Cute as a button, this charming retreat in the heart of Bronte Country is the perfect place to get away from it all, unwind and recharge. With a warming wood burner for winter evenings and a patio with spectacular views, it’s a wonderful destination for solo travellers or a couple at any time of the year – and you can bring your canine companions too.
The stone cottage, built in the 17th century, is full of character and boasts plenty of original features, including exposed beams, a large fireplace and a cottage-style staircase. Enter the open-plan living space, which will soon become a snug home-from-home, where the wood burner will easily persuade you to pass the time by the roaring flames, with a good book or something interesting on the Freeview TV. Rustle up simple yet delicious meals in the compact kitchen area, cleverly designed to house everything you’ll need, and enjoy them at the sweet dining table for two, which is one step down from the kitchen.
On the first floor, the double bedroom is a delightful sanctuary, ideal for a comfortable night’s sleep, while the adjacent bathroom continues the theme of period charm combined with modern features.
A pair of wooden garden chairs on the small patio at the front of the cottage offers the opportunity to enjoy a morning beverage, a snack or an al fresco aperitif as you relish the enchanting vistas of the surrounding countryside.
Set on the edge of the village of Oxenhope, the cottage is within metres of two lovely country pubs that also serve food. From Oxenhope, you can take a nostalgic ride on a steam train, boarding the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway for a gentle chug to Haworth, the former home of the Bronte sisters, and Keighley, a pretty town with an industrial heritage. The spectacular scenery of Bronte Country is all around, and you’ll want to get out and about on foot, by bike or perhaps even on horseback.
Discover the sights, shops and eateries of nearby towns, including Hebden Bridge, 6.5 miles, Sowerby Bridge, 9.5 miles, and Halifax, 9 miles.
Well worth a visit, Halifax was once the centre of the wool trade in Victorian England, which blessed the town with wealth and good fortune. Many of the opulent buildings and monuments from this time can still be seen as you walk around the town, including Piece Hall, a magnificent Georgian building which was once the place where weavers sold their cloth. Nowadays, it’s a fabulous place to grab a tasty bite to eat or peruse the independent shops and boutiques, as well as catch some outdoor performances.
Other impressive buildings include Halifax Minster, the town’s Gothic church; the Grade II-listed Halifax Town Hall, created by the same man who designed the Houses of Parliament; and Shibden Hall, a 15th-century historic home surrounded by a glorious park, once home to the ‘first modern lesbian’, Anne Lister, who wrote her secret diaries there. The parkland is an excellent place to spend a day, where you can walk beside the pretty flowerbeds, row across the Mere or ride on the miniature train which will delight any children in your party. Kids will also love Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, which is sure to capture their imaginations with its 400 interactive exhibits.
If you enjoy food, make sure to visit Halifax’s Borough Market, which is a stunning Grade II-listed building hosting an award-winning covered market throughout the week. Sample some local produce and pick up a tasty treat to enjoy back at your luxury holiday cottage.
There is enough to do in Halifax itself to fill a whole holiday. However, if you want to venture slightly further afield, Huddersfield and Bradford are 16.5 miles and 10 miles from the cottage respectively, or you could set out to explore the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, 15 miles away.