Sleightholmedale Cottages

Set around a stone courtyard, these cottages provide comfortable accommodation in peaceful surroundings, available from the end of March to the beginning of November.

Located in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, the cottages are close to Sleightholmedale Lodge, in a steep wooded valley and a private estate.

The lodge was built in 1889 by Lord Feversham for his youngest daughter - today it is at the head of a working farm, owned and run by her descendants.

The large hillside garden has been looked after by the same family since 1904 and has been widely written about.

The adjoining farm supports a beef breeding herd and 80 acres of the farm's land is a designated 'Site of Special Scientific Interest'.

The old farm buildings at Sleightholmedale have been given a new lease of life as holiday homes, pleasantly furnished throughout.

Most cottages have one twin bedded room and one double bedded room - with folding beds available [recommended only for occasional nights or for children] so that up to 6 people can be accommodated.

The exception is The Archway which has three double bedded rooms [plus folding beds], living room, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, plus second toilet and washbasin.

The Archway's rooms are all at first floor level and it has particularly good views over the surrounding countryside.

The Barn has a spacious living room leading onto a courtyard patio. Next to the living room is the kitchen, with the two bedrooms and bathroom above, on the first floor.

The Stable has a split-level ground floor, with a small flight of steps leading down from the kitchen/dining area to the living room, which opens out onto an orchard patio.

The Stable has one bedroom on the lower level, with the second bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor.

The Granary features a living room with a balcony overlooking the courtyard. The kitchen is also on the first floor, with the entrance hall on a half-level and stairs leading to two bedrooms and a bathroom below.

The Dairy has a living room with a balustrade overlooking the dining area. The bedrooms and bathroom are on the ground floor, as is the kitchen/dining room, which opens onto the cottage's patio.

The Dovecote has a ground floor living room and kitchen/dining area which opens onto the courtyard patio.

A staircase leads from the living room to the bathroom and the bedrooms, one of which has an interesting feature, from which the cottage gets its name ...

All properties are well-insulated, warm and comfortable. For additional heating bedrooms have electric heaters and the living rooms feature either an open fire or a gas fire.

Each cottage has a fully-fitted, well equipped kitchen and grocery shopping can be done for your arrival. The water supply is from the farm's own natural spring! Freezer space is available for storing food.

For eating out there are many options, including the Plough Inn at Fadmoor and the Star Inn at Harome. Amenities and shops are in Kirkbymoorside and there is a notable local butcher and baker.

Sleightholmedale Cottages are located a short distance north-west of Kirkbymoorside.

Fadmoor is 1 mile away and detailed directions can be provided at time of booking if required.

Regular bus services pass through Kirkbymoorside [3 miles away] and Helmsley [8 miles away].

The nearest railway stations are Malton [12 miles], Thirsk [20 miles] and York [27 miles].

The 152 acres of land surrounding the cottages is also owned by Mrs Rosanna James and her family. The Hodge Beck flows off the moors in Bransdale and is safe for bathing in hot weather - even for [supervised] children!

Many beautiful walks start directly at the cottages, with the whole of the North Yorkshire Moors to explore beyond.

The grounds at Sleightholmedale are included in the 'Good Gardens Guide' and have been opened to the public as part of the National Gardens Scheme since 1947 - in those early days, entrance cost 6d and teas were 9d!

Bird watchers find the migrant Pied Flycatcher of special interest - the whole farm is an ornithological survey area, with numbered nesting boxes and an annual record kept of sightings.

Other activities which can be arranged include:

• Tennis - on site all-weather court
• Fishing - over 2 miles of trout fishing on stream below Sleightholmedale Lodge
• Golf - Kirkbymoorside 18-hole course, several others within easy reach
• Riding - many good centres nearby

Places of interest in the area include Rievaulx Abbey and Terrace, Stillingfleet Lodge Nursery, Castle Howard, Burton Agnes, Newby Hall, and Shandy Hall.

£290 to £490 per cottage per week, including VAT at 17.5%. Rates also include electricity, heating and lighting costs, bed linen and towels.
Dogs - by arrangement only - £15 each per week.

Beds have fitted sheets and duvets [all linen supplied except towels and cot bedding].
Laundry on site with coin-operated washing machine and tumble drier.
Pay phone on site.
Children welcome - cots and high chairs available free of charge [subject to availability].