Masham
North Yorkshire
The town is well-known for its two breweries, Theakston's and the Black Sheep Brewery, both of which have visitor centres.
Masham has a market charter dating back to the mid-13th century. Its market place, surrounded by fine Georgian buildings, is huge for a town of Masham's size and stems from large sheep markets having being held there in the past.
Masham Sheep Fair (September 26-27, 2020) celebrates a time when as many as 70,000 sheep were sold there each year.
Masham has a number of galleries and studios where local artists and craftspeople work, including a glassmaker producing glass ornaments.
Town features
Masham is close to the Nidderdale National Landscape.
The town is on the River Ure and River Burn.
Masham has local traders and a supermarket. Masham offers butchers, clothes, crafts, sweets, an outdoor market (Wed Sat).
The town has a Post Office branch.
Masham has a choice of pubs. 
Restaurant dining and cafes can be found in Masham.
Takeaway food outlets in the town include fish and chips, sandwiches.
There are public toilets in the town with limited hours of use. Locations of toilets and opening times can be found at this North Yorkshire Council - Public toilets web page.. (8am-8pm).
Places of worship: Anglican, Methodist.
Places to stay in Masham include hotel, guest house, caravan, camping accommodation.
Travel
Bus travel
The town has buses to neighbouring towns and villages. Services to Ripon, Leyburn, Richmond.
Road travel
Masham can be reached via the A6108 B6267 B6268 . Places to visit
Ripon
One of Yorkshire's historic cities, Ripon has a cathedral dedicated in 672 which was founded by St Wilfred, the Abbot of the monestary of Ripon. The smallest of Yorkshire's seven cities, Ripon also continues ancient traditions, including The Ripon Hornblower who blows the horn at the town's Obelisk in its Market Place at 9pm each evening. Ripon also features some fascinating museums revealing its historic past: a Prison and Police Museum, a Workhouse Museum and Garden and a Courthouse Museum. Find out more about 
The Wensleydale Railway
A heritage railway service into Wensleydale running from Scruton and Leeming Bar, near the
Further information at the 
Wensleydale Railway
Wensleydale Railway
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Fountains, near Ripon, North YorkshireA World Heritage site containing Britain's most complete Cistercian abbey ruins. Fountains Abbey dates from 1132 when it became the home of 13 monks. The water gardens in the wooded valley of the River Skell were a Georgian addition to the Studley Royal Estate with features including classical statues, follies and garden buildings. Also on the estate are the 12th century Fountains Mill, the early 17th century Fountains Hall, the Porter's Lodge exhibition in the abbey gatehouse, St Mary's Church, a splendid Victorian Gothic Church, and a deer park. The estate is off the
Find out more at the
National Trust - Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Marmion Tower
West TanfieldAn impressive stone gatehouse to a lost manor house beside the River Ure which was once the manor of Elizabeth Parr, grandmother of Queen Katherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of King Henry VIII. The manor passed to Elizabeth Parr in 1513, but the gatehouse is now its only significant remains. The gatehouse was originally built during the latter part of the 14th century but has been remodelled several times. Its first floor has a splendid projecting oriel window. The 69 spiral steps of the tower can be climbed during its daily opening times. The tower is managed by English Heritage and there is no admission charge.
More information at the
English Heritage - Marmion Tower Jervaulx Abbey
Jervaulx, near East Witton, North YorkshireJervaulx Abbey is the ruins of a Cistercian monastery dedicated in 1156. They are set in tranquil and beautiful parkland in Wensleydale, the valley of the River Ure. The abbey is privately-owned and became a visitor attraction, wedding venue and film and photography location after many years of conservation work at the end of the 20th century. A visitor centre displays a model of the abbey as it would have originally looked and the abbey also offers accommodation. The tea rooms at the venue were recently closed. Jervaulx is located along the
MiddlehamFind out more at the
Jervaulx AbbeyFind on map:
Jervaulx Abbey
Middleham Castle
Castle Hill, Middleham, North YorkshireMiddleham has substantial remains of a castle built in stages between the 12th and 15th centuries, including a late 12th century keep which is one of the largest hall keeps in the country. Ditch and timber defences were not replaced with the low stone curtain wall until the early 14th century. It is notable as the place where, in the 1460s, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who later became King Richard III, spent several years of his youth under the guardianship of his cousin Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. During the War of the Roses, King Edward IV was imprisoned at Middleham Castle for a short time in 1469. The castle is managed by English Heritage.
More information at these
English Heritage - Middleham CastleFind on map:
Middleham Castle
Lightwater Valley
North StainleyLightwater Valley is a theme park in 70 hectares of countryside off the A6108 near North Stainley about 4 miles north-north-west of Ripon. It includes more than 40 rides and themed attractions aimed at under-12s.
Find Lightwater Valley on map.
Lightwater Valley
The World of James Herriot
23 Kirkgate, ThirskThis museum paying tribute to vet and author James Herriot offers a wealth of things to see at his original practice surgery. The writer, whose real name was James Alfred Wight, wrote a series of semi-autobiographical books through the 1970s which were adapted for two films and a popular BBC TV series. Alf Wight continued to write through the 1980s and early 1990s, focusing more on children's books later in his life. The museum presents the house as it would have been in the 1940s and has an air-raid shelter in the cellar. There is a big display of veterinary instruments from the past to the modern day, a farrier's workshop, a massive collection of James Herriot memorabilia and a behind the scenes look at TV's 'All Creatures Great and Small' including a restored vintage car used in the series.
Further information at
The World of James Herriot Find Thirsk on map
Thorp Perrow
Kings Keld Bank, near Snape, 2 miles south of Thorp Perrow Arboretum has one of the UK's finest collection of trees, including rare trees and shrubs. Located alongside the woodlands is a Bird of Prey and Mammal Centre with birds from around the world. There are regular flying demonstations when the weather is good. The mammals include meerkats, wallabies, goats and rare breed sheep. Thorp Perrow also has a children's playground and tea room. In addition to its regular opening times, Thorp Perrow has a programme of special events and experience days.
More information at the
Thorp PerrowLocate on map:
Thorp Perrow Nidderdale National Landscape
Extending across an area of 232 square miles (600 sq km), the Nidderdale National Landscape starts 4 miles from 
Yorkshire Dales National Park
After going through the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the 841 square miles (2,179 square kilometers) of the Yorkshire Dales National Park starts just 15 miles west of Ripon. Find out more on our 
Emergency services
North Yorkshire Police North Yorkshire PoliceNorth Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue ServiceYorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Local government
Civil parish council
Masham Parish CouncilProvides some local services in the area.
Link to council website:
Masham Parish CouncilUnitary authority
The North Yorkshire Council is a new unitary authority formed from the previous County Council from April 1, 2023. It covers the existing county duties including highways, schools, libraries and transport planning over an area of 3,109 square miles while also taking over the responsibilities of the seven huge district authorities also created in 1974 — Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby — these including local planning, waste collection, street cleaning, parks and car parks, housing and markets serving a population of around 615,500*.
Councillors were elected to the County Council in 2022 and continue as councillors of the new North Yorkshire Council unitary authority. There have been a few by-elections to fill councillor vacancies since then.
Places in 
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Link to council website: North Yorkshire Council
North Yorkshire Council Open Government Licence v3.0Political composition:
CI = Conservative & Independent NY Ind = North Yorkshire Independents group LC = Labour & Cooperative
Composition and groupings - source North Yorkshire Council (February 2024)
Strategic authority
York and North Yorkshire Combined AuthorityThe York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was created in December 2023 combining the unitary authority of York and the unitary authority of North Yorkshire — that created in April 2023 after the abolition of the county authority and its seven district authorities. The combined authority will run some functions under the new mayor elected in May 2024 as part of the government's so-called "Devolution deal" which ties the availablity of funding to the new governance arrangements. As well as having powers over housing development, transport and boosting skills and education across the 3,214 square miles of York and North Yorkshire, the elected mayor also takes on the role and functions of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner across the area.
Elected mayor:
York and North Yorkshire Combined AuthorityPolice, Fire and Crime Commissioner
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner North YorkshireCovers the county of
City of York Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner North YorkshireParliamentary constituency
Skipton and RiponElected MP:
National government region
Yorkshire and the HumberCeremonial county
North YorkshireHistoric
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