North Yorkshire cottages

Self-catering holiday cottages in North Yorkshire

As the largest county in England, North Yorkshire has so much to see and do on a holiday – and where better to enjoy it all than from the comfort of a self-catering holiday cottage? North Yorkshire stretches from the Yorkshire Dales National Park, across the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and to the North York Moors National Park and the Howardian Hills AONB, making it a superb destination for nature lovers who wish to experience the natural splendour of ‘God’s own country’.

North Yorkshire also extends to the rugged coastline where popular seaside towns such as Scarborough, Whitby and Filey are great destinations for a traditional family-friendly bucket-and-spade beach break while fishing villages like Robin Hoods Bay and Staithes come with dog-friendly beaches, spectacular cliff views and an array of cosy cottages. Cosmopolitan North Yorkshire towns and cities including Harrogate, Ripon, Helmsley, Masham, Bedale and Richmond are the perfect destinations for a romantic couples’ break. Explore nearby National Trust sites and stately homes such as Castle Howard and Fountains Abbey, indulge in a spot of retail therapy at stylish independent shops then sample some of the Yorkshire’s rich food and drink culture by browsing the stalls at a farmer’s market or sitting down to a top-notch meal at a Michelin star restaurant.

North Yorkshire has also been the setting for TV, film and classic works of literature over the years; novels such as The Secret Garden and Wuthering Heights were set in the majestic landscapes of North Yorkshire, the gothic remains of Whitby Abbey provided inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Goathland Station was transformed into Hogsmeade for the Harry Potter film series. More recently Harewood House featured in the Downton Abbey movie and the pretty Yorkshire Dales village of Grassington became Darrowby for the latest incarnation of All Creatures Great and Small.

There are no shortage of Yorkshire walks to try either; the Cleveland Way National Trail takes in 109 miles of heather-clad moorland and dramatic coastline between Helmsley and Filey and there are also more than 2500 kilometres of right of way footpaths within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Along the way you’ll find the glorious landscape is peppered with market towns, pretty villages and some of Yorkshire’s finest pubs where you can settle yourself in front or a roaring fire and enjoy some well-earned refreshments. Lots of these pubs will happily welcome four-legged friends and after walking through the North Yorkshire countryside, you’ll also find lots of dog-friendly cottages to rest and relax in.

If you have been inspired to visit the region whether for a romantic getaway or a family break, browse our handpicked self-catering North Yorkshire cottages and start planning your next holiday.