Fernlea - Leyburn

This idyllic stone cottage tucked away in the sleepy rural village of Spennithorne is a truly cosy and quaint home from home which welcomes six guests, perfect for families and groups of friends looking to explore everything Wensleydale and the surrounding North Yorkshire countryside has to offer.

Carefully considered with comfort and relaxation in mind, this sympathetically renovated cottage offers the very best of contemporary countryside living, a stone’s throw from the delightful market town of Leyburn. The foodies and culture vultures amongst your party will love Leyburn, offering a range of traditional local pubs, cafes and shops gathered around a handsome town square.

Beneath the gorgeous stone exterior of this traditional Yorkshire cottage, the peaceful ambience of the open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner beckons you to spend quality time with your loved ones. Retaining much of its character from its original features including a stone chimney, exposed stone and ceiling beams, combined with extra special contemporary decor, you’ll instantly feel at home in this social space.

Get creative in the contemporary farmhouse-style kitchen with the delicious local produce you’ve collected from the nearby local shops. The kitchen is equipped with everything you need to unleash your inner culinary genius to keep the crowd seated around the rustic dining table satisfied.

As the evening draws in, fire up the roaring wood burner in the lounge area to keep toes toasty as you curl up on the comfy sofas and share stories of the day’s adventures with the soft crackles of the wood burner in the background. Dig into some popcorn or some tasty leftovers before starting up the Smart TV to enjoy the ultimate family film night.

Upstairs, you will find three wonderfully furnished bedrooms, each dressed for the occasion in a soft neutral colour palette and plenty of natural tones that reflect the stunning unspoilt scenery that surrounds you. You have two king-size bedrooms and a double bedroom with stunning exposed iron beams to choose between for a peaceful rest before tomorrow’s adventure. If you’re not quite ready for bed yet, indulge in a peaceful bubbly soak in the bath in the family bathroom and feel the stress release from your shoulders.

Outside, children and playful pups will adore exploring the lawn in the front cottage garden, bordered by some wonderful mature trees and pretty plants that are both a treat for the eyes and nose in summer. At the rear of the cottage, you also have a small courtyard with seating, perfect for making the most of a fine evening by dining alfresco and catching some stunning melting sunsets.

• 3 bedrooms - 2 king-size, 1 double
• 1 bathroom with separate shower and WC, 1 WC
• Electric oven/grill, induction hob, microwave, fridge/freezer and Lavazza coffee machine
• Utility room with washer/dryer
• Air source heating
• Wood burner (first basket of logs provided)
• Smart TV in lounge
• Garden to the front of the property and small courtyard to the rear with seating
• Outside tap to front, ideal for cleaning boots and mucky dogs
• Off-road parking for 2 cars and parking in the village subject to availability
• Pub within 1 mile, shop 1.9 miles
• Please note. No dogs upstairs please
• Electric vehicle charging on site
• 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
• There is an Accidental Damage Deposit of £250 when booking at this property, however this may be waived for £30. We’ll provide more details about this when booking your holiday.

Richmond is a charming market town on the borders of Wensleydale and Swaledale. It boasts an 11th-century castle, fine Georgian architecture, a historic Georgian theatre and a large cobbled market square as some of its many attractions. Stroll into town for a cup of Yorkshire tea at one of the many tearooms or pop over for dinner at one of the excellent restaurants.

The gorgeous River Swale runs through the town and, across the river are the River Swale Waterfalls (6.5 miles). You can walk in either direction along the river and deep into the countryside without having to go anywhere near the car. We also recommend exploring the restored former Richmond Railway Station, 11 miles away, which has lots to keep everyone entertained including a small cinema, cafe/restaurant, gallery, microbrewery and artisan bakery.

Richmond is also known as 'The Gateway to the Dales' so expect stunning Dales scenery within minutes of leaving the town. Peppering this glorious countryside are countless attractive little towns and villages and, if you enjoy a bit of surreal entertainment, how about a visit to the quite brilliant Forbidden Corner, an attraction full of statues and hidden surprises, 5.5 miles away near Middleham.

The historic village of Easby, home to Easby Abbey, is just 12.5 miles away. Set on the banks of the River Swale, the abbey is the perfect spot for a picnic in the summer months. There are lots of other breathtaking historic sites to explore in the Dales, including the stunning Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, 21.5 miles away, a World Heritage Site.

This is a superb area for walkers and cyclists with many routes from the doorstep, including Alfred Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast Walk which passes close by.