Ripon is wonderfully located and there's always plenty to do. Whether it's a leisurely walk along the canal or through the Dales, a visit to one of the museums (Ripon boasts a workhouse museum, a court museum and a police and prison museum!) or a night out, Ripon has everything you could ever want right on the doorstep.

To the west of Ripon is Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale, an area of outstanding natural beauty. To the east are the Hambleton Hills, the North York Moors national park with the seaside resorts of Whitby, Robin's Hood Bay and Scarborough less than two hours drive away. Head north and you will discover the bustling Dales market towns of Bedale, Northallerton and Richmond along with Masham, home of Theakston and Black Sheep breweries. Ripley, Harrogate and Knaresborough lie to the south of Ripon. Ripley Castle and Gardens, just 9 miles from Ripon are particularly worth a visit and provide a great chance to also take in the recently refurbished Boar's Head Inn. See www.ripleycastle.co.uk.

If you are a horse racing fan there are regular race meetings during the spring and summer at Ripon, York, Catterick and Thirsk. Twenty miles away is the Wensleydale town of Middleham, home to fifteen racehorse trainers.

For a trip down memory lane hop on to Bessie, Dorothy or Edith, the Wensleydale Vintage Tour buses that depart from Ripon bus station. If you prefer more modern public transport, there are excellent bus services to Harrogate, Leeds, York and the surrounding area.

Walk from the house and you quickly pick up the Ripon Rowel Walk and the Sanctuary Way. There are numerous tracks winding through the Dales and across the Moors, including the Nidderdale Way, with walks for every level of enthusiasm and ability, from gentle potters to hearty hikes.

A range of cultural events is hosted at Ripon Cathedral and the Ripon International Festival takes place in September each year. Annual events in Harrogate include the Theakston Old Peculiar crime writing festival, the summer music festival and a beer festival. In the surrounding area there is a host of agricultural shows and events to visit, including the Great Yorkshire show, the Masham steam engine rally, the Wensleydale show, the Nidderdale show and the Kettlewell scarecrow festival.