ALL THINGS WISE AND WONDERFUL

A Druid's temple, TV vets and a hornblowing spectacle! Making a return trip to North Yorkshire, Nigel Hutson explores the region's eclectic attractions

In 2023, we took a trip to coincide with the Great Holiday Home Show, which was held in Harrogate. Staying nearby, we enjoyed exploring the area and visiting the show.

Last year, we decided to do the same again, although the event was now called the Great Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show.

We also changed our choice of campsite.

West Leas Farm CL, near the village of Kirkby Malzeard, six miles north-west (ish) of Ripon, is a place we've stayed at several times before, and one that we'll return to many times in the future - you'll get the idea that we like it there!

Views of the Dales

A couple of hours' drive saw us arriving at West Leas Farm, just as the heavens opened. Luckily, the moment we'd set up, the rain stopped and the sun came out, affording us splendid views towards the west and the Yorkshire Dales.

Next morning, we needed to get provisions and Ripon was our destination. Last year, we bought joint annual tickets for the Courthouse Museum, the Prison & Police Museum and the Workhouse Museum. These were still in date, so we visited the Workhouse Museum (where we luckily found on street parking outside) after doing some essential shopping.

Built in 1854, the Workhouse occupies two buildings. Starting in the Gatehouse, you follow an inmate's journey, from admission, through baths and fumigation, to the cells where the vagrants slept. In the main block, you see the Master's study and dining room, the pantry and classroom, and the inmates' dining room.

The dormitories aren't open to the public as other businesses occupy those parts of the building, but you certainly get a good idea of the hardships and indignity of the place.

An interesting film provides re-enacted scenarios, together with lots of photographs of the institution when it was in operation.

Cathedral and Abbey