The community I built with ADHD Menopause and Me has been amazing. My account was initially set up to support me and my kids through some pretty tough years. We went from a ‘typical’ family to an ND family with diagnoses of Dyslexia, Delayed Processing, ADHD and now Autism. All in the space of 5 years. I was trying to navigate menopause and raise awareness, but I couldn’t understand why I found it so hard. Walking alongside my boys through their diagnosis journeys taught me something unexpected. I was neurodivergent too. Suddenly, a lifetime of feelings I couldn’t explain began to make sense.

My journey looks different now. The boys are older, and life has shifted. But you are still here — and that means everything. I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you.

How We Got Here

Our youngest’s move to secondary school was, in a word, hard. What we’d hoped would be a fresh start quickly revealed itself to be something more significant. His struggles were deeper and more complex than any of us had fully understood.

Over the years that followed, getting him into school at all became the daily battle. Alongside the dyslexia and ADHD we already knew about, it became increasingly clear that he was also autistic with a PDA profile. Once we understand that, so much of what had felt confusing suddenly makes sense. But his difficulties at school were almost secondary to what was happening socially. Too trusting, too easily led, and younger than his years in ways that weren’t always visible on the surface. I watched him begin to form friendships that worried me. Find himself in situations I couldn’t always protect him from.

It was a lot. For him, and for all of us.

At the same time, life was shifting in other ways. Our two eldest had flown the nest, and for the first time in years, there was space. Space to breathe, to think, and to ask what came next. More than a decade earlier, we had built our first home from the ground up, and that itch had never really gone away.

So we made a decision. A deliberate, wholehearted one. We would move somewhere rural, somewhere slower, somewhere that might give Sam a genuine fresh start in an environment that actually suited him — and give us a new project to pour ourselves into, while still being a home our boys could always come back to.

What How Felicity Finds is now

If you’d asked me a year ago what this space was going to become, I’m not sure I could have told you. But standing in the middle of a half-finished Victorian farmhouse in North Yorkshire, covered in renovation dust with an ADHD brain running at full speed and a body doing its best impression of a malfunctioning thermostat, it became pretty clear.

How Felicity Finds is the honest version of this chapter.

It’s the farmhouse — Hall Farm, Victorian, Grade II listed, full of original features and full of renovation challenges I absolutely did not anticipate. I’ll be sharing every step of the restoration here, the wins, the disasters, the moments where we question every decision we’ve ever made. And of course, the ones where we look at an original sash window and remember exactly why we did this.

It’s the village — Thornton-le-Dale is the kind of place you move to and immediately wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. The beck, the countryside, the slower pace of it all. I want to share what rural life actually looks like when you swap a village just outside the busy city of York for somewhere with a slower pace, woodland in your back garden and the North Yorks Moors on your doorstep.

It’s the ND life — I’m AuDHD and menopausal and a mum to three boys who each come with their own version of complex, and I’m not going to pretend any of that is straightforward. The real talk about neurodivergence, perimenopause, and parenting ND kids stays, because it’s part of every single day here, and it deserves to be spoken about honestly.

And it’s the finds — the things that actually help. Products, tools, places, services that make life in this particular messy, beautiful chaos a little more manageable. Always honest, never just because I’ve been asked.

If you’re a woman in your forties navigating a big life change — or dreaming of one — and you want company that doesn’t pretend it’s easy, you are absolutely in the right place.

What’s coming…

I have a lot planned, and for once, the ADHD hyperfocus is working entirely in our favour.

Every Friday, I’ll be posting a Farmhouse Friday update — one room, one decision, one honest account of where we are with the restoration. We’re starting with the bathroom, which is the one space we’ve actually finished, and working our way through the rest of the house in real time. No staged reveals, no waiting until it’s perfect. You’re getting it as it happens.

I’m also putting together a proper guide to Thornton-le-Dale — the walks, the places to eat, the things the locals know that don’t make it onto any tourist website. If you’ve ever thought about making a move like this, I want that guide to be the thing that helps you imagine it for yourself.

