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Fine Country Lodges sits in the East Riding, with North Yorkshire’s market towns and the Yorkshire Dales both within striking distance — though it’s honest to say they’re not all equally close. Harrogate and Ripon make an easy day out at around an hour’s drive; the Dales themselves are further, closer to a full day trip than a quick pop-over. Here’s what’s genuinely within reach.
✅ Harrogate — around an hour’s drive. Elegant spa town, known for its gardens, tea rooms and the Turkish Baths.
✅ Ripon — similar distance to Harrogate. A small cathedral city with one of England’s oldest continuously-inhabited streets.
✅ Thirsk — a bit further, but a pleasant market town on the edge of the Dales and Moors, known as James Herriot country.
We won’t pretend the Dales are on the doorstep — from our park, Skipton, Wensleydale and Malham are realistically a full day trip rather than a quick drive. What you get for that drive is some of the best scenery in the country: drystone walls, waterfalls, and market towns like Skipton and Grassington that are worth building a whole day around.
If you’d rather keep your day trips shorter, our East Yorkshire and near York pages cover areas that are a much shorter drive from the park.
Every lodge we sell, new or pre-owned, comes with the same 12-month holiday licence, wherever you plan on exploring. For the North Yorkshire coast at Scarborough and Whitby, see our Yorkshire coast page instead.
Realistically around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on exactly where in the Dales you’re heading. It’s further than our coast or East Yorkshire options, but a rewarding full day out.
Yes — around an hour’s drive, similar to Ripon, making both an easy day out rather than a special occasion.
Yes, on both new and pre-owned lodges — get in touch to discuss options.
