Heard of "Windsor of the North"? Go to Middleham in the heart of Wensleydale and you'll notice that the houses clustered around the market place are grander than in most Dales villages. Wander a little more and peak down the courtyards and through the gates of the buildings just off the square and you'll notice many stables.
At the time of King Richard III, Middleham was an important market town and political centre - you can still see the extensive remains of his fortified palace. Richard III came to his childhood home, Middleham Castle to learn the skills of knighthood.
Even now there's something a little stately about the place. Walk up the hill out of Middleham to see the gallops, the area on the moor, where race-horses are trained. There are also many small reminders of the past around Middleham's cobbled square too.
Go early in the morning - it's a particularly imposing sight to watch the horses galloping on the misty moor and then clip clopping down the hill to their respective stables. Middleham has around 15 racehorse trainers and stables and is home to over 500 horses.
