Inspiration

An eco-friendly guide to North Yorkshire

5 min read

North Yorkshire is famed for its carving dales, heather-dotted moors and winding rivers cascading into deep pools. It's a landscape deeply loved and passionately protected in many ways, from green-powered country houses to a new wave of craft distilleries producing sustainable spirits, and rustic eateries sourcing from their own walled gardens. After a recent visit up north, Suitcase Magazine contributor Siobhan Lawless gave us her eco-friendly guide to Yorkshire.

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Yorkshire

My favourite walks

Hole of Horcum Circuit

This ancient cauldron-like amphitheatre, created by a series of landslides, plunges 400 feet deep into North Yorkshire’s moors. A six-mile walk loops around rocky ravines, soothing streams and archaeological remains, encompassing Horcum’s rolling valleys and Levisham Moor’s unmissable heathers.

Aysgarth and Cauldron Falls

Absorb spectacular waterfalls and woodlands on this tranquil walk, also around six miles. Stroll along Wensleydale’s Aysgarth Falls, which captivated Ruskin, Wordsworth and Turner. Admire Bolton’s wonderfully preserved medieval castle, before heading towards the quaint village of West Burton and nearby Cauldron Falls on Walden Beck.

Malham Cove and Gordale Scar

A circular walk that incorporates Malham Cove and Gordale Scar’s vast limestone ravine and striking gorge, formed in the Ice Age, which inspired a painting at the Tate.

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Places to eat

Holidays in Yorkshire usually focus on two things: beautiful countryside and good food. The region is phenomenal for the production and consumption of fresh, delicious food and local produce. From award-winning restaurants to innovative menus, I’ve hand-picked my best pubs and restaurants in Yorkshire.

Middleton Lodge

This 200-acre estate near Richmond contains plush accommodation and two restaurants served by its walled garden and grounds. The stunning Coach House’s seasonal menu has tasty, colourful dishes. Head chef Jake Jones’s ingenious tasting menu at Middleton’s fine dining Forge restaurant harmonises full-bodied flavours with sublime surprises.

The Black Swan

Founded in 2013 by Tommy Banks, Britain’s youngest Michelin-starred chef, The Black Swan grows and forages its seasonal tasting menu within its rustic grounds. Banks enriches his exceptional dishes by fermenting, pickling and prolonged ageing – the wine list charmingly resembles an ancient map.

The Talbot Malton

In the heart of ‘Yorkshire’s food capital’, The Talbot Malton has created a sustainably-sourced menu that’s bursting with exemplary food – savour indulgently rich meat or tastily marinated vegetables in a welcoming, country-club setting.

Sandpiper Inn

This snug, ivy-covered rural pub is one of Leyburn’s hidden treasures. It serves superbly cooked local produce that champions succulent meat, seasonal veg, real ales and fine wines, and the staff exuding Yorkshire charm.

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Getting in the spirit

Sutton-on-the-Forest offers Saturday tours of the self-built and family-owned Cooper King Distillery, producing sustainable whisky and gin solely powered by green energy. Malton’s artisan Rare Bird Distillery provides regular distillery tours and houses North Yorkshire’s first gin school – infuse your bottle with Earl Grey tea, marigold flowers and other botanicals. At Talbot Yard’s neighbouring shop Food 2 Remember, order fine cuts from blithesome butcher Paul – he’ll tell you which nearby farm your meat came from and possibly the animal’s name. Alternatively, Richmond’s Mainsgill Farm Shop offers delicious Yorkshire produce, craft spirits and endearing gifts to take home.

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