We love holidaying in a cottage for the freedom it brings. The kids get their own bedrooms and privacy and we have a nice living room to all be together in. It was particularly good for when the children were small so we could get them to sleep but still have time to relax afterwards (rather than sitting in a hotel room with the lights and TV off!).
There are some fabulous cottages from Classic Cottages in Yorkshire, with locations such as Malton, Thirsk, Settle and the Yorkshire Dales. Classic Cottages are well respected and have been awarded Which? Recommended Provider for the last three years – 2023, 2022 and 2021
They are all great places with lots to see and do in the area. The cottages near Thirsk are perfectly situated to visit Thirsk, Easingwold or York. The Stables sleeps up to ten people plus two cots and they have a hot tub in the garden! In Thirsk, for All Creatures Great and Small fans I would recommend spending some time at The James Herriot Museum, have a wander around the market, followed by a nice pub lunch or, for the more adventurous, a hike up to see The White Horse at Kilburn.
Malton is a lovely place to visit and boasts that it is Yorkshire’s Food Capital. There are two lovely cottages here, like The Workshop that is perfect for smaller families as it sleeps four and a cot. A little further afield, and a cute idea for when it is just the two of you would be Sammi’s Freight Train, a rural getaway in the Dales with its own wood fired hot tub and an incredible view!
York is very close and you could spend lots of time here. I would recommend driving to the Park and Ride and getting the bus into York from here as parking is at a premium in York. The Park and Ride is cheap and reliable and will save you lots of hassle! Plus there is a big Tesco nearby where you can stock up with provisions to take back to your cottage for a cosy night in.
While you are in York, you must visit York Minster, it is a truly impressive piece of gothic architecture, and most streets in York lead to it.
Another ‘must see’ spot is York Shambles. It’s a tiny Medieval cobbled street with lots of cute and quirky shops. There are several magic and Harry Potter themed shops here where you can buy new wands and drink butterbeer!
Talking of taking your provisions back to your cottage. Must buy foods in York include the ‘Yorkie Wrap’ – a roast dinner wrapped neatly into a Yorkshire Pudding, and a ‘Yorkshire Fat Rascal’, a large scone-like cake that can be bought from the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms. Whatever you end up doing, have a fabulous holiday!