One of my favourite places to spend a Sunday morning is the enchanting ruins of Jervaulx Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery in the heart of Wensleydale. It’s one of the most peaceful places I know, almost ethereal with its crumbling pillars, soaring arches clad with rare species of wild flowers and stunning views of the dales. We visit regularly and rarely see another soul, allowing us to take full advantage of the bountiful hide and seek opportunities.

If we’ve worked up an appetite, we’ll sometimes head to The Blue Lion, a wonderful old coaching inn at nearby East Witton. The delicious menu features lots of locally sourced game and wonderful puddings.

If the children are with us then we can’t go without a visit to the Wensleydale institution that is Brymor ice cream parlour. Flavours include Black Cherry Whim Wham, Clotted Cream and Cinderella, but my all time favourite has to be Praline Pecan Delight, which I first tasted nearly 30 years ago and have been addicted to ever since!

Photos courtesy of mattbuck4950 on Flickr