Like other North Yorkshire constituencies such as Richmond, Vale of York and Skipton and Ripon, Ryedale is a huge, rural and picturesque seat which has usually, but not always, remained loyal to the Conservatives.
The size of the constituency cannot be overstated. Ryedale stretches out over a huge chunk of North Yorkshire, from the northern suburbs of York, past Malton and Pickering to reach the county's east coast, a distance of some 40 miles. The North York Moors National Park also falls within Ryedale's boundaries, and the seat boasts some of the most impressive and unspoilt scenery in the whole country.
Industries here are primarily agricultural and tourism orientated, as well as a thoroughbred racehorse training centre in Malton and the stately home of Castle Howard - the real star of the TV production of Brideshead Revisited.