annhig

I'll leave detailed advice to the Yorkshire Tykes hereabouts, but i do admire your persistence and research, wrenwood.

Morgana

Your first day is very busy but it is manageable, especially if you keep it flexible. By that I mean you could always go straight from RHB to Pickering/Helmsley if you found you were running out of time.
Rievaulx isn't a huge estate like Fountains and can be seen in an hour or two. If you decide to stay in Helmsley you can walk down to the Abbey mainly on footpaths which might be a nice change after sitting in the car for so long the previous day.
Castle Howard and then Middleham works too.
I think we might be nearly there!
Couple of links for you - the Pheasant is near Helmsley, the Fev is right in the town.
http://www.thepheasanthotel.com/index.htm
http://www.fevershamarmshotel.com/

wrenwood

How about some place like Lastingham or Hutton le Hole, someplace just north of Pickering? Would really like a quaint small village with a great restaurant pub.

The Pheasant and Feversham Arms look lovely, but we try to economize a little where we eat dinners when my sister-in-law is with us. I think the Black Swan might be a over her budget also.

We pay for her room, so a great place to stay is OK (but we don't need a spa or extras like that) but dinner options need to be a little more economical. And we love love love old quaint atmospheric pubs, inns etc. especially if there are sheep grazing nearby! We are after all, tourists!

annhig ~ my husband calls my "persistence and research" ......................."obsession"

bilboburgler

http://www.generaltarleton.co.uk/ maybe but not just in the right place

Morgana

Ok, I didn't know what your budget was.
Have a look at -
The Fox and Hounds, Sinnington
Royal Oak, Gillamoor
Fauconberg Arms, Coxwold
Golden Lion, Osmotherley

sofarsogood

don't know what the rooms are like but the food at the Blacksmiths Arms in Lastingham was very good when I ate there. Cosy bar too.

Hutton le Hole is lovely - sheep roam around the village

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/...hutton-le-hole

annhig

annhig ~ my husband calls my "persistence and research" ......................."obsession" >>

sounds as if he and my DH were twins separated at birth, wrenwood.

but then, how does he think that you end up staying and eating at such great places? it must be luck!

wrenwood

He actually is very appreciative, he just has to give me grief!

We are certainly looking forward to being back in England next year

wrenwood

We booked here for 2 nights

http://www.burnleyhouse.co.uk/

The Crown in Hutton Le Hole, and Blacksmith Arms in Lastingham minutes away

Morgana

Hurrah! Looks very nice. You are also very close to the Ryedale Museum.
http://www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk/

wrenwood

I love open air museums like Ryedale with the buildings, I just hope we have time to visit.

And with a chocolate factory, nice pubs and sheeeeep, what more could I ask?

wrenwood

Just an update, we ended up booking here for our nights in Yorkshire Dales. Looks lovely, and close to many of the recommended restaurants!


http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cotta...gh-905078.html

bilboburgler

Looks nice now wren, since the snow is coming down at the moment it looks more desolate

Morgana

Great - you are coming to Wensleydale!!
That looks gorgeous - Middleham is lovely, with the ruined castle overlooking the town. You'll see lots of racehorses as well.
Close to Jervaulx Abbey too.
I haven't read all through the thread so I may be repeating myself, but very good restaurants within easy reach are (in order of my preference) -
Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton
Vennells - Masham
Blue Lion - East Witton
Swinton Park - afternoon tea or lunch/dinner at Samuels
A little further afield, but a beautiful drive up the Dale, is Yorebridge House at Bainbridge.

wrenwood

Morgans, you were great help, and Blue Lion and Wensleydale Heifer are definites! I did find some others that I might ask everyone about when our itinerary is a little more settled.

Can't wait to be back in England!