Canadian Fields

As aforementioned, this is walking land, so take the dog, a picnic or both and go off to explore Ryedale and its surrounds: the local area is full of hiking trails and undisturbed byways, as is the North York Moors National Park a few miles away. If you're getting around by car, there's not far to go to reach some of North Yorkshire's top attractions. The atmospheric ruins of Rievaulx Abbey (a thriving Cistercian abbey until Henry VIII got his mitts on it) are 10 minutes away, as is the National Trust estate at Nunnington Hall. A little further beyond (20 minutes' drive) is the utterly gorgeous Castle Howard (tipped by many as one of the nation's finest stately homes). For urban days, take your pick from York, 45 minutes away (for the National Railway Museum, minster, Jorvik Viking Centre and an amble down The Shambles), and Harrogate, an hour away, to see the spa town's Royal Pump Room and indulge in genteel afternoon teas. If the sea air calls your name, head east for 45 minutes to get to the beach at Scarborough.