Travelling with Nick: North Yorkshire

We first became acquainted with Yorkshire about thirty years ago when friends moved to Easingwold. It soon became one of my wife's favourite U.K. locations.

We visited Harrogate a few years ago and this time we wanted to discover the North Moors area. We based ourselves in Pickering, staying at The Best Western Forrest and Vale Hotel (lovely staff and great food).
We knew nothing of Pickering before this visit but found out that it has been an important habitation for hundreds of years. It really came into its own when William the Conqueror (Reigned 1066- 1087) chose it has one of his bases for the ill-famed 'Harrowing of the North'.
At first a rough and ready motte and bailey construction was made. Then over subsequent years a substantial stone castle was built. The remains of this castle can still be visited today, it is maintained by English Heritage.
The castle is not the only old building of note in Pickering, there is the Parish Church of
St. Peter's and St. Paul's which can trace its foundation back to Saxon times. Most of what we see now, including the famous wall paintings, dates from the 15th Century.
There is also the North Moors Railway station. It seems that this whole post could be dedicated to Pickering there is so much to see and do in this one town. And we didn't know it!! This was a bonus.

It is my view that within twenty minutes of setting out from any point on the A170 road from Thirsk to Scarborough one would find something of interest. This area is so rich in historical and visual delights.

From now on I am going to let the following photographs tell their own story.