Northallerton

Market days bring life to this ancient market town that's served as North Yorkshire's administrative heart for centuries. Northallerton sprawls along the old Great North Road, its wide high street flanked by Georgian townhouses and Victorian shopfronts that speak of prosperity built on wool and cattle trading.

The town sits perfectly positioned for exploring the Yorkshire Dales' eastern edges. Just southwest, the Wensleydale Railway chugs through some of England's most rewarding countryside, while Big Sheep and Little Cow Farm offers proper family entertainment without the theme park nonsense. Bedale, a short drive north, feels more intimate with its lovely park and golf course tucked beside the River Swale.

Wednesday and Saturday markets still draw farmers and locals into the town centre, though midweek can feel rather quiet between the bustle. The surrounding countryside rolls away in all directions - gentle at first, then building towards the dramatic fells that define this corner of Yorkshire.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The A1 runs just east of town, making Northallerton accessible from London in under four hours. Regular trains connect to York and Newcastle, with local stations at Bedale, Scruton, and Leeming Bar serving the surrounding villages.

Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around the area makes perfect sense. You're close enough for a morning coffee run into town, yet positioned to explore the Dales' quieter eastern valleys. Camp Kátur Glamping and Eastfield Glamping Farm offer more luxurious bases, while traditional sites like Riverside Meadows suit families wanting straightforward pitches. The choice of accommodation reflects the area's appeal - serious walkers mixing with families seeking a proper Yorkshire escape.