This day out from York provides the opportunity to combine visits to two of the north's very best attractions, the award winning World of James Herriot Centre in Thirsk and the truly magnificent Castle Howard, together with stops in the picturesque traditional North Yorkshire Market Town of Helmsley and at Sutton Bank Visitor Centre to take in "England's finest view".

9.00am: The tour departs from near York Minster and heads out of the City into the Vale of York.

The first stop is in Thirsk for your visit to the World of James Herriot Centre (admission included) to see where the world's most famous vet lived, worked and relaxed. You will see his home and surgery and travel back in time to see what life was like when James was a vet in Yorkshire. You can see the car that he drove, step into the TV set of "All Creatures Great and Small", try your hand at being a vet and experience what it was like to hide in a World War 2 air raid shelter! You will also visit the nearby St. Mary's Church where Alf and Joan Wight married in 1941 - James Herriot is the pen name used by James Alfred "Alf" Wight for his series of books.

You will then leave Thirsk for the short journey to Helmsley, the only Market Town within the North York Moors National Park boundary, stopping en-route at the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre to take photographs from the spot that Alf Wight described as "The finest view in England".

There is a one hour stop in Helmsey and it is Market Day so you can browse the stalls and local produce of a traditional English Market, view the medieval castle, explore the quaint shops or just have lunch - the choice is yours!

On leaving Helmsley you will be able to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Howardian Hills as you make your way towards Castle Howard, Yorkshire's finest house and gardens and voted one of the World's Top Ten Greatest Mansions.

You will have about three hours to enjoy Castle Howard (admission included), which is a magnificent 18th century country residence set in 1000 acres of breathtaking landscape, an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" in the heart of North Yorkshire and home to the Howard family for over 300 years.

The tour then heads back to York, arriving back at the meeting point at around 5.30pm, but you should not book onward travel arrangements too close to the time of arrival back in York just in case of traffic problems.