And the AuDHD and menopause content isn’t going anywhere. In fact, I’ve got a post coming that I’ve been wanting to write for months about what executive dysfunction actually looks like when you’re also trying to manage a renovation, a family, and a rebrand simultaneously. Spoiler: it looks exactly as chaotic as you’d imagine.

The best way to keep up is to follow along on Instagram at @how_felicity_finds, or subscribe below to get new posts straight to your inbox. No spam, no schedules — just a new post when it’s ready.

This is a new chapter. The walls are old, the floors are (mostly) original, and I am very much a work in progress — but that’s rather the point.

I’m glad you’re here. I hope you stay.

Fay x

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Whether you’re after a gentle stroll (like me) or a longer countryside adventure (like my boys), here are five of my best walks around Thornton-le-Dale.

1. Thornton-le-Dale Circular Walk (Classic Countryside Loop)

Distance: ~5 miles
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Highlights: Thornton Beck, Ellerburn, St Hilda’s Church

If you only do one walk, make it this one, we do it a lot with Daisy (our Dachshund). This circular route takes you out of the village along the Thornton Beck before heading towards the tiny hamlet of Ellerburn.

Along the way, you’ll pass St Hilda’s Church, which dates back to around 1050 and even features a Viking-era cross — a real hidden gem.

View the full route and map

Why it’s great:
This walk captures everything that makes the area special — water, woodland, history and open countryside.

2. Thornton-le-Dale to Dalby Forest Walk

Distance: 7–9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Forest trails, wildlife, valley views

A slightly longer circular walk that heads north out of the village and into Dalby Forest — 8,000 acres of woodland.

This moves from open countryside into shaded forest tracks, with gentle climbs and fantastic views along the way.

See detailed route info (7-mile version)

Why it’s great:
It’s ideal if you want a mix of scenery — peaceful woodland, birdsong, and stunning views back across Ryedale.

3. Thornton-le-Dale Village & Nature Reserve Walk

Distance: ~3 km
Difficulty: Easy (family-friendly)
Highlights: Village green, nature reserve, thatched cottages

If you are short on time, then this gentle loop is perfect. Starting near the village car park, the route takes you through a small nature reserve before looping around the village itself.

The village is full of picturesque bridges, flower-filled gardens, and some of the most photographed cottages in Yorkshire.

Follow a simple route guide here

Why it’s great:
It’s accessible, relaxing, and perfect for families.

4. Thornton-le-Dale to Low Dalby & Back (Ramblers Route)

Distance: ~9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Woodland tracks, valley views, Dalby Beck

This longer circular route is a favourite with local walkers here in the village. It follows Thornton Beck out of the village, climbs gently into woodland, and eventually reaches Low Dalby before looping back.

This walk is a mix of forest tracks, quiet lanes and open views — with a couple of steady climbs along the way.

Find more details via the Ramblers group

Why it’s great:
A proper “day out” walk with varied terrain and just enough challenge to feel rewarding. Perfect to come back into the vllage and enjoy a quick pint at one of the village pubs! Or a warming coffee at one of our fab cafes & deli’s.

5. Thornton-le-Dale & Dalby Forest Extended Walk

Distance: ~12 miles
Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging
Highlights: Deep forest, long-distance views, full-day hike

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, this extended walk combines the village, Dalby Forest, and the surrounding moorland into a longer loop.

You’ll walk (gradual climb) into the forest, explore deeper trails, and enjoy the stunning views across the North York Moors.

Access route details here

Why it’s great:
This is a great walk for experienced walkers who want to really throw themselves into the beauty of the North Yorkshire Moors.

Getting There & Practical Tips

By car:
Thornton-le-Dale is just off the A170, around 5 minutes from Pickering.

By public transport:
The Coastliner bus 840 (York → Pickering → Scarborough) stops right in the village, making it easy to start walks without a car.

