Elmfield House, Bedale

Directions: From the South, leave the A1 at junction 51, turning left at the roundabout, follow the signs to Bedale and Leyburn. On the final roundabout turn right towards Leyburn (Bedale will be to your left). Just through the village of Patrick Brompton turn right at the cross roads (signposted to Hunton, Hauxwell, Catterick and a brown tourist sign to Elmfield House!). We are about 1.5 miles down this road on the right. From the North, leave at Junction 52 and follow the signs to Richmond and Catterick Garrison. At Camp Centre roundabout (near Aldi) turn left (signposted for Scotton and Patrick Brompton). Continue straight ahead for 2.5 miles. Elmfield House is on your left, shortly after the cross roads for Hornby and Hunton. From Leyburn, please take the road to Bedale. Immediately before entering Patrick Brompton, turn left. Elmfield House is 1.5 miles on your right.

Gardens – The arboretum at Thorp Perrow has national collections of trees, as well as birds of prey and the water gardens at Studley Royal are a world heritage site. The Himalayan Gardens are also close by and they combine award winning gardens with a sculpture park. A little further away there is RHS Harlow Carr and Rievaulx Terrace. Castles and Abbeys – we are spoilt for choice! The Norman Castle at Richmond, Richard III’s childhood home at Middleham. Or why not visit the well-preserved former residence of Mary Queen of Scots at Bolton Castle. Jervaulx, Eggleston and Fountains Abbey are all within equally easy reach. And if you head towards the coast, you soon pass Byland and Rievaulx Abbey. Historic houses – Kiplin Hall is a Jacobean delight, Newby Hall has glorious gardens, an ornate privately-owned house and fun for the whole-family and Raby Castle is a medieval treasure set in a deer park. Bowes Museum is a nearby French Château, purposely built as an art gallery, boasting pieces by several grand masters. And if you fancy something Arts and Crafts, why not try Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens. So plenty of styles and periods to take your fancy. Adventure – nestled between the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors National Park, from gentle strolls to more challenging hikes, there are plenty of local walks. We are in Wensleydale and border Swaledale. Both dales are famed for their waterfalls notably at Aysgarth, Hardraw and Keld. Forbidden Corner is packed with unique surprises and fun, on a magical maze of discovery. The Wensleydale Railway offers both steam and diesel services as well as themed journeys. And you can explore wildlife galore in it's natural setting, behind the wire at Foxglove Covert. Or if you travel a little further to Beamish you can experience the living museum which takes in Victorian towns, Edwardian streets, a farm, trams, buses, mines and a 1950s mineworkers’ cottages. Food and drink – We are in the same dale as Hawes’ famous Wensleydale Creamery and Masham is home to two well-known breweries: Theakstons and Black Sheep. Or if you prefer gin, whilst we boast a lot of local micro distilleries, Masons is based in Bedale. Locally made ice cream is always a favourite with visitors, whether it is visiting the farm at Brymor , Wensleydale Ice Cream or Archers at the former station in Richmond. Market towns – we are equi-distant from Bedale, Leyburn and Richmond. Each has its own character. Bedale is a local food hub, Leyburn boasts a range of independent shops and picturesque Richmond is home to the Georgian Theatre Royal,  Green Howards Museum and huge cobbled market place. Reeth is a centre for artisan crafts, the County Town of Northallerton has regular markets and Hawes, Barnard Castle and Ripon have their own charm.