Retirement Properties Spotlight in Masham

Masham is thought to have been founded in the 7th century. The Vikings later introduced sheep to the area and during the middle ages it developed into a small town. With increasing wealth generated from the flocks of sheep of the local abbeys a number of Georgian houses were built around the large market place.

Ripon is about ten miles to the southeast. It is the second city of North Yorkshire situated at the confluence of the Laver and Skell which form the River Ure. In the middle ages the city owed its prosperity to the wool industry and later to the making of spurs. It has a well known racecourse famous for staging Britain's first race for women in the early 18th century. Today it is very much a tourist centre due to its World Heritage Status and beautiful Fountains Abbey and nearby Studley Royal Park.