Parking:

• Village car park (Maltongate)
• On-street parking (check restrictions)

Top tips:

• Wear appropriate footwear — some paths can get muddy and change pretty quick.
• There are plenty of pubs and cafes and all are dog-friendly.
  • Cafe Bouchere
  • Moores Delicatessen
  • The New Inn
  • The Buck
  • Balderson’s Cafe/Tea Room
• Stop for ice cream or lunch in the village — you’ve earned it!

Final Thoughts

What makes walking around Thornton-le-Dale so special is the diversity. Within just a few miles, you can go from babbling streams and historic villages to dense forest and sweeping moorland views. It honestly is a wonderful place to explore.

Whether you’re planning a quick wander or a full day hike, it’s one of those places that quietly surprises you — and keeps you coming back.

Fay x

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The post 5 Walks Around Thornton-le-Dale that Actually Calm an Overwhelmed Brain appeared first on How Felicity Finds.

When we bought Hall Farm, we knew we were buying more than just a new house. We were buying a piece of Thornton-Le-Dale history. Consequently, as part of our renovation/planning application to North York Moors, we had to commission a heritage statement. It’s been fascinating to read and learn more about our new home.

In the heart of the village, set back from the main road, lies Hall Farm — a structure with a rich past and a promising future. Originally established in the late 18th century, Hall Farm was constructed as a working farmhouse. Moreover, it was designed to support generations of tenant and owner-occupier farmers in this quiet corner of Yorkshire. There are still signs of its original use, which we can’t wait to restore. Over time, the building has witnessed the rhythms of the land, now in another winter marked by hearth-fires and strong Yorkshire winds. I’d love to know what stories lie beneath the decades of paint and plaster…

Through the Victorian era, the farm adapted: improvements were made, outbuildings added. The farmhouse itself saw modest extensions to accommodate growing farm households. In the 20th century, agricultural practices changed, and small farms struggled to remain viable. Hall Farm changed hands and ceased to function as a full-scale working farm. While the structure remained, many original features were altered or lost. Over the past decade, the home has gradually fallen from its former glory.

Hall Farm Renovation, Thornton-Le-Dale

We are excited to be part of a new chapter for Hall Farm: the property is undergoing careful renovation and conversion back into a family home, with a deep respect for its heritage. We aim to restore original features where possible — exposed stone walls, timber beams, historic windows. While sensitively introducing modern comforts: heating, insulation, and family-friendly layouts. We are committed to honouring the building’s past as a working farm while bringing it back to life as a place of warmth, domesticity and family-centred living.

As we progress, we hope Hall Farm will again echo with laughter, footsteps on old floorboards, and the smells of home-cooking. A true restoration of its former glory, blending history and home in one beautiful place. Stay tuned for updates as this restoration journey unfolds.

Fay x

The post Restoring Hall Farm: From Historic Farmhouse to Family Home appeared first on How Felicity Finds.

Thornton-le-Dale (also known as Thornton Dale) is a picture-postcard village on the edge of the North York Moors, about three miles east of Pickering; it’s known for its thatched cottages, small beck and busy tourist trade, especially in summer. If you’re weighing up moving to Thornton-Le-Dale for family life, this guide walks you through the practical decisions, local services, schooling and integration tips so you can make an informed move.

Is Thornton-Le-Dale the right fit? Decision framework

Moving rurally is about trade-offs. Use this simple decision matrix: list what you must have (schools, job commute limit, broadband), would like (community groups, play spaces) and dealbreakers (long hospital journeys, no public transport).

Questions to answer

• What’s your commute tolerance? (time & flexibility)
• Can you work remotely if transport isn’t ideal?
• Do you want a strong village community vs more anonymity?

Housing types, market and typical considerations

Thornton-le-Dale offers cottages, period houses and small modern builds. Many properties are older with character, which means attractive features but also maintenance obligations — especially if a property is listed (see the restoration guide for detailed planning). When house-hunting, factor in: roof condition, damp, insulation, and whether windows or fittings are original (replacement may need consent).

