IN the past 12 months our researches have taken us to many parts of North Yorkshire which form part of the Evening Press's distribution area. To the north, there is Sutton Bank Restaurant, where there is adequate parking. A level walk to the gliding club provides spectacular views over the plain of York. Returning to the visitor centre we found well-presented food at reasonable prices in the modern caf.

Since our 'official' survey of this venue we have returned twice with visitors to our country.

Hemingbrough is about 20 miles to the south of the city. The R&R Country Tearooms was a lovely find. We have made three visits there, the most recent being three weeks ago for a Christmas lunch with friends.

Although we enjoyed that meal, visiting when the place is less busy has the advantage of allowing you to sample some of the many menu items that would be specially prepared.

The bonus associated with this venue is the array of china that may fill a gap should you have suffered a breakage in some of the best known patterns.

The road from Pickering to Scarborough yielded the Wordsworth Gallery in Brompton. You don't want to be in a hurry if you call in here. Not that the service is slow, but you must do justice to the adjacent country clothes and gift shop as well as the associated gallery.

And finally to the west where we stumbled across the Lavender Tearoom in Knaresborough. Located above Britain's oldest chemist shop (now only selling proprietary remedies) we were charmed by the atmosphere. The selection of light bites offered us something different, a feature of our snacking which becomes harder with each visit.

This year, we look forward to discovering some more snacking gems around the country as well as revisiting some old favourites, but are always pleased to receive your suggestions.