2024 started on a high for us as the Inn was featured in The Guardian as one of the UK’s best country pubs for a winter escape. We’ve been delighted to welcome so many guests this winter, but now spring is here, it’s time to put out the log fires for another six months and enjoy some warmer weather.
Yorkshire was recently named one of the top three places to visit in the world in 2024 by Conde Nast Traveller. This may have been a surprise to the uninitiated, but there’s a reason we Yorkshire folk call it ‘God’s Own Country’.
At the Timble Inn, you’re perfectly placed to experience everything that makes Yorkshire special. The Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is on our doorstep and just beyond that, the Yorkshire Dales, the gorgeous spa town of Harrogate, and much more. This marvellous pocket of English countryside has so much to offer. Here’s what you can enjoy if you book a stay with us in 2024…
Explore Nidderdale on foot
Nidderdale is a walker’s dream, with over 500 miles of public paths traversing sweeping moorland, dramatic limestone formations and tranquil river valleys.
For an enjoyable walk right from the door of the Inn, head down to Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs, where sturdy and mostly flat paths make for a relaxing stroll.
The reservoirs are stunning all year round, whether glistening in the summer sun or burnished with the golds and reds of autumn. Be sure to call in at the Washburn Heritage Centre. Situated in an extension to the lovely Fewston church, you’ll find refreshment in the tea room and discover the area’s colourful history.
There’s something about walking by water – at once both calming and invigorating – and Nidderdale has rivers and reservoirs aplenty. Scar House and Thruscross reservoirs are further afield. Both are equally attractive and offer a more untroubled wander as they’re usually less busy. More seasoned walkers may prefer a more challenging route. The Pateley Bridge Circular Trail takes in ancient woodland and over rolling hills before passing through Brimham Rocks, known for its showstopping limestone formations.
Country shows
There’s no better way to experience Yorkshire’s charm, traditions and spirit than a country show.
The iconic Great Yorkshire Show returns to Harrogate on Tuesday the 9th to Friday the 12th of July for its 165th edition. This highlight of England’s agricultural calendar attracts over 30,000 visitors each day. With displays, competitions, demonstrations, a smorgasbord of food options and an eclectic mix of market stalls, you’re guaranteed a memorable day.
For a more intimate but no less enjoyable celebration of all things agricultural, try the Nidderdale show at Pateley Bridge on Sunday the 22nd of September, or the Otley Show on Saturday the 18th of May.
Food and Drink
While the country shows will certainly serve up plenty of fine local fare, true foodies may want to tuck into more of Yorkshire’s rich culinary scene.
The Harrogate Food Festival offers double portions, with two events two months apart. For starters, it heads to The Stray on the 29th and 30th of June. The main course takes place at Ripley Castle on the 24th and 26th of August. Both promise an irresistible array of international street food, independent drink, chef demonstrations, artisan food markets and live entertainment.
If you can’t wait until summer, try the Great British Food Festival at Harewood House. In addition to all the foodie staples, it offers more eclectic attractions such as eating contests, bake-offs and foraging walks through the picturesque grounds. It runs from the 25th to the 27th of May.
Flower Shows
Once a small provincial show, the Harrogate Flower Show has blossomed into a significant national event. The recent relocation of the Autumn Show to the stunning Newby Hall has proved a real hit. Both the Spring and Autumn shows feature dazzling floral displays, expert masterclasses and workshops, and the chance to buy something spectacular for your own garden.
Spring Show at Great Yorkshire Showground, 25th – 28th April 2024
Autumn Show at Newby Hall & Gardens, 13th – 15th September 2024
Soak Up Some History
The Timble Inn is just half an hour’s drive from a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Deer Park.
The Abbey is one of the largest and most complete Cistercian monasteries in the UK, and wandering it truly is like stepping back in time. Stroll around the majestic water gardens and up to Anne Boleyn’s seat, where the view will take your breath away.
Glorious all year round, each season brings new delights. Springtime is a blaze of colour as the flowers burst through the frost, while autumn brings out the trees’ copper and gold autumn regalia. On evenings through October and November, Fountains by Floodlight provides an enchanting experience as you explore the illuminated ruins at night, accompanied by live choral music.
The Deer Park offers a tranquil stroll and spectacular views, and you may well catch a glimpse of the 300-strong herd of red, sika and fallow deer that roam there.
Immerse Yourself In Literary Heritage
You’re perfectly placed to immerse yourself in Yorkshire’s literary heritage at the Timble Inn. Haworth, the home of the Bronte Sisters, is just a forty-minute drive away. Discover their story in the Bronte Parsonage Museum, their childhood home, and explore the moorland that inspired their famous tales. You’ll also find plenty to enjoy in the village itself, with a smattering of independent shops, cafes, pubs, as well as a heritage railway line.
October is the month for literature festivals in Yorkshire. Raworth’s Harrogate Literature Festival, described as one of the UK’s top 3 by the Guardian, returns in October with dates to be confirmed. Also, Ilkley Literature Festival runs from Friday the 4th to Sunday the 20th of October. Both attract renowned authors and leading lights from the creative world who delight audiences with workshops, classes, readings and more.
Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival also heads to Harrogate from the 18th to the 21st of July. Last year, the likes of Val McDermid, Lee Child, Ann Cleeves and more descended on Harrogate to deliver talks. It’s a globally renowned celebration of crime fiction where fans can spend the sunny days rubbing shoulders with bestselling authors.
Culture Trip
Harrogate, just a twenty minute drive from the Timble Inn, is home to a range of cultural venues, from the elegant Royal Hall to the modern auditorium at the Convention Centre. These venues draw eminent figures who tell their incredible stories. Highlights include:
- Major Sir Tim Peake, the UK’s first ESA astronaut, as he brings to life the extraordinary journey of a space explorer. 19th of September at Harrogate Convention Centre.
- Dick and Angel Strawbridge, as they take you behind the curtain of the world’s most beloved renovation project with never-before-heard tales. 3rd of November at Harrogate Convention Centre.
Harrogate also has a vibrant theatre scene, with an array of shows at Harrogate Theatre and Royal Hall. Our pick for 2024 is Bram Stoker’s Dracula, at Harrogate Theatre in mid-September.
Racing Around Nidderdale
Few areas of the UK match Yorkshire for racing heritage. Ripon is known as the ‘Garden Racecourse’, and is one of the UK’s most beautiful, while Wetherby hosts significant National Hunt meets. Both are just a half-hour’s drive from the Timble Inn. Why not base yourself here for your next big day at the races?
Our pocket of Yorkshire countryside offers so much to fill your days with joy and make lasting memories. The Timble Inn embodies the rural charm and welcoming spirit of Yorkshire, with touches of luxury and elegance throughout our award-winning rooms and restaurant. Basing yourself here as you explore God’s Own Country is sure to make your stay an unforgettable one. Choose your dates in the booking form below and book your 2024 Yorkshire escape.