Barn Cottage - West Witton

Treat yourselves to a stay in this pretty stone barn, nestled in the picturesque Yorkshire village of West Witton. Ideal for keen walkers and cyclists wanting to explore the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, the delightful Wensleydale village is set just inside the eastern swathes of the national park, between Leyburn, 4 miles away, and Hawes, 13 miles away.

West Witton enjoys dramatic views of Penhill and its limestone scars. The village boasts two pubs as well as a well-stocked village shop and idyllic green. Visit the imposing ruins of Bolton Castle, 7 miles away, or head to Leyburn, with its wide range of amenities and weekly market.

Middleham, 5 miles from your retreat, with its Norman castle, famous racing stables and old market square surrounded by delightful shops, pubs and restaurants is also worth visiting, as are the picturesque Aysgarth Falls, 4.5 miles away. This cottage could be a superb base for a walking holiday, for enjoying the delights of Wensleydale or for touring the Dales.

Step into this quirky, reverse-design former barn, with its colourful interior, and find yourselves in the hallway, where you can leave your outerwear after your long walks. Make your way up the staircase to a light open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner, with a vaulted ceiling and wooden beams. Brew yourselves a cup of fresh coffee in the machine in the kitchen to enjoy with the traditional fat rascals you have bought from a Yorkshire bakery. Prepare delicious holiday feasts in here too and find you have a dishwasher to assist with clearing up afterwards.

Take your meal over to the dining table and discuss your day’s adventures. Relax in comfort as you watch TV or choose from the good selection of games and books. When it is time to retire for the night, find you have a beautiful super-king-size zip-and-link bedroom at ground-floor level. This can be arranged as twins on request. There is also a shower room on this floor. A double bedroom, with beamed, sloping ceilings, is on the first floor, where there is also a family bathroom.

Wander out into the courtyard on warm days to enjoy your coffee out in the fresh air. Parking for this property is on the road, subject to availability.

• 2 bedrooms - 1 super-king-size zip-and-link (which can be made into a twin on request) and 1 double
• 1 shower room with shower and WC, and 1 bathroom with shower over bath and WC
• Electric oven and hob, fridge, dishwasher and Nespresso coffee machine
• TV in the lounge
• Small courtyard with seating and charcoal BBQ
• Roadside parking subject to availability
• Pub and shop within walking distance
• Arrival: 16:00 onwards
• Departure: before 10:00, unless otherwise stated in your arrival details
• 2 dogs allowed. Dogs are charged at £20 each per full or part week

Head 4.5 miles to Aysgarth, home to the Aysgarth Falls, which were featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The village also boasts many great options for eating out, including popular pubs and cute cafes, and, if you visit in spring, you can’t leave without a visit to Freeholders Wood, where the bluebells, anemones and primroses will be in bloom.

Also in the area, are the charming settlements of Hawes, 13 miles away, West Burton, 4 miles away, and Askrigg, 9 miles from the cottage. Hawes is famous as being the home of Wensleydale cheese. It also boasts lovely shops, pubs and tearooms. The Pennine Way passes through the town, making it the perfect starting point for walkers eager to explore the countryside.

The stunning landscape of Wensleydale itself includes 25 miles of lush valleys, criss-crossed with the area’s iconic dry-stone walls. If you enjoy hiking and countryside views, you will not be short of things to do, with Wensleydale providing delightful moorland, dale-side and valley walks. Wensleydale is also sandwiched between Wharfedale and Swaledale, if you fancy exploring further afield.

History lovers will be fascinated by visits to Bolton Castle and Jervaulx Abbey, which are 7 and 9 miles from the property, respectively. Bolton Castle dates back to the 14th century and once held Mary, Queen of Scots prisoner. Jervaulx Abbey is the country’s largest privately-owned Cistercian Abbey and offers peace and tranquillity to its visitors.

Middleham, 5 miles away, is also famous for its castle, which was once home to Richard III. This town is also known for its racehorse training and you will see and hear the horses being led through the village up to the gallops every day. And to top it off, there is a great collection of pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops in the market town too.

Also visit Leyburn, 4 miles away, where traditional shops, pubs and cafes are gathered around a handsome town square. As well as a market every Friday, the town is also home to the biggest auction centre outside of London. The historic town of Richmond, 13 miles from the property, is another great place for a day out with its scenic setting along the River Swale.