Situated in the North York Moors National Park, The Danby Estate, with its ruined 14th Century Castle, Court Leet and medieval packhorse bridge, was first acquired by the family of the present owner, Viscount Downe, in 1656. Over the years the manor of Danby has been owned by several well known families, including de Brus family (of Robert the Bruce fame), Neville, subsequently of Raby Castle and also Catherine Parr who was Lady of the Manor and whose husband (John Neville, Lord Latimer) was responsible for building the Castle.

Danby Castle sits at the centre of this beautiful Estate and overlooks the River Esk, the Moors Centre (the former Shooting Lodge) and the extensive grouse moors. The moors are a Common, administered by the Danby Court Leet, based at the Castle.

Whitby, famous for its oysters and being the home of Captain Cook, is an ancient fishing port with a maze of alleyways and narrow streets running down to its busy quayside. The port is now home to a replica of Capt. Cook's ship, H.M. Bark Endeavour. 199 steps lead up to the parish church of St. Mary, one of the finest examples of Anglo Saxon churches in the country.

The Heritage Coast and the North York Moors National Park offer endless boat trips, sailing, walks and cycle rides. There is free tennis for Forresters Lodge residents and fishing (trout, sea trout and salmon) and shooting (grouse and pheasant) are available by private arrangement with the owners.

On Wheeldale Moor more than a mile of Roman road has been exposed and preserved. It is known as Wade's Causeway and was built during the first Century AD.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs through scenic country from nearby Grosmont to Pickering and the local area is full of picturesque heritage villages.

Dalby Forest lies in the south-eastern corner of the North York Moors National Park in an area once covered by the long gone Royal Hunting Forest of Pickering. Replanting of forest trees by the Forestry Commission began in the 1920s and Dalby Forest has now become a popular place for families as well as providing a varied wildlife habitat and producing valuable timber.

For more information on what to do in Yorkshire please visit www.dalesman.co.uk