Skell Gardens Cottage

This charming holiday home is perfectly placed for a cosmopolitan break in a magnificent market town at the gateway to the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (2.5 miles) in North Yorkshire. Sleeping four guests, it’s ideal for grown-ups and families with older children who love independent shops, artisan food and outdoor pursuits in a countryside setting with an interesting heritage. You’ll find a pub and shop within half a mile of the property, while Ripon’s cathedral, spa gardens, and cathedral museum, Thorpe Prebend House, are closer still. If you’re eager to walk the 53-mile Nidderdale Way, start and finish in the vibrant town of Pateley Bridge (12 miles); the route circles the Nidd Valley in the Yorkshire Dales National Park where you’ll enjoy breathtaking scenery at every turn. The spectacular North York Moors (22 miles) are also in reach for lofty moorland treks.

Head through the main gates towards your charming holiday retreat where you’re greeted with contemporary country-style interiors, furnished with gorgeous British-designed fabrics and linens for the most comfortable stay. Step inside and hang coats and bags in the boot room, which also houses a washing machine and tumble dryer so you’ll have less holiday packing to do. Next door is a convenient shower room, the place to refresh after a long muddy hike. Rustle up delicious feasts in the open-plan kitchen and dining area which is well-equipped with an electric oven and gas hob, fridge/freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. Gather around the farmhouse dining table and catch up on the day by the ornamental fireplace. Settle in for the evening by the warming wood burner in the living room where you can enjoy a selection of books, competitive board games and happy banter, or choose a favourite film to watch together on the Smart TV and DVD player. When slumber calls, climb the cottage-style stairs to the first floor where you’ll enjoy cathedral views from the cosy twin bedroom (can be adapted to super-king on request), and the double bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe; there’s also a family bathroom with a shower over the bath, and WC. Outside, a pretty pergola leads through to the cottage-style garden which sings with pretty shrubs, flowers and a birdhouse, all surrounding a gravel courtyard where parking is available for two cars. The heart of the garden is the wood-panelled summerhouse, the place to curl up with a good book in all weathers, or to simply enjoy a well-earned siesta after a long hike in the Dales; you can even store two bikes securely in the summerhouse at night. On lazy days, enjoy refreshments in the garden’s seating area where you can catch some sunny rays.

• 2 bedrooms – 1 double, 1 Super King  (Zip-and-link which can be made into a twin upon request at the time of booking)
• 2 bathrooms – 1 with bath, shower and WC, 1 shower room with WC
• Electric oven and gas hob, fridge/freezer, microwave and dishwasher.
• Boot room area with washing machine and separate dryer
• Lounge with Smart TV/DVD & Woodburner
• Games and books in the lounge
• Regret  no children under 12 years
• Private parking for 2 cars, access via a narrow gravel driveway
• Lovely cottage style garden with furniture and summerhouse
• Pubs, walks and shops 0.5 miles
• The staircase in this property is slightly steeper than usual and features a small landing - therefore maybe not suitable for those with limited mobility
• Please note, although the property features double glazing throughout, the cathedral bells chime through the night
• This property will be decorated for Christmas
• Arrival: 17:00 onwards
• Departure: before 10:00, unless otherwise stated in your arrival details
• Sorry, no dogs allowed
• There is an Accidental Damage Deposit of £200 when booking at this property, however this may be waived for £25. We’ll provide more details about this when booking your holiday.

Venture out and discover the cathedral city of Ripon, right on your doorstep. Enjoy morning walks along its three rivers, or the canal towpath before setting out for the day. Shop for delicious ingredients at the Thursday market, and take time out to relax in Ripon’s pubs, cafes, and restaurants. Browse clothing shops for a new outfit to wear to the races at Ripon Racecourse, known as ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’ (1 mile). Or travel through 1,350 years of history on a guided tour of Ripon Cathedral; the carved characters in the cathedral’s medieval choir stalls influenced the works of Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll, while poet Wilfred Owen was inspired by the city and cathedral to compose several works. The cathedral is smaller than York Minster (25 miles) though its architecture is awe-inspiring. At 9pm, you’ll hear the Ripon Hornblower who has been sounding a curfew and ‘setting the watch’ from the market square obelisk for more than 450 years. In this part of Yorkshire, you’ll never be short of heritage sites and ancient customs.

Discover Newby Hall (3.5 miles), North Conyers (6 miles) and Ripley Castle (8 miles). For a wonderful family day out, head to the National Trust Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden (4 miles), a World Heritage Site with ancient abbey ruins, an Elizabethan country house, and an ancient deer park. Potter around the pretty town of Bedale where you could find a rare gem in the town’s antiques shops. Or venture towards Middleham (18.5 miles) in Wensleydale and see 12th-century Middleham Castle, the childhood home of Richard III. Just outside Middleton, you’ll find The Forbidden Corner (21 miles) on Tupgill Park country estate, a unique adventure ground of labyrinths, tunnels, and follies to explore. For indulgent treats, the elegant spa town of Harrogate (11.5 miles) invites you to soak in the Victorian Turkish Baths, walk through Grade II-listed English Heritage Valley Gardens, browse shops and galleries, and treat yourself to the finest afternoon tea.