Studded between Harrogate (7 miles) and Ripon (6.5 miles), Markington is a splendid village for exploring this beautiful corner of Yorkshire. The grand Victorian spa town of Harrogate is regularly listed as the best place to live in the UK. The truly gorgeous Yorkshire town combines traditional elegance with contemporary style effortlessly. And the Duchy suburb is well known as being one of the most desirable postcodes in town.
Best known for its antiques and fine art, Harrogate has antique dealers and galleries around every corner, particularly around the Montpellier Quarter. If buying old paintings and furniture isn't your bag, there are a host of other reasons to part with your cash in Harrogate. High fashion outlets nestle alongside lavish interior boutiques, punctuated with enough fine restaurants and cafes to keep you fuelled for weeks.
A visit to Bettys Tearoom is a must and, if you have time, we highly recommend a session at the famous Turkish Baths. Rejuvenate spirit and soul after a day on the town. If you're travelling with children, Harrogate is famous for its outdoor space with lots of parkland and greenery everywhere. The RHS gardens at Harlow Carr are also a fantastic option for families.
The vibrant cathedral city of Ripon boasts a Thursday market, numerous coffee shops, pubs, restaurants and a nice collection of independent shops to explore. The cathedral is smaller than its close neighbour, York Minster, but is still an awe-inspiring sight. In addition, every night for at least 450 years the Ripon Hornblower has sounded the curfew at 9pm from all four sides of the obelisk in the marketplace, come rain or shine, followed by a 15-minute history of the ceremony and the city – an experience not to be missed! If you are partial to a flutter, Ripon Race Ground has around 15 meets from April to early September. Known as 'Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse' it has a distinct atmosphere harking back to a bygone era – traditional tearooms and bandstands sit alongside the champagne bar.
This area of Yorkshire has enough historic sites to keep you busy for a week with Ripley Castle (3 miles), Newby Hall (9 miles) and Norton Conyers (11.4 miles) all close by. Visit lovely Fountains Abbey and the gorgeous Studley Royal Water Garden, 5.5 miles away – this World Heritage site is deservedly one of the National Trust's most visited locations. As well as the spectacular ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, the grounds are home to an Elizabethan Mansion, a medieval deer park and some of the most romantic vistas in the country.