Ampleforth Abbey Circuit Yorkshire Walking Trail

and afterwards you can treat yourself to the Ampleforth Abbey tearooms .

How to Date Billy Walsh | Official Trailer | Amazon Prime and it is filmed at Ampleforth

The location of Ampleforth was chosen for this film - The village was chosen because it had a backdrop of rolling hills, verdant green spaces, and tranquil countryside, providing a dramatic backdrop for some of the more intense scenes and intimate scenes, such as food fights and rainy romantic play, which were shot in a movie studio in a movie studio. and stars Sebastian Croft The school is at Ampleforth College. This is good news again for the area as it was also were JK Rowlings got some of her inspiration to write the Harry Potter books. So probably a good time to book a stay with us before the crowds start to form.

Happy New Year 2024

A lot happened last year and apologises for not keeping in touch more. I will try harder this year but what often seems mundane to me is of interest to those of you not living in the beautiful country side which surrounds us. Strawberries in December in the garden well seeing was believing .The day after Boxing Day saw Father Chrsitmas's deer return to our field for a well earned rest. I was greeted by 5 of them walking leisurely down the drive as I drove home.I know they can be destructive but they are lovely- just wish they didnt eat my fruit trees. Father Christmas had called at Wass Grange as we had the grandchildren round and little Ralph had been left a shiny blue wheelbarrow Jack says we need to get him a brush and shovel now to go with it . The girls.. well Emmy is really into her tea -fruit teas so she got a fruit tea teapot and lots of different flavoured teas. Martha got some fluffy bedding and Rubi the oldest - well at 14 it is all about makeup. . I had been to London with my cousin to see the lights in London in Decemeber so classed this as my Christmas present. My cousin loved the lights but I loved the shop windows.I would love to know what happens to all the decorations afterwards. It was a perfect day out getting the train from Thirsk in the morning and back home by 9.30pm - 17,000 steps later. We dropped in for lunch with our Italian friends and exchanged with a half moon of Wensleydale cheese. Telling them to eat it with their Christmas cake -fruit we hope. and came home clutching our Panetonnes. I was delighted to find the New Zealand shop, Rodd and Gunn, so Jack was very happy with his Christmas present too. Liberty never fails to impress with its beautiful displays but also the character of the building. I could have just spent all day looking around but we did it all.. well nearly all- names that pop up on the Monopoly board. But you know we have some fantastic Christmas displays around here. Helmsley market place looked lovely this year with its coloured lights on the tree, Thornton -le Dale, the villagers had certainly spent a lot of time and effort making their village look pretty and Norton near Malton excelled in the main street . Castle Howard was the highlight and I was treated to an evening preview of Peter Pan. I had hope to go back it was so good but went down with whatever was going about and just recovering now as is Jack. Christmas can be such a sad time too as I went down the churchyard to put the holly,ivy and fir from the farm on the graves. I did th erounds and popped some on not only parents/grandparents/greatgrandparents but old Dr Vidal who I have spoken about before who brought my dad into the world. Also village people who I looked up to when I was young and their families live abroad now. Ironically as I came out with tears streaming down my face I got a hug from another village "lad" whose ancestors are buried there too and we talked about the good old days and it lightened my step. We realise so much how our health is the most important thing we can have and so may people come to stay with us to recharge their batteries .Pretty soon we will be able to tell you about what is going to be happening in Spring 2024 when we join forces with Sara M.

to bring you some very amazing things.

Byland Abbey Memories

A day of apprecation of my surroundings and the memories, we made when I rode out with Jack many moons ago. Jacks Dad ,Charlie, was riding out then too .He was 76 when he hung his stirrups up. Is it the time of year as the clocks go back,the nights pull in and the sights of atmospheric sights like this of Byland Abbey I took yesterday, makes me refelect on life as it was nearly 50 years ago .The views are the same ,the seasons unfurl abeit sometimes they just dont quite fit the pattern they did back then. We have some amazing sights at the moment of the leaves changing colour. The patchwork of fields turning brown as the farmers work well into the night, trying to beat the weather and get their winter crops in. Some are sprouting green as you see the straight drill marks that have planted seeds for next years harvest. As the daylight hours shorten, there is more chance of seeing the Northern Lights. And of course you can breakfast by the fire when you come to stay with us. Oh so beautiful , Majestically stood alone in the mist. The monks have departed and so have their flock, Apart from the pheasants and occasion woodcock. At night ,an owl will weave the ground Looking for a mouse, he looks keenly down. Sheltered from the wind and the troubles of the world Byland is there, for all to be found. Until then I enjoy the peace of the land. I am proud to recall the days of the past of those powerful horses trotting by so fast. There was Volters and Tilston and big Gypsy Dan Astride one of those magnificent beasts So privileged to be one of the string A memory for all who then climbed the Bank, to gallop on Wass Moor knee high in ling.

Walking, sightseeing and going to a cafe are ....

