Hello from the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario. Canada

 Hi Crew

My name is Lesley and I am a "Ten Buck Canuck" That's how much it cost when I became a Canadian citizen!

I was born in the Medway towns of Kent in 1944 but I only lived in England from the age of 6 to the time I was 12. I have never been back. My husband's job made it impossible to take holidays in the summer and I really didn't relish a damp vacation in Britain. However, I have badly wanted to see England for a long time.

This year may be my chance. My husband and I are hoping to visit the Yorkshire Dales area in the summer with my son and daughter- in- law and my two young grandsons aged 4 and 1. I have no family left in Kent but I have relatives in Leeds and Newcastle.

I enjoy photography very much but I use it as a means to an end. I "freeze frame" scenes that I want to paint as I am a wildlife artist. I hope to be able to capture the atmosphere of the Dales.

We are planing on renting a cottage where there is lots of space for the children to run and climb and animals for them to see. Nana wants to go crazy with the camera. Grandad and son want a pub within walking distance, We also want an easy drive to Leeds to visit with family. Any suggestions as to which villages we should be looking at?

Lesley Moore 

Hi Lesley! Welcome to the POE family.

I envy you visiting the Dales this year. You should speak to Andy, he can give you a lot of pointers!

Hello Lesley,

 Welcome to the site. 

What about somewhere in or around Richmond, North Yorkshire.

.It's Half-way between Leeds & Newcastle , just off the A1M motorway  and is convenient for both the Yorkshire Dales and Teesdale (High Force waterfall) 

   It's also very close to  the A66 main route to the Lake District ( about one & half hours drive)  

   You can see pictures of Richmond , High Force and the lake District in my pictures.  Richmond is a small historic  country market town complete with Castle and waterfall (River Swale).

Thanks Ladies!

Castles will be a high on the list. My 4 year old grandson Liam loves building castles with his "Lego". I'm a thinkin' he will go nuts over a real one! How far is Richmond from Leeds, time wise? Leeds is the more important location to be close to. I have a cousin coming from South Africa  to visit her sister in Leeds.The 3 of us haven't been together in 60 years!

I'm going to look up your pictures Lorraine 

It's about 50 - 60  miles from Leeds,  Lesley, about 1hr-1hr 30mins straight up the A1, turn left at Scotch Corner!   Can't miss it!!  

  However ,  if you keep off the main motorway and go up through the dales, you will see some teriffic scenery  and   lovely Dales villages and countryside.

If it's castles you want, there's a ruined castle at Barnard Castle, nearby Beautiful Raby Castle at Staindrop,    and  Walworth Castle ,  not far from Staindrop (it's now a hotel which does wonderful carvery lunches and is very child friendly)

In Wensleydale  there is Bolton Castle , and Fountains Abbey  just North of Harrogate, and not  far from Leeds,  (about 25 miles)

Hello and welcome from me too Lesley.

Lorraine mentioned Wensleydale, if you go there and you like cheese, you must visit the Wensleydale cheese farm? Factory? Where they make the cheese. I have been there and I can tell you, the wife and I stuffed ourselves with the free tasters. We also ended up with three full bags of the delicious cheeses on sale. Enjoy your stay and take lots of photos and dont forget to post them on here for us to see as well.

Thank you Peter,

Yes indeed, I have heard of Wensleydale cheese. In fact I do get it here. We are a cheese loving family! I had no idea that it would be so close to where we will be coming. It will be on our "to do" list. My son goes to the farmers market here and arrives home weighted down with cheese so he will be a happy camper!

Thank you to Catherine too. I've been watching Heartbeat for ages so I know what a treat it will be.