Holiday Advise: Oxford/Dales/York/Liverpool

Good day. We are planning 7-10 days this summer driving through the Dales country, but beginning in Oxford (we are arriving in Southampton) and then driving north through the Dales, etc. areas of the U.K. we have not previously visited. We have Harrogate on the list and want a nostalgia stop in Askrigg. Pleased to have recommendations on 4 or 5 star lodgings/country manors as well as places to see. We plan 2 nights in York as well (would like to have private tour guide for half day). All suggestions welcomed and thanks very much indeed. We had a helpful suggestion of a loop from Harrowgate to Leyburn to Hawes Ingleton to Skipton from a fellow F-Chatter. Keith