….Yorkshire lavender is the best lavender farm I have ever visited and the lavender scone and lavender jam cream teas are just lovely ( Terrington bank)

These are all amazing suggestions and just the kind of thing we'd love, especially Robert Thompson, thank you so much!

Helmsley, Rievaulx Abbey, Sutton Bank, White Horse of kilburn.

Thirsk seems an odd choice for a holiday destination? In any case, the only place round there you can really visit if you've no kids with you, is either Eden Camp as a PP mentioned or the coast. For which I'd suggest Saltburn

Quite a long way from Thirsk! Especially Yorkshire Lavender

32 minutes drive via the a19….. do you not like to drive?

or via b roads around 10 minutes more….with a chance to see the beautiful howardian hills

OP said she did brimham rocks last time….which is a 36 minute drive

Mount Grace Priory is worth a visit.

Helmsley is a lot nicer than Thirsk imo, is there a reason you want to go to Thirsk?

I don’t think it’s an odd choice! I holiday in the Yorkshire Dales every year. The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park is lovely. If you are looking for something unusual - have a look at Nidderdale Llamas for various trekking options.

We tend to do a lot of long walks and leisurely pubs when we are there. But I never miss a trip to Betty’s (usually Harrogate but sometimes York) for either brunch or afternoon tea.

Why’s it an odd choice…it’s lovely round there….loads of little places to visit

What an odd statement.

Maybe get the Geocache app, you will find all sorts of treasures you would have otherwise overlooked.

I’d second this!

James Herriot museum is a must see in Thirsk isn’t it?! At least for all the veterinary gadgets from days of yore! Been on my bucket list for a while!!

Newby hall has really lovely gardens.

Castle Howard is an easy trip

Nunnington hall is a pleasant NT property/garden.

Hutton le Hole is very nice and we enjoyed the Ryedale Folk museum on a visit there last year.

But I never miss a trip to Betty’s (usually Harrogate but sometimes York) for either brunch or afternoon tea.

You're missing the obvious from Thirsk, which is the Northallerton branch - not been in years but I'm pretty sure it's still likely to be quieter and no queues.

And there's a Betty's (or two?) at Harlow Carr gardens as well.

Do it!
what I love about thirsk is that all the commercial premises have knitted handling baskets …..so the butchers hanging basket is full of sausages, bacon, chops etc……the bakery basket is full of cakes, biscuits…..the florists is full of knitted flowers……you get the idea ….so lovely.

Just seems like a handy location when we've been in the past.

Why is it odd?

Sutton Bank
Old Mother Shipton Cave (and Knaresborough itself)
Richmond, including the castle

We love Nidderdale llamas! Haven't been in 3 or 4 years so definitely adding that onto the list.

Love a long walk and pub so any suggestions would be great.

Thanks so much everyone for your fab ideas, definitely helped cement the idea of a week there next year. And not such an odd choice after all!!

Is not odd OP …….. ignore.

There’s a few circular walks starting from hovingham