We visited one of Britain's prettiest villages and didn't want to come home

We have plenty of pretty villages in Greater Manchester, but there are many others to be found if you're willing to travel a little further afield.

One that regularly tops the list of best places to visit is just two hours away in North Yorkshire.

On the edge of the North York Moors National Park, Thornton-le-Dale is a chocolate box village which has in fact won awards for being Britain’s prettiest village.

And on a little trip there with my family this Easter, it wasn't hard to see why.

A couple of miles east of Pickering, it's known for its picture-postcard beauty with charming thatched cottages and a bubbling beck running through it. On Easter Monday, 1,000 rubber ducks will be released into the water for the village's annual duck race to raise money for its Christmas lights.

The 17th Century Beck Isle Cottage, (main image), set back from the main street and just beside the beck, is one of Yorkshire's most photographed landmarks, often appearing in postcards, posters and calendars.

After parking at the main village centre car park in Maltongate, the short stroll to the main street, past the leafy duck pond, is a treat in itself. There's even a nature trail around the pond if you have time.

Walking or cycling routes can be picked up straight from the village - with Dalby Forest only a couple of miles away - but we were there to have a wander round the shops and grab a bite to eat.

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It's mostly home to independent traders, rather than chains, which gives it that unique feel and even has its own Chocolate Factory on the village square where you can pick up some handmade treats.

After a walk to the nearby Selbys Antiques and Fine Art showroom and a stroll down the beck, where the dog