Gentle farmed hills and old estates between the Vale of York and the moors, easy walking and a great house
The Howardian Hills are a low, rolling ridge of farmland, woods and parkland linking the Yorkshire Wolds to the North York Moors. It is comfortable, unhurried walking country, more field-path and estate than mountain. The grandest sight is Castle Howard, the great domed house set in its own sweep of parkland, lakes and follies.
The National Landscape covers 204 square kilometres. Castle Howard was designed by John Vanbrugh, who was a playwright rather than a trained architect and had never built anything before; it was his first building, and it turned into one of the boldest houses in England. The River Derwent winds along the southern edge, a quiet, wildlife-rich river, and Nunnington Hall sits on the Rye to the north.
This is easy-going country for most of the year, good for families and gentle days out. Rights of way cross the farmland, so stick to the paths and close the gates behind you.
