Cockayne Cottage

York, North Yorkshire

Air doesn’t get fresher than at this rustic farmhouse, nestled in a deep green dale of the North York Moors National Park. With sweeping views over the valley to the bleak moors beyond, and located in an historic, secluded hamlet, it’s a wonderful place to refresh, explore, and revitalise.

Rustic in style with old ledge and brace doors and low ceilings throughout, the cottage mixes traditional aesthetic with modern comforts. Entering via the rear lobby, you’ll find a handy boot room to the left and sitting room ahead. Exposed beams and a log burner set inside a large, stone-lintelled fireplace make this a cosy spot for reading. Next door, the contemporary kitchen leads into the dining room and upstairs are a modern bathroom and three bedrooms which all overlook the front garden and views of the valley.

The garden is large, grassy and fully enclosed, with furniture provided, making it a lovely spot to sit with your four-legged friend and admire views over the church and valley. There are outhouses that can be used for bike storage and parking for 2-4 cars.

The road to Cockayne Cottage is a quiet lane with no through access. The area is a haven for wildlife, and likewise, walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers. Many routes crisscross the dale, including the Cleveland Way trail that picks up the northern end of Cockayne Ridge. For those who prefer exploring on two wheels, the Bransdale Loop is highly recommended. Kirkbymoorside, a small market town, is 10 miles away providing, shops, cafés, an art gallery, and several pubs. Venture a little further afield to Scarborough or Whitby for dog-friendly beaches (outside summer restrictions), and fish and chip dinners. The picturesque market town of Helmsley is a short 12 mile drive away.

For a day away from the moors, Nunnington Hall is an easy 15-mile drive, where you can see the curious Carlisle collection of miniature rooms. Rievaulx Terrace offers a wooded walk above the Rye Valley with stunning views down over the Cistercian ruin of Rievaulx Abbey, 18 miles away. And finally, if the city is calling, then York itself is just over an hour’s drive from the cottage.