(Image: ARCHIVE)
Just minutes from one of northern England's busiest motorways lies a historic Yorkshire market town with a past stretching back thousands of years.
Boroughbridge sits close to the A1(M) in North Yorkshire, but its traditional high street, riverside setting and remarkable ancient landmarks feel far removed from the traffic.
The town lies beside the River Ure, between Harrogate and Thirsk, and has long been an important stopping point for travellers passing through the region.
Today, it offers a quieter alternative to the motorway, with independent shops, cafés, historic buildings and countryside walks all within easy reach.
However, some of its most extraordinary attractions date back long before the town itself.
Ancient stones older than the town
One of Boroughbridge's most unusual landmarks is the Devil's Arrows, a group of three enormous standing stones situated near the town.
The stones are believed to date from the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, making them several thousand years old.
The Devil's Arrows, a group of three enormous standing stones situated near the town (Image: ARCHIVE)
Standing up to almost seven metres tall, they are among the most impressive prehistoric monuments in northern England.
Their name comes from a legend claiming the Devil hurled the stones towards the nearby town of Aldborough.
The stones remain a striking reminder that the area was important to people long before modern roads and settlements appeared.
A Roman town on its doorstep
The town became a major administrative centre in Roman Britain and was the capital of the Brigantes' territory.
Today, visitors can explore the remains of Roman town walls and see remarkable mosaic floors preserved at Aldborough Roman Site.
The connection gives Boroughbridge another link to a period of history that many drivers travelling along the A1(M) might never realise is so close.
A town shaped by trade and travel
Boroughbridge grew in importance because of its position on historic routes through Yorkshire.
Its market tradition dates back to the medieval period, when traders and travellers gathered here to buy and sell goods.
The town also played a part in national history during the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322.
The battle saw forces loyal to King Edward II defeat rebel barons, including Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, who was subsequently executed.
Today, the town's historic character survives in its traditional streets and buildings.
Independent shops, cafés and pubs give the centre a character that contrasts with the nearby motorway services and major roads.
Riverside walks and countryside
Boroughbridge's position beside the River Ure is another reason to explore.
The river and surrounding countryside offer opportunities for walking, wildlife watching and enjoying a slower pace of life.
The nearby villages and open farmland also make the town a useful starting point for exploring this part of North Yorkshire.
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Visitors can combine a stroll around the town centre with a visit to the Devil's Arrows or nearby Aldborough.
More than a motorway stop
For thousands of drivers using the A1(M), Boroughbridge is simply another name on a road sign.
But leave the motorway behind and a different side of North Yorkshire emerges.
With prehistoric standing stones, Roman remains, medieval history and a traditional market town atmosphere, Boroughbridge has far more to offer than its position beside one of Britain's busiest roads might suggest.