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.

The Hanging Stones - it's a new immersive art walk by Andy Goldsworthy in the moors - about 6 miles - I did it with the DC this summer and it's extraordinary and moving and we all loved it. Also, if you haven't already been, Thirsk Hall Sculpture Park. Also, if you're there on the first Saturday of the month, the Fur and Feathers auction (in Thirsk) is fun. Finally, Castle Howard.

What's the geocache app?

Odd, really?
There speaks someone who doesn’t have a DD utterly obsessed with All Creatures Great and Small and who hasn’t spent the summer not only in Thirsk, at the museum, but travelling the locations and hours on end sitting in Grassington whilst they filmed two minute shots that all seemed to take at least two hours each (thank god it was sunny and warm, even though they were filming the Christmas episode). Things I do for that girl…..

It’s basically a sort of treasure hunt you can do when out on walks. There are “caches” of various sizes and difficulties hidden all over the place, rural, urban, city central, all over the world.

The app is free and a basic account is free to set up - that’s what I had for a while and then when I realised how much I loved doing it I took out a paid membership which gives access to some more caches and allows you to hide your own.

Have a look https://www.geocaching.com/play You mentioned Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey in your OP - I’ve found caches in both those places. In fact lots of National Trust places have caches.

I used to live in Thirsk, nowadays live t'other side of the Pennines but we sometimes stay there if we want a long weekend visiting old favourite places like newby hall, fountains, castle Howard. We used to drive out to either the north York moors or the Dales for walking at the weekends - it's not perfect for either but good enough for both! Hard to recommend walks because there are so many possibilities.

But I've never been to Eden camp, not sure about Saltburn either.😂

The view from the top of Sutton Bank is amazing. Nunnington Hall has a collection of miniature rooms, which are lovely. I grew up in Thirsk.

Get an English Heritage membership. Mount Grace Priory, Richmond Castle, Middleham Castle, Whitby Abbey, Rievaulx, Helmsley Castle, Pickering Castle and more all within an hours drive.

Good point...we used to have one when we lived over there, whereas it's not worth it where we are now.

I second this ^
plus if you’ve got EH membership you can visit Rievlux abbey and Helmsley castle and then Scarborough castle and Whitby abbey if you fancy a big longer trip.
And fountains abbey as well.

I can see @Meceme bit me to the advice about EH 🙂

The visit Ripon website also has loads of information for the city and surrounding area.
Short canal ride, afternoon tea at Grantley Hall, Himalayan Gardens, local museums, Ripon Cathedral and plenty of independent shops, pubs and cafes, including a cafe in the Spa Gardens.

Www.visitripon.co.uk

We happily drive over an hour for a nice day out! Whitby is lovely to visit - very busy when we went but very enjoyable.