Earl Grey

This country cottage makes an exquisite romantic retreat complete with a hot tub, set within the grounds of a beautiful and historic estate in Wensleydale. This gorgeous Grade II listed building has been transformed into a luxury bijou country retreat straight from the pages of a Jane Austen novel.

This property has an incredibly romantic history. It's said that the former Earl of the estate had four Palladian-style model farms built at all four points of the compass from his castle, so that his Italian wife would feel at home. This cottage forms part of one of these stunning Georgian farms and affords its own wonderful views of the castle, estate and Wensleydale beyond.

The superb renovation of this luxury cottage has taken great care to retain the elegant character of the building as well as introducing green technology. A biomass boiler and solar panels on a building nearby combine to provide clean heat and hot water to this listed building. The renovation has also made fantastic use of the space. Downstairs you'll find a cosy living area complete with a compact kitchen and breakfast bar dining area. The beautiful kitchen boasts warming colours and traditional farmhouse furniture. The cute breakfast bar is perfectly proportioned for two. Pull up a stool and enjoy some freshly laid eggs from the resident hens for breakfast.

ownstairs is you'll also find a luxurious wet room designed for two. Floor-to-ceiling tiling, underfloor heating and a monsoon shower head all combine to create a sense of indulgence and comfort.

Make your way up the stairs to the dreamy bedroom. Take in the specular views of the nearby castle through the round window and, from the Juliet balcony, a view of the formal parterre gardens in the grounds. Throw open the curtains each morning and breathe in these romantic Yorkshire vistas.

The bedroom has a double bed and there's another TV up here if you want to kick back and enjoy a movie from the comfort of your bed. With Wi-Fi included, you can stream movies direct to your TV to enjoy.

Set within the grounds of a larger estate, this property has much to enjoy outside as well as in - not least the indulgent wood-fired hot tub. Take in a walled garden boasting mature trees and elegant Georgian architecture. Grab a blanket and strike out to find your favourite picnic spot. For those long lazy lunches over a bottle or two, there's a sheltered private dining area complete with top quality outdoor furniture. Uninterrupted views in all directions, sunsets and romantic evening lighting combine to create something really quite magical in this little corner of Yorkshire.

Please note: This cottage is styled as a luxury hotel room with a kitchen/breakfast bar area and no lounge. Think of it like a boutique hotel room but with a lot more space and a much smaller price tag!

Information on the hot tub: The owner will provide complimentary wood to heat the hot tub for your first session. Thereafter, if you wish to use the hot tub again, there will be a £10.00 charge for each subsequent session, to cover the cost of the wood used. You can also take advantage of the option 'Drop and Dip' service (£39.50), where the owner will have the hot tub nice and warm on your arrival.

• 1 double bedroom
• 1 luxurious wet room with WC
• Fluffy Egyptian cotton towels and toiletries included
• Oven, hob, microwave, fridge
• Set within private grounds
• Patio area with outside seating area
• Wood-fired hot tub
• Please note there is no lounge - the accommodation has been styled as a luxury boutique hotel room
• Wi-Fi included & Smart TV in bedroom
• Off-road parking
• Pub within 1 mile
• Public footpaths from the doorstep
• With regret, unsuitable for children
• Hot-Tub: There is a charge of £12 per day (when used) to cover the cost of the wood used and is paid directly to the owner upon arrival. You can also take advantage of the option 'Drop and Dip' service (£45), where the owner will have the hot tub nice and warm on your arrival with a bottle of Prosecco chilling in the fridge
   
• Arrival: 16:00 onwards
• Departure: before 10:00, unless otherwise stated in your arrival details
• Sorry, no dogs allowed
• There is an Accidental Damage Deposit of £150 when booking at this property, however this may be waived for £20. We’ll provide more details about this when booking your holiday.

This quaint property is set within a larger estate in a pretty village in Wensleydale. The local area is full of old stone cottages typical of the Yorkshire Dales, a babbling beck with wild trout and a traditional village pub.

Beyond the village the attractive town of Bedale (5 miles) is worth a visit. Stop for a coffee before making your way around the town's antique shops. In the opposite direction you'll find the charming market town of Leyburn (9 miles), an archetypical slice of Dales country life. You'll find traditional shops, pubs and cafes all gathered around the handsome town square which hosts a busy market every Friday. Leyburn is also home to the biggest auction centre outside of London if you fancy picking up a bargain. The nearby historic town of Richmond (10 miles) is similar in many ways and is sat in a lovely location along the River Swale.

There are lots of other pretty villages and stunning natural sights all within close range of this luxury holiday home. Aysgarth Falls and Bolton Castle are both within 16 miles and the gorgeous villages of West Burton and Askrigg are a 21 miles drive, so lots of choice for things to do if you want to get out and about. If rambling is your thing, the Yorkshire Dales are something of a walker's paradise with many beautiful routes from your doorstep. There are plenty of options for cycling too in Tour De France country. When you need to refuel, stop at one of the areas many excellent gastropubs.