Themes

In North Yorkshire, the small town of Helmsley and the village of Rievaulx with it's ruined abbey have many links as well as being geographically close.
Walter Espec, owner of Helmsley Castle owned the land on which Rievaulx Abbey was built in the 12th century and was a patron of the abbey.
The Duncombe family from Duncombe Park in Helmsley built Rievaulx Terrace with abbey views.

Roseberry Topping is only 320m high but is the nearest thing to a mountain we have round here. It is near the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, and it's a moderate walk to the summit. From the top there is a stunning 360 degree view; on a clear day you can see Teesside in one direction and the Yorkshire Dales in another

Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe in Gloucestershire is one of the few castles in England that is still occupied. It is part ruins, thanks to Cromwell and his men in the English Civil War. It was partly restored in the 19th century by the Dent family. Emma Dent was particularly active in the restoration and also created many of the wonderful gardens at Sudeley today.
Sudeley Castle website

I recently became a member of English Heritage, so this theme is for the properties I have visited. It is an organisation whose mission is to “protect and promote England's spectacular historic environment and ensure that its past is researched and understood”. A similar organisation is the National Trust which often works in cooperation with English Heritage.

Sutton Bank is yet another beautiful part of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. There is a visitors’ centre at the top of a steep bank, gradient 25%. Sutton Bank is located on the A170 between the small towns of Thirsk and Helmsley. From the excellent walks there are some stunning views over the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray. According to the author James Herriot, Sutton Bank affords the most beautiful views in England. There is also a gliding club.

As well as the actual moorland with its hills and dales, the North Yorkshire Moors National Park also includes some wonderful coastal villages and the town of Whitby.
A large section of the long distance walk, the Cleveland Way is on the cliffs of the North Yorkshire Coast

The North Yorkshire Moors is in the North-east of England. Britain has 75% of the world’s remaining moorland and the North Yorkshire Moors has the biggest continuous area of moors in England. It is designated as a Special Scientific Sight of Interest (SSSI), giving it protection at European level. It is important as a habitat for birds such as curlew, lapwing, golden plover and merlin, Sheep farming also helps maintain the vegetation and moorland sheep are seen roaming freely.

I've set this up in addition to my Laos travelogue and it will contain most of my posts from Xiang Kuang Province as they are all touched in some way by the Secret War, waged by the USA on NE Laos. Laos became the most bombed country on earth and no-one knew about it. 1/4 of Lao people are still affected today.

Thorp Perrow Arboretum is near Bedale in North Yorkshire.
The Arboretum covers 85 acres of woodland walks. It boasts the finest collection of trees and shrubs in the country. It was created by Colonel Sir Leonard Ropner Bt.(1885-1977) and is now owned and managed by his son Sir John Ropner Bt. It also has a falconry, with regular displays. As well as woodland walks they have a full programme of activities, many of which are for children so it can be a fun family day out.