If you're going to Yorkshire, no matter where you're going, you need to stay at Fountain Guest House in Ripon. The city itself (as small as a town but with a lovely Cathedral!) has some fascinating museums and places of interest, but just short drives will also take you to fabulous places such as Fountains Abbey and Newby Hall and Ripley Castle (with fabulous ice cream to be found in the charming village of Ripley). It's also not a long drive to the city of York and countless other must see destinations.
The reason you must stay at Fountain Guest House if you're visiting the county of Yorkshire, is that you won't find anywhere better to stay. The family who own and run it are some of the loveliest, friendliest people I've ever met and they keep the house in wonderful condition, beautifully furnished and perfectly clean. The breakfast is always delicious, the rooms always warm and inviting and the hosts always go out of their way to ensure a delightful stay where you feel so very welcome.
I've stayed with them many times and they always remember me and our previous conversations, even if it's been a year between visits! The little details they put into each room, such as hot chocolate for those (like me) who don't drink tea or coffee, never go amiss. Each room has everything you could possibly need or want from good tv to lovely power showers to drinks and biscuits that are somehow always just what you needed.
I've stayed with a cousin of mine on more than one occasion and she too, as a keen traveller, has always said how Fountain Guest House makes every other guest house and b&b pale in comparison.
Put simply, it's the best place I've ever stayed in, and I've stayed in everywhere from the Ritz on Central Park to a 5 star wine estate in Cape Town. Nowhere can match them for comfort and friendliness so you feel like you're in a home away from home.
I look forward to many more visits in the future!

Cheerful welcome from Scott. 10-year old duaghter and I enjoyed a peaceful stay. One of the few Ripon B&Bs not to charge a surchard for one-night stays on a weekend!
We enjoyed an easy 10 min walk to the city centre to hear the nightly watchman telling potted history and crying the night watch. Good breakfast, with entertaining list of animals shot by local duke last century

5 of us stayed on the coast-to-coast cycle ride. Great welcome from Scott. Bikes stashed securely. Big clean rooms. Best breakfast we had. Easy walk to the town. Recommended.

Delicious breakfast, beautiful rooms and great value. A real gem of the north, we're trying to find an excuse to come back and stay again sometime!!