Julie in front of the Middleham Castle ruins (Image: Julie Delahaye)
I love a good staycation, especially when you get to experience the best of Britain; beautiful scenery, friendly locals and proper pubs where you can get a decent pint by a roaring fire.
The Yorkshire Dales have always been on my list for a walking weekend thanks to the famously beautiful hiking trails, cosy cottages and classic pubs. However, I wasn’t prepared for just how picturesque the area could be – and how just one small town would quickly become one of my new favourite spots to visit.
Middleham may be a tiny market town in the heart of Yorkshire, but it has everything you could want for an idyllic weekend away. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we’d stepped back in time thanks to the twee tea rooms, pubs with low beams and wide array of pints (the Dante Arms was one where I stopped and it ticked all of the boxes).
A view of the shops in Middleham (Image: Julie Delahaye)
Meanwhile the picture-perfect stone cottages with their colourful flower pots and front porch trinkets wouldn’t look out of a place on a film set. Honestly, for fans of the Christmas film The Holiday, this is the kind of place where you can channel your inner Cameron Diaz.
Add in the chippies and antique shops, and it’s not difficult to see why this is a firm hit with hikers and ramblers looking for a cosy base from which to go and explore the surrounding countryside.
The entire place feels as if it’s been preserved in time, and I mean that in the best possible way. I made a pit stop at the Castle Keep Tea Rooms where you’ll find about six tables, a crackling fireplace and cosy armchairs. The menu had every breakfast classic you could want, some light sandwiches and some ridiculously tasty-looking cakes – and all homemade which always just makes any food taste that little bit more delicious.
There’s not a huge amount to explore in Middleham but its main attraction is Middleham Castle, so when I could tear myself away from the food and drink, I went to have a little gander. I expected to spend maybe half an hour max, but ended up spending a lot longer wandering around the beautiful ruins. It’s impressive how well preserved they are; I felt like I’d stepped onto a film or TV set; it reminded me of Game of Thrones and I half expected dragons to fly overhead. It was easy to imagine how the castle must have looked in its prime.
If you’re willing to brave the spiral staircase to the top, you’re rewarded with stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the town below. (Adult tickets start from £9.50, more information can be found on english-heritage.org.uk).
Of course one of the main perks of Middleham is its location right by the Yorkshire Dales National Park, so it’s an excellent base for walkers and ramblers, as you can get across to the trails.
For families, Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park is roughly a half-hour drive away with plenty of rides, rollercoasters and attractions for children aged 12 and under. We were with friends so bought a group ticket which worked out at about £15 per person and were thoroughly impressed by what was included in the price.
If you do want to make a short break of it, Middleham has plenty of beautiful cottages that give off major ‘Cameron Diaz in the Holiday’ vibes with their stone walls, cosy furnishings and pretty decor. Sykes Holiday Cottages can be a great source for booking into one of the beautiful homes, while HolidayCottages.com has plenty of properties in the surrounding region too.
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