British Gravel Championships weekender

Begin your long weekend in North Yorkshire with a visit to Britain's prettiest village, Thornton-le-Dale. Here you'll find neat thatched cottages, a babbling beck and duckpond, and charming tearooms where you can enjoy a spot of lunch.

Pick up a sweet treat from the chocolate shop and take a stroll past the charming Beck Isle cottage - famous for appearing on many a postcard.

Just five minutes from Thornton-le-Dale lies the impressive Dalby Forest, offering over 8,500 acres of stunning outdoor beauty.

Start your afternoon at the British Gravel Championships expo village where you can meet up with fellow riders and supporters, then the afternoon is yours for exploring. Families will love the themed adventures like the Gruffalo Orienteering and Stick Man trail, while thrill-seekers can take on Go Ape’s treetop challenges or archery, laser tag and paintball at the Dalby Activity Centre. f course, there are hundreds of miles of cycle trails suitable for all abilities, plus a bike park where you can put your skills to the test.

As dusk falls, you might be lucky enough to witness the wonder of the Milky Way, thanks to Dalby's status as a Dark Sky Discover Site. Look out for twinkling stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies.

Visit the 13th century Pickering Castle, known for its motte and bailey fortifications where you can learn about the castle's varied history. Climb to the top of the mound (motte) stairway for panoramic views over the surrounding countryside, then head into town where you can visit the fascinating Beck Isle Museum and dive into the town's heritage with historical shops and rotating exhibitions.

Board the heritage steam or diesel train at 1940s Pickering Station for a nostalgic journey through the heart of the North York Moors National Park to Whitby. Along the way you'll call at Goathland, known for its starring role as Hogsmeade station in the Harry Potter film series and chug through beautiful moorland before reaching your seaside destination, Whitby.

Head to the beach for a paddle, climb the 199 steps up to the dramatic abbey for stunning coastal views and tuck into tasty fish and chips from one of the town's many excellent seafood restaurants.

Step back into time to the 1940s at this fascinating open-air museum, complete with real POW huts. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on the Home Front and Front Line in a series of recreated 360 degree life-size scenes and interactive exhibits, plus enjoy the large display of military vehicles and equipment including tanks, artillery pieces, aircraft and mini submarines.

Head out into the North York Moors National Park and discover this peaceful part of the world where open sky meets stunning heather moorland, dotted with quaint villages.

Call into Hutton-le-Hole, famous for its beautiful stone cottages and the open-air Ryedale Folk Museum where you can delve into 4,000 years of local history, and dip your toes in the stream that flows through the village. Lealholm is a picturesque riverside village with charming stepping stones over the River Esk, while nearby Goathland is famous for its role as Aidensfield in the ITV drama Heartbeat, while its train station also served as Hogsmeade station in Harry Potter. 

Stop for refreshments at one of the area's charming tearooms and see why it's called the "Capital of Cake" with a tasty treat, and stretch your legs on a range of walking routes where you're guaranteed stunning views.