Hi Dave and Ellen. What a coincidence we are going to be in WDW for the Food and Wine at the beginning of November this year!
We moved to Yorkshire from Devon about 3 years ago and Yorkshire is one of the largest counties in the UK so it's split into North and South Yorkshire which is where we live. There is a lot of National Forestry land in Yorkshire so I would have no idea where your friends are staying. BUT please tell them to make the road trip up past Newcastle to Northumberland and if they like castles to visit they will be spoilt for choice. We were there only last weekend and spent time in Alwnick at the White Swan hotel which has the dining room from the Titanics sister ship Olympic....when the ship was being broken up the hotel bought the wood panelled walls, ceiling and stained glass windows and rebuilt it into their dining room. Alnwick castle (pronounced ANNIK) was also where they filmed the flying broom stick scenes for Harry Potter #1.
We also stayed on Holy Island (Lindisfarne) and the castle there is spectacular. There are lots of National Trust properties in Yorkshire and Northumberland and if your friends join the USA Royal Oak Foundation they are affiliated with our National Trust so can get in for free with their membership.
Anyway think I have prattled on long enough.....for now!!