Stay in a 300-year-old pub in the heart of Herriot country

The roaring fires, flagstone floors and oak panelling inside The Durham Ox have been greeting visitors for centuries.

Situated in the historic village of Crayke, fans of All Creatures Great and Small will be quick to note its Herriot country roots, but it’s also the perfect starting point for ambles around the Yorkshire Dales, with Castle Howard, the historic city of York and many stately homes and gardens a short drive away. The pub is famed for its Sunday lunch, especially the mouth-watering Yorkshire beef roast, along with freshly-caught fish and vegetarian dishes.

Staying put? Five converted farm cottages and a comfortable studio suite upstairs make this an excellent wintry escape in a beautiful part of England.