The Sawley Arms, Sawley, Fountains Abbey, Harrogate HG4 3EQ Telephone 01765 620642
Places to visit
Brimham Rocks
Just a few minutes away; standing tall on Brimham moor; Brimham Rocks are a photographers dream and on a clear day offer spectacular views which extend almost 40 miles.
Set within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this fascinating moorland is filled with strange and fantastic sand stone outcrops whose rock formations have captivated many over the years.
Ripon
Stay amid the ancient charms of Ripon - the ‘Cathedral City of the Dales’. The city of Ripon sits asride the River Ure, founded over 1300 years ago, and is famous as an old Cathedral City where monasteries have stood since the 7th Century.
The old city of Ripon boasts many historical buildings and museums, including of course Ripon Cathedral, the Wakeman’s House and Ripon Spa Gardens with its Victorian bandstand
Each Thursday a market is held on the square next to the 300 year old Obelisk, where the Hornblower will sound his horn at 9 o’clock every night.
Pateley Bridge
At the heart of Nidderdale lies Pateley Bridge. Twice a winner of the Britain in Bloom Competition and a 2003 Yorkshire in Bloom silver Award Winner.
It is home to the popular Nidderdale Festival in June and the Nidderdale Show in September, one of the country’s foremost agricultural shows, last but not least the award winning Nidderdale Museum.
There is a recreational area for children, specialist shops (including Britain’s oldest sweetie shop established in 1827), charming pubs, tearooms and a whole range of welcoming places to stay.
Close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and renowned for its charm, Nidderdale is the perfect base for walkers, a family holiday, a short break, or for those seeking more adventurous outdoor pursuits.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal water Gardens
A jewel in the National Trust's crown and Yorkshire's premiere World Heritage Site, centred around the ruins of a 12th Century Abbey together with an Elizabethan mansion, richly decorated Victorian church, a medieval deer park and an elegant 18th century Georgian garden with water features, follies and superb views.
It is Britain's largest monastic ruin, founded in 1132 by 13 monks seeking a simpler life.
Caught up in high church and state politics following the dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 the Abbey buildings and over 500 acres of land surrounding the current building were sold by the crown to Sir Richard Gresham, a merchant.
The property remained in Sir Richard's family for some years before being sold to Stephen Proctor who built Fountains Hall probably between 1598 and 1604. Much of the stone in the hall was liberated from the neighbouring ruins.
Harrogate
Elegant Harrogate has fabulous shopping, cafe culture, fine cuisine, glorious gardens, graceful architecture and a glamorous heritage as a European spa town. Britain in Bloom winning Harrogate and the only town ever to win the Europe in Bloom top award twice. Harrogate is one of the countries most attractive towns and known as one of nicest places to live in the UK.
Smart streets are filled with cafés and tea rooms, stylish restaurants and bars, complemented by a tempting choice of shops from boutiques to antiques.
Visit the UK's finest turkish baths. Relax in the Victorian steam room, hot rooms and plunge pool or treat yourself to a beauty treatment recently fully and faithfully restored to their Victorian splendour. Perhaps a stroll in the Valley Gardens in the town centre (Alan Titchmarsh's favourite public garden!) with their striking floral displays and lush green pinewoods that lead to the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Harlow Carr.
Useful links
Tourist information for Harrogate and district
Discover the Nidderdale area of outstanding natural beauty
Around the Yorkshire Dales
Further afield Enjoy England