Hi Rowdy -
As a northern England resident I feel it’s my duty to offer you some pointers on things that might fit your bill on your jaunt through the area!
There is enough to keep you occupied in York for the time you are there, other postings on the forum will give you plenty of suggestions (use the ‘search’ button). I also recommend the newer of the two pubs called ‘The House of Trembling Madness’ but there are lots of good ones in York. However, if you want to get the most out of your hire car you can venture outside to Beningborough Hall (National Trust) which is a lovely stately home about ten miles outside York. While in York you might want to explore the Yorkshire Dales. I would suggest Malham, a popular and pretty, busy village that has classic limestone scenery in Gordale Scar, Malham Cove and Janet’s Foss. You don’t say how big you are on walking/hiking, but there’s a classic walk: Janet’s Foss - Gordale Scar - Malham Cove which can be done without the rock climb out of Gordale Scar (follow the path left of the Scar which leads steadily upwards to the limestone pavement on the top of the Cove. Pavement requires sure-footedness and don’t get too near the edge! A stepped path leads to the bottom of the Cove). Two good pubs in Malham, The Buck Inn and The Listers Arms.
While in Robin Hoods Bay, which itself is rather special as I’m sure you know already, be sure to visit Whitby, which is a nice mix of old fishing port and traditional British seaside holiday tat (!) with the ruins of an abbey atop the cliffs (English Heritage I think). The church at the top of the ‘99 Steps’ is worth a visit if it is open for its proliferation of box pews. Also the smaller and less spoiled Staithes and Runswick Bay on the coast are worth a look-see.
Mr. Steves isn’t a fan of the North Yorkshire Moors I think - they are big, empty and bleakly beautiful. The North Yorks Moors Railway will take you south through them from Whitby to Pickering and back. There are several lovely villages set in the moors - Goathland, Lastingham, Hutton Le Hole to name but a few.
Durham might well be a good place to visit Hadrians Wall from (a visit to the Cathedral is compulsory though!). If you can get to the wall I would suggest near Vindolanda so you can visit the museum. The wall is at its wildest and most scenic as it sweeps over the crags near Housesteads fort.
While near Ripon don’t miss the fantastic Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal deer park. Enough there for a whole day especially if you can get into St Mary’s Church in the deer park (Victorian but interesting!). Also nearby, but open infrequently is the splendid Markenfield Hall, complete with moat. You’d need to check their website to see if one of their opening days coincides with your visit, but I’m guessing that not too many people get to see it, it’s very low key, but an amazing place.
Possibly the best way to approach the Lake District from near Ripon is to go up the A1 to Scotch Corner (it’s nowhere near Scotland!) and take the A66 via Penrith to Keswick, sweeping under the dramatic Blencathra, before turning south on the A591 towards Thirlmere and beyond that Grasmere. Scenic way in, especially if the weather is good. Alternative route takes you from Ripon cross country to the A65 and then up to the Lakes via the southern edge of the Dales into Windermere and north, again on the A591, to Grasmere via Ambleside.
Grasmere is ‘Lake District Poets Central’ and the main draw is Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage set on the side of the main road just outside the village. If you are still full of energy there are loads of good walks in the area - you’ll be able to pick up suitable maps and guides in the village, I’m sure. Helm Crag is Grasmere’s equivalent of Keswick’s Catbells (see Rick’s video on the site) if you want an aerial view of the surrounding area!
I hope I’ve given you some food for thought! Any questions, feel free! Have a great trip!
Ian
