York and the surrounding cities.

Thirsk is a lovely small market town, also the home of James Wight (James Herriot). It’s 20 miles north of York.

It depends how 'city' you want it--in fact none of those is a city, they range from smallish towns to large villages. Harrogate is the largest, pretty enough but a bit dull. Knaresborough is a bit smaller but there's probably a bit more to do there. Malton is quite close to York but not very interesting and Pickering quite nice but rather small. A couple of decent pubs there mind you.

Frankly, I would stay in York. It's a fascinating city with lots to offer--the Minster, the medieval walls, the great museums, plenty of charming B&Bs, good restaurants, great pubs. Try the Lake District or the Cotswolds if you want to stay in the countryside.

I like to stay within 20 to 30 minutes of city center, but still be in the country a bit.

20-30 minutes from York you will be out in the country. York does not lend itself to visiting by car. The centre (the area inside the walls) is partially pedestrianised and has limited parking. It does however have a good park-and-ride system with car parks on the edge of the city, follow the signs. You will be able to do day trips into York.

All the places you list would be good, though some are more than 20-30 minutes from York by car.

If you have a car in Yorkshire, you must visit the National Parks. Either the Yorkshire Dales (NW of York, click for official website) or the North York Moors (NE of York, click for website).

If you get to Pickering, which is on the southern edge of the moors, drive "over the top" to Whitby on the coast. Whitby is not to be missed (click for official website). Just south of Whitby is Robin Hood's Bay, one of the best coastal villages there is (click for website).

Ripon is within your preferred distance and has a large cathedral and large market square. It's also handy for the Studely Roger deer park and the National Trust owned Fountains Abbey both of which are nearby. If you wanted to go a bit further afield you might think about Pateley Bridge a small town in Nidderdale which has the advantage of really being away from any big cities and genuinely out in the country.

Harrogate is a former spa town and I have described it previously on this forum as a sort of 'Bath of the north' (although that might be pushing it a bit admittedly, but gives you an idea).

Hope you get somewhere suitable and have a great trip!

Ian

Another attraction of Harrogate is the RHS garden a little way out of town. The town have joined the centre with the RHS Harlow Carr garden by a linear park well endowed with flowers and trees so the whole experience is quite pleasant. What the Royal Horticultural Society doesn't know about growing stuff would fit in a very small box.

Bettys Tea Rooms has a location at the RHS Harlow Carr https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr and in the centre of Harrogate.

You could do worse than a weekend in Harrogate.

The thing I remember best about Harrogate is a play that I happened to see there. They seem to get a lot of acts traveling through, so you might want to check what's on.

We visited Castle Howard on our way to Pickering. We stayed one night in Pickering at the White Swann inn. Great place.

Pickering is on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors and you can take a steam train to Whitby or drive over the Moors.