Masham
Masham (pronounced Massam) is a traditional market town at the eastern end of Wensleydale, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It has a variety of shops including antiques, arts and crafts, glassware, clothes and provisions. It also offers pubs serving food, local cafes and restaurants.
There is a good choice of accommodation from a luxury castle (Swinton Park), a local hotel in the market square to good value bed and breakfasts (try the Garden House). All offer a warm welcome and a full English breakfast. Just outside of the town there is a very good touring caravan park and camp site (The Old Station Yard).The town still has a market day on Wednesdays and Saturdays where local produce and crafts are sold. Masham is ideal as a base for exploring the Dales and North York Moors as well as being near to York, Harrogate and Leeds for any extra shopping.
Masham has two well known breweries, Black Sheep and Theakston's; both have a visitors centre for food or sampling their ales. If you feel energetic Masham Golf Club offers a nine hole course close to the town and the nearby Masham Riding and Trekking Centre will train and guide you on a ride through the local countryside.
To the North is the town of Leyburn from where you can go west on the A684 to Hawes, home of Wensleydale cheese and still be back to Masham in time for a leisurely supper or dinner.
