West Moors

Castle Howard is gorgeous and a cut above the usual stately pile. It was the first house John Van burgh built. The interior is as superb as the exterior and you will see some of the finest furnishings, paintings, sculptures and porcelains in existence.

To the north the landscape of the North York Moors really starts to bite and you will find one of the most attractive of the region’s towns at Helmsley, which makes a great base for exploring the western moors region.

The Cleveland Way is one of England’s best-loved long-distance National Trails and starts at Helmsley prior to heading out across the North York Moors and Cleveland Hills before following the coast south from Saltburn to Filey. One of the first sights you will see on the way is the 314ft long White Horse carving above Kilburn.

There are two abbey ruins at very close proximity, Byland Abbey which lies to the south and the most impressive being at Rievaulx (pronounced Reevo). Rievaulx was founded in the 12th century as the first Cistercian colony in the north of England. The church building is among the best preserved monastic ruins in the country.