Northallerton Tourist Information
Northallerton, Yorkshire is home to an impressive array of tourist attractions, with something to suit all tastes. The workshop of the famous furniture maker Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson is located in nearby Kilburn, while Northallerton Falconry Centre allows visitors to get up close and personal with some of the world's most impressive birds of prey. Animal lovers can also visit Monk Park Animal Centre in Thirsk, a working farm where visitors can see rare breeds and feed the animals, including Shetland ponies, piglets and lambs. Similarly, Big Sheep and Little Cow Farm in Bedale allows visitors to bottle feed lambs and piglets, with play areas and pony rides also available.
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For a little more of a challenge, Northallerton Equestrian Centre offer riding lessons as well as livery and training services. For the more historically-minded, Northallerton is home to Eastby Abbey, a fantastic 12th Century ruin situated by the River Swale, as well as Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, the largest remains of a Cistercian Abbey in Europe with beautiful gardens providing a scenic walk.
Mouseman Visitor Centre near Northallerton
Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson was a local furniture maker in the 1930s whose trademark was a little mouse carved into each piece, rumoured to have stemmed from a conversation where he claimed to be "as poor as a church mouse". Ironically local churches ended up being home to much of Thompson's mouseman furniture, which quickly became famous for its exquisite craftsmanship.
Thompson's family still produce mouse furniture today with a showroom and visitors centre in the workshop in nearby Kilburn, where Thompson was born. Showcasing some of the finest mouseman oak furniture, the centre is a popular tourist attraction just a stone's throw from Northallerton.
Northallerton Falconry Centre
Northallerton Falconry Centre allows visitors to get back in touch with nature - literally. Some of the most magnificent birds of prey are yours to see and touch including the majestic peregrine falcon and other British birds of prey. In the calm setting of a beautiful English garden, Falcons, Hawks and Owls are part of an impressive show but be warned - falconry days include plenty of audience participation!
Your falconer for the day will also encourage you to hold the birds after the show and visitors can even sign up for falconry courses. Falconry and hawking are a great way to spend a day out in Northallerton, so why not swoop down for a closer look?
Willowman Festival
The Willowman Festival is a 4 Day music festival featuring some major festival and international artists such as - Alabama 3, Ade Edmondson & the Bad Shepherds, Chased by Wolves, Goldheart Assembly, Sparrow & the Workshop, Toploader, Easy Star All stars and Nick Harper just to mention but a few. Friendly family atmosphere with lots of childrens attractions, including circus skills workshop, face painting and art workshops. We have a selection of quality international food stalls along with a varied selection of trade stalls, healing tents and spiritual guidance. There is a Sentry Circle, a Stone circle which is regularly used as a Pagan place of worship on site too. The Willowman Festival offers excellent value for money. Adult Weekend Camping tickets are £70, Young Persons £35, Day tickets are also available for £25 per adult.
