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 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 or towards North Stainley to Visit Ripon.
Photo thanks to Richard Kendall