Taking advantage of blisteringly good weather, DAN RUTSTEIN visited the beautiful holes and waterfalls of North Yorkshire

One of the best things about living in York is being able to escape to the countryside

After a long week at work, you can jump in your car and escape the bustling city for the peaceful tranquillity of a beautiful waterfall in only 75 minutes.

If you want the journey to last a little longer, you can stop for a scenic and impressive walk on the way, not to mention calling in at a wonderful pub for lunch.

This was how our day panned out when we visited Mallyan Spout in the Heartbeat village of Goathland, with a stop at the Hole of Horcum on the way. As you plough up the A169, the landscape suddenly plunges away on your left, leaving you with a view of the natural amphitheatre that is the Hole of Horcum.

With a free car park on your right, it is relatively easy to get out and have a wander round. For the mildly adventurous there are circular walks, but others can just dabble.

With the Legendary Saltersgate Inn watering appearing, some may find it difficult to walk for too long when a sumptuous lunch is beckoning. If you intend to take this trip, don't dally too long at the Hole: you don't want to miss the magic of Mallyan Spout.

To get there, you take a leisurely 15 minute downhill stroll out of Goathland before the clambering begins over a series of rocks to get to the waterfall.

The sun glints through the branches to create a lovely dappled pattern, and there is a constant soothing babbling from the water trickling over the rocks. It is far from a busy attraction, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the spot uninterrupted. The kids and the dogs can splash around in the shallow water while the more adventurous among us can try to see how wet we can get without slipping off the rocks.

Not surprisingly the walk back to Goathland is uphill, but after 25 minutes of walking (with two benches for rests) you reach the Spout Bar, where you can stop for a welcome pint. And to get your money's worth, you could walk round the whole of Horcum on the way home.

Fact file

How to get there:

By car: Take A64 to Malton and then A169 via Pickering towards Whitby, turning off at signposted road to Goathland. Path down to Mallyan Spout is next to the Mallyan Spout Hotel.

Distance from York: 50 miles (one hour and ten minutes). Hole of Horcum was on the way. Disabled access: good in flat village. Steep steps down to Mallyan Spout. Difficult paths at Hole.

Refreshments: Mallyan Spout Hotel and numerous tea-rooms in Goathland, Legendary Saltersgate Inn at the Hole.

PICTURE: The Hole of Horcum, a stunning natural amphitheatre on the North York landscape, is a magnet for visitors