· The Top activities for visitors of the North York Moors area. If this appeals to you going on a gentle walk, sightseeing / pottering and going to a café / tea room - Come and stay with us. Not to mention Dark Skies venues of which we are lucky to live in the very midst of one .We do see the most amazing skies full of stars and wonderful formations. We have seen falling stars and as youngsters always wanted to pick one up and put it in our pockets as the song goes - but havent achieved this yet. A record from the 40-50s Perry Como sang and is still remembered today. We can direct you the the foodie places we think are the best.... We can tell you the best places to go to eat, pick up a sandwich or slice of cake to eat on your day out. There is plenty of tea/coffee and milk here. Just bring you own flask and we will fill it for you . You can walk from the doorstep and leave your car while you tak a stroll to Byland Abbey 20 minutes away And if we have some homemade soup on the go we are happy to share some to go in a flask too . One of our favourite easy,flat stroll round a picture perfect village is only 10 minute drive away. Where there are thatched cottages, a duck pond and old mill. Pass cottages with names like Primrose Cottage, Mill Cottage and Orchard House A pretty village church with its lofty steeple but even better the day you do this there is no need to think of a picnic. The Star At Harome does the most amazing food ,having just been awarded 3 rosettes by the AA. Even though the foie gras is what Jack would be drawn too topped with black pudding, a very reasonably priced Market Menu 3 courses for £30. Did you know there is a child's menu too - A child's menu at a Michelin starred inn that was news to me . Add a loaf of bread and rest assured you dont need anything else but maybe a slice of cake later in the day but if you look in "your tin" when you get make to your room there will be some sweet treats for you in there. If you have already "done" your Holidays for this year .Why not plan ahead from 2024 . Gift vouchers can be bought from us for you to give for family and friends who like to get away and have a treat. If you pop into the Star Andrew Pern has brought a second book out which also will make a great gift or a keepsake for your stay in the area. It is named "Loose Birds and Game" contains 65 recipes divided into 13 chapters, large-format fold-out pages introducing each topic. There is everything here from dishes that you’ll cook to win round the in-laws, to rustic pies that you’ll want to keep for yourself. Game has never been more affordable.

Do you like a good read .. this is one you shouldnt miss

but there is three you can treat yourself too. Country life at its best and the country people Adrian has met in his life. My father was thrilled when Adrian Dangar gifted him the first book he had written True to the Line. Father was even more thrilled as Adrian mentioned our family in his memoirs. Just as they were -cobwebs and all. We are lucky to have another book written by Adrian who was a personal friend of Tristan Voorspuy having first met in Devon 30 years ago and sadly died far too young . Ones life cut tragically short on his own beloved Kenyan nature reserve in March 2017 when he was shot and killed by armed herders invading the land. -Adrian's new book is named "In the Field", is a collection of field sports adventures spanning four decades and is beautifully illustrated by the sporting and wildlife artist Rodger McPhail. If you would like a copy, please PM Adrian or visit www.muscoatespublishing.com An idea present and with Christmas coming up -.... and maybe you will treat that someone special to all three. For anyone who wishes to buy a book Adrian will be at the World Jam Festival in Helmsley at the Feathers next Sunday. He gave his time to be one of the judges and certainly know a lot about cooking. Although i have to say I have educated him on the finer art of making marrow rum after he sampled a bottle from 1985 I had made. The garden at his home is stocked with everything a man would want on his plate. I came away with armfuls of vegetables as well as a bunch of dahlias. His sweet peas were doing well too We are privilged to call Adrian a friend and although his friendship was initally formed with my father well over 30 years ago, we continue that friendship today . One of understanding the countryside, food ,drink and good company . Adrian has 4 Gloucester Old Spots -rare breed pigs in his orchard .They make delicious sausages. He was very generous to my father and often brought him a salmon or trout he had caught on his jaunts to Scotland. You could wish for a better after dinner speaker or guest round your dinner table. To read Adrians books is also an education to those who do not understand the country life and a delight to those who do

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The secret to mindful travel A trip to our woods

Planted by George Lupton - my Dad and his two brothers when I was a little girl. I think 1961 before I started school. I used to amuse myself laid on old army coats with my sheepdog friend trying to read her stories. I had a crayoning book and Floss would emerge at the end of the day with her white forehead a different colour but she didnt seem to mind. It was quite boring when you are a child as the men had to plant all the little trees by hand. We used to have a pack up- lowance [snack] and our dinner and go off for the day. There were red squirrels about in those days. There are a few hardwoods which the tree company gave to me to plant too. Occasionly it rained so there was an old Oak tree whcih was hollow so I used to sit in that and watch the raindrops falling. Life was so simple in those days. We didnt have words such as chill,stress and anxiety issues ,which are all too often mentioned today. Maybe it is time to pack your bags and head out into our woods and enjoy sitting or lying and just taking in what is around you. I could nearly bet that you would be so relax you could feel your eyelids closing and the next thing you know it is time for your supper. Besides this wood which is getting felled which by the way is called the Garden of Eden. We have other lovely woodland spaces for you to enjoy. All you will hear is the song of birds and if you are near the stream ,the trickle of water. With a fridge in your room you too can make a pack up and have your meal under the trees. We dont have sheepdogs at home but you are welcome to take one of our Cuckavalda Gundogs with you for company. And lastly we still have the "bait bags" and thermos my dad and uncles used all those years ago .So to add to the nostalgia you are welcome to use those too. In Japan it is a big thing to relax under trees it is called shinrin-yoku. In England it now has a psh name - Forest bathing ... when I was little it was playing in the woods -what all country children did and our grandchildren still do today. The term emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise called shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”). The purpose was twofold: to offer an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout and to inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests.