Morton House and the Stable Block

05/06/2026

Just a short drive from Masham is the little village of West Tanfield. Take the time to stop and walk through the churchyard to view this tower. It's a lovely quiet spot to enjoy a pretty view and you have two pubs to choose from for a bit of Yorkshire pub grub!

Italy? France? No, it's West Tanfield in the Yorkshire Dales near Masham. You can still visit the lovely 15th century Marmion Tower, once part of the manor house by the River Ure owned by Knight John Marmion, and eventually the brother of Catharine Parr (6th wife of King Henry VIII - the one who survived!) whose house was nearby - but that's a tale for another day...

When you visit the Marmion Tower, look out for the gorgeous, romantic Oriel window on the side, once a lovely place to sit and look out. Inside you'll see the vaulted ceiling, latrine, fireplace, squint to look out into the passage and even a window supposedly designed for dogs to use as a look out!

Close to the Tower is the small village church where you can still see several intricately carved effigies and the remarkable alabaster tombs of John Marmion and his wife, complete with a rare iron framework and candle holders, known as a 'hearse'.

West Tanfield was an important river crossing, once with a ferry and then a ford and finally the imposing current bridge. The power and reach of the monks at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust stretched all the way here, with one of their granges. West Tanfield still has two pubs. The The Bull Inn, West Tanfield has a fine riverside garden, and the former 18th century coaching inn The Bruce Arms serves excellent food.

In the field between the two pubs you'll usually see two grazing donkeys and across the road the wonderful small Tanfield Village Shop which manages to cram in all kinds of tasty treats. Perhaps you can make a picnic and enjoy walking part of the Rowel Ring walk, either going towards Mickley and on to Visit Masham to or towards North Stainley to Visit Ripon

Photo thanks to Richard Kendall

02/06/2026

We visited here not long after I arrived in the UK ... after watching Brideshead Revisited we went to Castle Howard and took in all the grandeur of this fantastic property. And visiting at Christmas 🎄 it's another world. Add it to your list of Yorkshire places to see for yourself 😉

June has arrived and brings with it thousands of red poppies.

The poppies, which can be seen across fields to the south of the House, have returned thanks to cultivation, not using herbicides, and recent hot, dry weather.

We are actively reverting the fields to a species rich parkland landscape, and they will be cut for hay following the nesting season. Over the next few years, we will be lightly grazing the fields with cattle.

📷 Nick Howard

Image description: A vast field of red poppies stretches toward Castle Howard under a partly cloudy sky.

29/05/2026

A nice little history lesson including the river Ure which runs through Masham. When you visit try and join one of our Local History Tours to find out some more Visit Masham

A peaceful river - essential part of our history. The 74-mile River Ure has its source close to the River Eden and the dramatic gorge called Hell Gill in Wensleydale. Centuries ago, Wensleydale (before it took its name from the village of Wensley) was once known as Uredale or Yoredale, after the Celtic origins of the word Isura meaning swift river.

In Neolithic times, the river was history’s equivalent of a motorway, connecting people in the West to settlements in east Yorkshire; a time when stone axe blades made in Langdale in Cumbria were valued enough to be transported down the Ure towards the Wolds.

Later, the Romans decided to use land next to the highest navigable point of the River Ure to create the civilian northern capital of Isurium Brigantum, now known as Aldborough.

As the Ure flowed east, settlements such as Wensley and Middleham sprang up as wealthy landowners made the most of the river’s fertility.

After the Norman invasion, the river became a strategic location as the Normans fought to control local uprisings by building castles at Middleham and Bolton Castle.

Thanks to the Normans, and a vital wooden bridge crossing the Ure, the town of Boroughbridge grew rapidly with the river becoming a trade artery along with the Great North Road.

In Medieval times, the Cistercian monks gave up on an exposed site near Aysgarth and relocated to a sheltered, fertile spot on the south side of the river Ure, building Jervaulx Abbey and prospering from cheesemaking and horse breeding.

And then came the Industrial revolution. In the upper reaches of the Ure, the swift currents were harnessed to drive mills at places like Aysgarth for the production of wool, cotton and flax. While in the Lower Ure locks were built at Milby and Westwick to bypass the weirs enabling barges to connect with the Ouse and Ripon Canal, transporting lime, coal and timber.

Words & image -Amanda Brown

19/05/2026

So pleased to have been involved in the BBC's Escape to the Country, a small part of something truly special.

🏡BRAND NEW SERIES🏡

Our fantastic new series continues today with Richie Anderson, who's house-hunting in North Yorkshire with Sarah. She's on the hunt for a beautiful stone cottage in a thriving community, on a budget of £220,000, and is joined on the search by her son Christian.

Tuesday 19th May 2026
BBC1 3pm & iPlayer
S27 Ep2 North Yorkshire +



ettc

19/05/2026

We'll be watching today ..

Don’t Miss Escape To The Country – TODAY! 🌿

Tune in to BBC One at 3:00pm this afternoon (Tuesday 19 May) to catch Masham featured on the show!

You may spot Jude and Julie from the Community Office, along with Morton House and the Stable Block, who is expecting to be aired.

This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase Mashamshire and our amazing community. We’re excited to watch the episode and hope to see even more familiar faces featured throughout the programme.

If you manage to catch the episode, we’d love to hear your thoughts - let us know what you think in the comments below! 👇

In recognition of this, Morton House will also be offering MCO followers an exclusive discount… 👀 Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

04/05/2026

Two Destinations - One Decision - https://mailchi.mp/35eab4cf8bb2/two-great-destinations-one-easy-decision

Imagine experiencing not just one, but two exceptional stays—each with its own unique charm. When you book a stay with us at one of our properties, you’ll unlock an exclusive preferred rate at our second location, along with a selection of thoughtful extras to enhance your visit.

£1,200 for up to 10 guests in Morton House

Book direct for this special offer
www.mortonhouseuk.com

15/02/2026

Roll on Summer 🌞

A sneaky peak of the summer calendar at TWB.
A summer of fun,laughter and music.
GOOD TIMES

13/02/2026

Springtime in Harrogate ... the stray is a pink 🩷 paradise

12/02/2026

The community spirit is alive and well in Masham.

11/02/2026

Your country Escape

If your year could use a little more open spaces, fewer emails
and long country walks — Yorkshire may have the answer.

Spring and summer are made for slowing down: strolls in the Dales, unhurried mornings, Masham on the doorstep and evenings that don’t involve a schedule.

If you’re thinking about a holiday this year, we’d love you to spend it with us — we think Yorkshire really is Gods Own Country.

Do have a look at our calendar if a Yorkshire escape sounds tempting!