Lake Semerwater lies in the heart of Raydale in Wensleydale North Yorkshire and is the source of the shortest river in the Country – The River Bain. The Lake is ideal for coarse and wild brown trout fishing, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, and outdoor swimming. All this creates an interesting spectacle for anyone wishing to sit and enjoy the views; wildlife or just have a picnic. In Raydale there are a variety of footpaths for walkers and green lanes and bridleways…
The Schoolroom Museum is housed in a building erected in 1785 as a schoolhouse and poor house, on the site of the charity school which James Cook attended. The knowledge that he gained here provided the starting point for him to become one of the greatest navigators, explorers, and chart makers that this country has produced. His voyages of discovery are displayed along with a reconstruction of an 18th Century schoolroom. The commemorative plaque on the outside of the museum…
Rural Arts North Yorkshire Rural Arts North Yorkshire is an arts charity based at the Old Courthouse in Thirsk. We can bring an extensive range of arts workshops, courses, and projects in visual and performing arts to your venue (North Yorkshire and beyond). Get Creative- We work with all sectors of the community including schools, youth clubs, parent and child groups, special needs groups, older people, and intergenerational community groups. Our program is offered at all levels from beginners through…
Eco gardens Enjoy nature and art at the Dutch house ecological sculpture garden and learn about sustainable gardening and attracting wildlife. The garden contains a collection of native trees, a wildflower meadow, herbaceous borders, a kid’s nature zone and a display of sculptures. The Art Studio In our fully equipped, light, and inspiring art studio we offer a variety of workshops, courses, and lectures. At Dutch house, local artists share their knowledge and creativity with you. We offer creative and…
Visit Gayle Mill, a unique 19th-century state of the art sawmill, complete with working Victorian machinery and water-powered turbines. Now fully restored and operating as a historic visitor attraction. All visits to Gayle Mill are Tour Guide led. On one of our Daily Guided Tours, you will….. Explore a typical three-story mill built-in 1784 to a Richard Arkwright design. Originally established to process raw cotton, it was converted to a mechanized sawmill in 1879. Gain a unique insight into the…
Kiplin Hall was the country seat of George Calvert, founder of Maryland, U.S.A., who built this handsome Jacobean Hall in a pretty vale between Richmond and Northallerton. From the 1620s, the Calverts, Crowes, Carpenters, and Talbots, all related by blood or marriage, left their stamp on the house, altering the buildings to suit their needs. Each family brought furnishings, paintings, and personal possessions. Much of these collections remain, and Hall’s interior is a fine example of a Victorian country house…
Shandy Hall was the home of Laurence Sterne from 1760 until his death in 1768. Here he wrote The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Serialised on Radio 4 (2005) and now adapted for the screen by Michael Winterbottom (‘A Cock and Bull Story’ starring Steve Coogan) this novel is as fresh today as it was when it scandalised London in the late 18th century. Laurence Sterne created his masterpiece, Tristram Shandy, which brilliantly plays with the conventions of…
Explore the home and surgery of James Herriot in 1950’s themed rooms. Experience hands on activities and fun in the visible farm. Try your hand in the TV studios. Investigate the variety of veterinary equipment. Evening tours and children’s activities arranged. Map reference: SE 428821 By Road: Situated on Kirkgate in the centre of Thirsk just off the Market Place. By Public Transport: Approximately 2 miles from Thirsk station and a few minute walk from the bus stop in Thirsk Market…
Housed in the 1755 birthplace of Thomas Lord, one of the founding fathers of modern cricket who gave his name to the London cricket ground, Thirsk Museum stands in Kirkgate, a short walk from the Market Place, just across the road from The World of James Herriot and within a few minutes of the magnificent 15th century Parish Church of St. Mary. First opened in 1977 and located in the very heart of Herriot Country, Thirsk Museum is a registered…