Actionable checklist for viewings

• Ask for recent drainage & damp reports.
• Check for evidence of thatch/roof repairs.
• Find the property’s listing status via the local council or Historic England.

Schools and childcare

Families often prioritise local schools. Thornton Dale is served by Thornton Dale Church of England Primary School, a small village primary with local catchment arrangements. Ofsted rated as Good/Outstanding in 2025 — phone the school for admissions and up-to-date guidance. thorntondaleprimaryschool.org

Secondary schools: older children typically travel to nearby towns (for example Pickering) for secondary education—check transport and catchment zones early in your planning.

Specialist schools: Wellburn Hall in Kirbymoorside is the Local Authority maintained school. Ofsted rated as Good in 2022 – phone the school for admissions and up-to-date guidance. https://www.welburn-hall.n-yorks.sch.uk

Tip: Visit the school during term time to get a feel for daily life

Amenities, community life and outdoor access

Thornton-le-Dale punches above its weight for a village: cafés, pubs, a market green, tearooms, antique shops, a gift shop, a book/craft store and a motor museum. Plus, easy access to Dalby Forest and stunning walking routes — great for families who love the outdoors. The village is popular with visitors, especially in summer, which can make life a little busier, but it’s also part of it’s charm.

How to test community fit

• Visit at different times of the week and visit cafes and shops.
• Look for local Facebook groups or the village noticeboard.
• Check the parish council noticeboard/village shop for events and volunteer opportunities.

Transport and commuting

Thornton-le-Dale is rural: many families rely on cars. For commuting, check drive times at the hour you would travel (peak vs off-peak). Public buses and seasonal services operate in the area, but schedules can be limited — factor this into daily routines.

Packing tip: Keep your pantry stocked with essentials and an emergency kit (medicines, medical supplies, torch, snow shovel etc.) during the first winter in a rural property.

Healthcare and services

Primary healthcare is generally delivered in nearby towns. Ask the GP surgery & dentist about registering new patients and where the nearest urgent care or A&E services are. There is a pharmacy and post office in the village. The local sorting office is in Pickering.

Broadband and connectivity

Reliable broadband is a make-or-break factor for remote working and schooling. Check the property’s broadband speed with the provider before exchange and, if needed, budget for upgrades or alternative solutions (e.g. 4G/5G routers).

Practical moving logistics

• Removal firm: choose one with rural experience (narrow lanes, limited parking).
• Access & parking: check whether the property has off-street parking or a car park nearby.
• Deliveries: note that large deliveries may need local access arrangements.

Settling your children into rural life

• Enrol in local clubs (rugby, Scouts, Brownies) — small villages often have vibrant volunteer groups.
• For younger children, arrange play dates early — meeting one family is enough to open doors.
• Keep weekend routines flexible for outdoor exploration — woods, becks and nearby attractions become your local playground.

Practical money checklist

• Factor in higher heating costs for older homes.
• Get quotes for insurance that covers rural issues (subsidence, thatch).
• Check council tax band and waste collection arrangements.

A short 90-day settling plan

First 30 days: Register with a GP and register children at school (if needed); introduce yourselves to immediate neighbours. Sort broadband and set up utilities.
30–60 days: Join a village group or community class.
60–90 days: Explore local walking routes, maybe volunteer.

Final words and resources

Thornton-le-Dale is a lovely place for families who value community, access to nature and character homes — but it’s rural, so plan for travel, services and maintenance. Visit in different seasons if you can: winter feels different to summer. For latest village events and amenities, the parish and North York Moors sites are excellent starting points.

We had passed through Thornton-Le-Dale so many times on our way to Dalby Forest with our youngest and always loved the feel of the village. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming, and we fell in love with our house hte minute we saw it. We can’t wait to restore it to it’s former glory, with lots of TLC.

Fay x

The post Moving to Thornton-Le-Dale: The Complete Relocation & Living Guide appeared first on How Felicity Finds.