Leaving Windermere we headed towards York passing by the Yorkshire Dales. Peaceful, tranquil, beautiful, the Yorkshire Dales are home to outstanding scenery, great castles, abbeys and a breathtakingly peaceful atmosphere.

The Dales are famous for its wonderful scenery, its deep valleys, known as dales, with roads meandering between drystone walls and a patchwork of hay meadows and field barns. Up above is heather moorland and distinctive hills, such as the much loved Three Peaks.

On way almost ended up in Army Barracks with armed guard at gate - a detour we missed.

We continued on to York, passing through many market towns along the way. Firstly there was Ingleton. Ingleton nestles in the foothills of Ingleborough, one of Yorkshire's famous Three Peaks. The village is surrounded by magnificent limestone countryside with deep caves, spectacular waterfalls and important geological and archaeological sites.

Next we travelled to Kirby Stephen in the upper Eden Valley. It is a vibrant little market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. There are pretty individual shops, galleries, antiques, crafts, a delicatessen and Monday market. Had a pork pie but not very nice.

Richmond greeted us next. Richmond sits just outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is one of the most dramatically-beautiful, architecturally-rich towns in the north of England.

Then on to York, a place of extraordinary cultural and historical wealth, a beautifully preserved medieval city. It is like stepping back into the middle ages, with overhanging timber-framed houses and traditional shopfronts. The Shambles makes it one of the UK’s most historic and picturesque streets. There's Viking heritage too, as York – then called Jorvik – was once the capital of a Viking territory. We stayed in York at the Ibis York Centre.

Places to visit:
* The Shambles - A narrow street, old buildings, and many different shops await the visitor to this unique area of York, unusual shops, can watch fudge being made and but anything from gold to a harry potter wand, Harry Potter shop . Ate afternoon tea at Gert and Henry's restaurant in shambles, very relaxing and tea at Harpers - little fish, lots of better.
* York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe and also one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the world.
* walked part way round the city on the fort wall,