Honey-coloured cottages enjoy views across the River Derwent to ancient castle ruins in East Ayton, just off the main road from Pickering to Scarborough. It’s a romantic setting for this holiday hideaway, on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park and with beautiful sandy beaches an easy drive from the doorstep. The village itself has pubs, shops and gentle walks to enjoy, but the coastal gems of Scarborough (5 miles) and Filey (10 miles) are must-do destinations, each having golden beaches and a traditional charm that’s drawn day-trippers for centuries. The vibrant market town of Pickering, 13 miles away, offers a huge range of activities for visitors of all ages. Alternatively, discover the natural delights of Dalby Forest, home to 8,000 wildlife-rich acres criss-crossed by walking, running and cycling trails.
A pretty cottage garden welcomes guests; step through the porch into a hallway and then on to a cream-and-white kitchen/dining room with plenty of cabinet space and a country-style drop-leaf table with chairs. A washer/dryer and additional freezer space are to be found in the outbuildings close by, but everything you need for fuss-free mealtimes is in the kitchen, alongside a utility cupboard and another with boot storage, hooks and shelves so you can stow outside gear out of sight. The exposed ceiling beams continue into the adjoining lounge, where sash windows and a deep window seat affirm that this is a home with heritage credentials. A striking fireplace houses a gas fire to supplement the central heating if required, while the wood flooring, two-seater sofa and armchair all set the scene for quiet time with the TV, a book or board game for entertainment. See if you can spot the carved mouse typical of renowned local furniture-maker Robert Thompson that’s somewhere in this room (there are others around the house) but don’t get caught out by the grandfather clock – it’s not in regular service! Stairs from the entrance hallway lead to two first floor bedrooms. The first, tastefully decorated and dressed to impress with a feature fireplace, original beams, old-fashioned washstand and rocking chair won’t fail to soothe, its king-size bed promising to lull you into sleep perhaps even before you’ve turned on the TV. There’s another TV in the second bedroom which has a decorative single day bed and free-standing wardrobe, and both rooms share use of a light, white fully-tiled bathroom with shower over the bath and heated towel rail.
Expertly planted in cottage style, the garden here is a gorgeous combination of lawn, flower borders and fruit trees, with gravel pathways, stone walls and glorious views of the surrounding countryside all adding to its charm. Sit back and listen to the birds and bees, enjoy afternoon tea at the outdoor table or escape with a book to the secluded summerhouse… this is a place in which you can get away from it all without going very far!