A long weekend break in North Yorkshire

Book into your accommodation at the Devonshire Arms Hotel near Skipton.  With a mix of traditionally decorated rooms which include period features and rooms with a modern contemporary feel, this country house hotel guarantees you a weekend of luxury where you can dine in the Brasserie Restaurant or enjoy a delicious afternoon tea.

On warmer days, enjoy a freshly prepared picnic hamper on the estate. Relax in the Devonshire Spa with a wide range of treatments to ensure an indulgent pampering experience.

Step back in time aboard the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. With services departing from the nearby Bolton Abbey Station, you can sit back in one of the Victorian carriages and watch the world go by.

Buy your tickets and listen out for the nostalgic whistle and the smell of smoke as you watch the train pull into the station. Enjoy a coffee or slice of cake at the Embsay Station Coffee Shop or step back in time and explore the display of historic photos in the waiting room on platform 2 before the return journey.

Spend a few hours exploring this popular market town with its many shops along the High Street and a shopping centre. See the impressive medieval Skipton Castle with over 900 years of history - well worth a visit and take a relaxing stroll through Skipton Castle Woods.

The Craven Museum inside Skipton Town Hall is home to lots of interesting artefacts chronicling the history of the area and the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Wander along the canal where pretty barges are moored or take a canal cruise with Skipton Boat Trips.

This impressive Adam house is home to Chippendale furniture, tapestries and statues. Often used as a film location, there are many parallels to the fictional Downton Abbey which you can spot on a guided tour.

The stunning gardens are beautiful, and highlights include the double herbaceous border, rose garden and rock gardens. Explore on foot or hop on the miniature railway before visiting the Bear House and dolls collection. Enjoy lunch in the Garden Restaurant before an ice cream in the sunshine.

These spectacular stepped waterfalls in full flow are truly a stunning sight. Walk through the surrounding woodland to gain access to each of the falls, which are more dramatic after heavy rain swells the river. It’s easy to see how the falls attracted both Wordsworth and Turner to capture their beauty.

Pick up information from the National Park Visitor Centre to plan a return visit to the area and enjoy refreshments at the café.

Discover a magical underground world at Stump Cross Caverns near Grassington. Grab your hard hat and head down into the depths to explore the show caves including the Reindeer Cavern and The Cathedral.

Look out for amazing stalagmites and stalactites and natural rock formations such as the Wedding Cake and the Sleeping Cat. After looking around the caves, enjoy lunch in the Time Café and treat yourself to a souvenir in the Crystal Caverns shop.

The stone sculpture of The Coldstones Cut is set back from the main road and offers stunning views across the Nidderdale countryside. Park in the small car park and follow the path uphill. Once you enter the sculpture, take the spiral paths on either side of the main path which take you higher up for more spectacular views.

As you make your way back to the car park, turn off the main path and walk to the ruins of the Toft Gate Lime Kiln, a reminder of the industrial heritage of the area.

Explore Pateley Bridge for a few hours in the afternoon. The main street is lined with lots of interesting little shops, butchers and cafés. For a special treat, call into Cocoa Joe’s where you can choose the most indulgent hot chocolate and take some chocolate flakes home for later.

The Nidderdale Museum with its different rooms and artefacts gives visitors an insight into dales life and the Kings Street Workshops are home to artisan makers