The Hambleton Forum

Thirsk's theatre scene centres on the Hambleton Forum, a proper community hub that punches above its weight for a market town. The venue hosts everything from amateur dramatics to touring productions - the kind of place where you'll catch a decent play one night and a stand-up comedian the next. It's the sort of theatre that relies on local support, so the atmosphere tends to be warm rather than stuffy.

You'll get the most out of a visit if you're after an evening's entertainment without the faffing about that comes with bigger city theatres. There's no queuing for overpriced interval drinks, and the box office staff actually know the shows. It works well as a cultural break during a park holiday - Pembroke Caravan Park and Cote Ghyll are both within six miles, so you could easily base yourself at either and drive in for an evening performance.

The theatre's small enough that sightlines are generally solid from most seats, and the programming usually has something for different tastes. Check what's on before you book your park accommodation, mind - the schedule can be quiet during certain months. If you're travelling with teenagers who aren't keen on tramping round stately homes, this beats sitting in a tent during wet weather. Adults will appreciate the quality of some of the touring acts that stop here.