There are plenty of walks from the cottage door, for example to Sinnington crossing the River Seven and passing through woodland down to this picture postcard village, or returning from Rosedale across the moors via Ana Cross (outward journey courtesy of the Moors Bus). Farther afield, there is a great walk around the Hole of Horcum and the sections of the Cleveland Way (including coastal walks) or the Inn way (including pubs) are also worth a look.

Helmsley is a good destination for both shopping and people watching, or even a combination of the two. According to our local paper, the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, was recently spotted in Carters Countrywear purchasing hats, so you never know whom you may meet. There are a couple of great "foodie" shops (Hunters and Perns) and plenty of teashops. Market Day is on Fridays.

Friars Hill Riding School is literally just a couple of miles away and offers an indoor school facility, as well as local hacking, whilst Barkers Riding School, based in Helmsley, offers hacks in incredible scenery for experienced riders: through the grounds of Duncombe Park to Rievaulx Abbey and beyond.

A number of houses in the area participate in the NGS open gardens scheme, and the Walled Garden in Helmsley is always worth a visit. At Scampston Hall near Malton is a garden designed by Piet Oudolf (described by some as the Gertrude Jekyll of our times), and there is also a renowned garden centre at Castle Howard.

Cropton Forest is a good destination for cyclists, as are the villages to the south of the A170, and for those who like a serious challenge, there is always Chimney Bank from Rosedale to Hutton-le-Hole, where some sections have a 1-in-3. Not recommended after a full breakfast!

Another potential destination for a walk from the cottage door is the New Inn at Cropton, which is also the base of Cropton Brewery, where "Monksman's Slaughter" and "Rudolf's Revenge" are brewed, amongst others.

From Pickering, you can take a steam train through to Goathland (used as the setting for "Heartbeat") and, on certain trains, through to the coast at Whitby. At weekends, there are evening trains where dinner is served, and there is also a Sunday lunch service. The railway is the focus for festivities during the Wartime Weekend in October.