Yorkshire's most beautiful village

Even back in 1907 Thornton-le-Dale was voted the most beautiful village in Yorkshire and it attracts many visitors, especially artists and photographers.

The boundary of the National Park loops southwards near Pickering to include this attractive village which has retained its charm despite the A170 running through it.

The shops, cafes, inns, streams and forge are just some of the reasons for exploring the village.

Parking is easy in a spacious car park in the grounds of a fine Tudor building which is now a residential home, with a public bar.

Beside the bridge, which crosses the stream near the parish church of All Saints, is one of the most photographed homes in Britain. It appears on calendars, chocolate boxes and magazine covers.

The church dates back to the 14th century.

It contains an almsbox with three locks and a font shaped about 1200. The clock in the tower was set going in 1920 as an offering for peace after four years of war.

Roxby Castle used to stand a mile or so along the road to Pickering. This was the home of the Cholmleys. Sir Richard Cholmley was known as the Great Black Knight of the North at the time of Elizabeth I and is buried in the parish church.

Other features of the village include a 600-year-old market cross and a set of stocks on the green, 12 almshouses completed in 1670 by Lady Lumley and an old grammar school founded in 1657.

The only way to explore it is on foot. Follow the riverside path away from the main road and you will come to the thatched cottage, then beyond it attractive rows of cottages and town houses.