2009 brings the Ingilbys of Ripley Castle near Harrogate to two milestones.

It's 700 years since the family became keepers of the original castle in 1309. And the year also marks the silver wedding of Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby.

The couple have five children.

Favourite restaurant

I have to admit that I do enjoy lunch in my own bar in the Boars Head on the Ripley estate where they make a delicious mushroom stroganoff. That apart, my favourite restaurant in the North is the Yorke Arms at Ramsgill just above Pateley Bridge. We will be there next month for our silver wedding anniversary.

Favourite view

I love any sign that says welcome to Yorkshire!

There are so many stunning views in the dales but a place that I go to when I need to reflect is a little lane near to Castle Bolton. I can see Middleham to the right and Whernside and, I think, Penhill in front and both Wensleydale and the very top of Nidderdale.

Bolton Castle, steeped in history, is on the right.

When the sun is shining, you feel right on the edge of heaven.

My favourite landmark

My father’s family is very much an old York family so I get a thrill when I can catch a glimpse, any glimpse, of the Minster as it sits within the city of York. It makes me feel as if I am coming home.

Favourite day out I love horses and racing and we have a plethora of wonderful racecourses in the North. Ripon Racecourse is our nearest and has tremendously good meetings. I am a member at York Racecourse and during Ebor week we have a picnic in the car park with friends. Racing is a wonderful sport as so many different people from all walks of life can enjoy it. I always have a wonderful time, which is lucky as I nearly always back the wrong horses. The Committee box at York is the ultimate place to have lunch and get the gossip and the best view of the Post.

Favourite walk

I tend to walk with a close girlfriend around Fewston and Menston Reservoir. She is an artist and we love the different seasons and the different light on the water. We take our two dogs and gossip the whole way round, thus getting plenty of air in our lungs as well as inches off the waist.

Favourite shop

We are very lucky to have so many food producers and I am tempted to choose one of the many very good delicatessens full of locally supplied food, but sadly I have to admit to having a preference for clothes shops. I prefer small boutiques with personal service where my budget and my style are respected.

I love equally Lynx and Morgan Clare in Harrogate. They have very different but well sourced collections. I will miss Woolworths from our high street as I have happy childhood memories of being allowed a pic’n’mix choice after visiting my grandmother in York in the Sixties.

Favourite holiday

… any holiday with my family. Because our lives at Ripley Castle are so public and the castle is so busy, we take a house in Mallorca for three weeks in the summer near Pollenca. The young invite friends to stay and Thomas and I seem to spend the entire time at the airport or in the shops buying food and rosé wine and barbecuing whole flocks of lamb, but we love every minute of it.

EVENTS AT RIPLEY

April 11-13 Easter egg hunts; 18 Ripley Blues – The Blockheads celebrate 700 years of the Ingilby family at the castle at Ripley Town Hall; 24 Harrogate Male Voice Choir; May 2-3 Carriage driving; 8-9 Marie Curie Cancer clay pigeon shoot and Crystal Ball; 25 Classic car rally; June 4-7 Grand summer sale.

Ripley Castle, North Yorkshire HG3 3AY

ripleycastle.co.uk