Few places that show off autumn quite like North Yorkshire - Carl Les

Hard to beat! Almost matching the title of the TV programme – Heartbeat – that as well as presenting amusing tales of the straight and not so straight folk of the Moors also showed off our wonderful scenery to millions of viewers. Many in their thousands still come to find those picturesque places today even though Heartbeat has been off prime time TV for many years.

As the brighter days of summer give way to crisp mornings, golden landscapes and dramatic evening skies, our county takes on a character of its own. It is a time of year when the colours change, the pace slows a little, the crowds ease, and residents and visitors alike can rediscover the places that make North Yorkshire so special.

We are fortunate to have some of the finest landscapes in the country. From the sweeping views of the Dales and the wild beauty of the North York Moors to our coast, market towns, villages, forests and gardens, North Yorkshire offers an extraordinary mix of places to explore. In autumn, that variety becomes even more striking.

Activity breaks are abundant, extreme and more gentle. For those who enjoy walking, this is one of the best seasons to get outdoors. A walk through Dalby Forest, along the Cinder Track between Scarborough and Whitby, or up to viewpoints such as Captain Cook’s Monument near Great Ayton, or the Kilburn White Horse is a reminder of how much natural beauty we have close at hand, and that’s only on one side of the county! Importantly, there are also accessible routes, including Miles Without Stiles trails and locations offering tramper hire, helping more people to enjoy the outdoors.

Autumn is also a time to appreciate our gardens and historic places. Castle Howard, RHS Harlow Carr, Thorp Perrow’s arboretum and the Yorkshire Arboretum all come alive with colour. Our abbeys, castles and heritage sites take on a different atmosphere too, from Fountains Abbey and Rievaulx to Byland and Whitby Abbeys. Wherever you are there will be a dozen within striking distance. Together, they help to tell the history of North Yorkshire and continue to attract visitors from across the country and beyond.

Our food and drink offer is another reason to be proud of where we live. The Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival celebrates a tradition that is part of our identity, while our pubs, tearooms, restaurants, distilleries and farm shops showcase the quality and character of local produce.

Whether it is a fireside meal in a Wharfedale country inn, fish and chips by the coast, or a visit to Wensleydale Creamery, the visitor economy is built on the hard work and hospitality of local businesses.

Innovation is here too. We are getting used to the paperless society with payments and now receipts being made and sent by electronic means. Calling in at a favourite place, the Swinscoe’s Cheese Shop on the A65 near Settle, I also pop in to the little wine store there. They’ve just gone paperless and the receipt for my bottle of Beaujolais was on my phone before I got back to the car. However, I was also intrigued to see a hand painted sign saying ‘Meat’. Not seeing a butcher's shop on site I was directed to the small kiosk where they have remotely retailed coffee, ice cream and fresh milk for a while. The new addition is a large glass-fronted freezer cabinet with packs of meat displayed, all products from three small local farms. Again push button selection was accompanied by credit card swiping and an electronic receipt on my phone within minutes. It may not replace a visit to the butcher, or even supermarket meat counter, but it was handy and an excellent way of small outlets reaching a new market.

There is plenty for families too, and autumn is a great time to enjoy Halloween-themed events across North Yorkshire. October half-term offers plenty of family days out, from spooky storytelling and ghost walks, fireworks and pumpkin picking, alongside atmospheric events at our heritage sites. Darker evenings also offer the chance to enjoy our renowned night skies. The Dark Skies Fringe Festival across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks is a reminder that some of our greatest assets are not man-made at all.

Tourism matters enormously to North Yorkshire. It supports jobs, sustains businesses, brings life to our towns and villages and helps share our county’s story with the wider world. But it is not just about visitors. It is also about civic pride. Those of us who live here should never lose sight of, or respect for, what is on our doorstep.

This autumn, I would encourage people to make the most of everything our county has to offer by rediscovering what makes North Yorkshire so special and by supporting local businesses. It is not only a wonderful place to visit, but a place where we can all be proud to live, work and enjoy.

Coun Carl Les the Leader of North Yorkshire Council.