A thirty minute solo tour Castle Bolton which has been owned by the same family since it was completed in 1399. Part of it is in ruins and the rest is quite intact. I absolutely love how visitors are basically given free rein in these places, with precarious steps and minimal handrails. I was able to climb to the top of the roof for a fabulous view of Wensleydale – something that would never be allowed in the litigious USA! Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner in some of the rooms I viewed and I later visited other castles claiming to have held her captive. She must have made her rounds in the Dales.
Riding the train from Settle to Carlisle, through tunnels and across the dales and stone viaducts.
Hiking up Helms Knott (a pretty steep hill) behind our bed and breakfast through the sheep pasture to the top for a 360 degree view of Dentdale. The sheep ran from me, but I really liked walking near them.
Lunch at elegant Netherwood Hotel & Spa, a former grand estate with room after room of exquisite wood paneling, overlooking the Morecambe Bay. 
Touring Blackwell, England’s finest surviving Arts and Crafts house by M.H.Baillie Scott. It is a wonderful combination of steep-pitched slate roofs, pebble and dash stucco, lead glass windows and sandstone mullions overlooking Lake Windermere. The interior, with its beautiful workwork, interesting and varying ceiling heights, window seats and hearth benches reminded me of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs.

Visiting the still-lived-in Dalemain with so much original paneling, furniture and wall paper. The home has been in the same family for over 300 years and some of the rooms date back to the 14th centuary.

Walking through rooms in Castle Skipton, a well-preserved medieval castle over 900 years old. The Tudor courtyard with its old yew tree was so picturesque.
Finding and visiting the workroom of Sophie’s Wild Woolens, meeting Sophie and selecting one of her beautiful creations to bring home.
