The Dovecote Hampsthwaite

The Dovecote is on the Birstwith Hall Estate, between Hampsthwaite and Birstwith. It's a converted barn. You get access to about four acres of gardens. It's peaceful but not remote.

It sleeps four. Two bedrooms upstairs, one twin and one double. Two bathrooms, one on each floor. That's handy. It's a 4 Star place. It's comfortable and well finished, not just basic.

The main room downstairs is all open plan: kitchen, dining, sitting area. The kitchen has what you need. The sofa is big. There's a TV. Mullioned windows look out into the gardens.

The gardens are a proper feature. There's an orchard, a stream, formal bits. There's a Victorian greenhouse you can look in. You can sit outside under cover if it rains.

The local pub and a shop are about a mile away in Hampsthwaite. Harrogate is ten minutes by car.

For walking, you're right in Lower Nidderdale. You can get straight onto paths. Fountains Abbey is about twenty minutes away. So is Brimham Rocks. The RHS garden at Harlow Carr is on the edge of Harrogate.

Ripley Castle is very close. York is about forty minutes if you fancied a day trip.

Facilities: it has a washing machine, dishwasher, parking. Bedding and towels are included. There's a BBQ. You can bring up to two dogs. They ask you to keep them off the furniture. There's storage for bikes if you bring them.

Useful links: Yorkshire Dales National Park and English Heritage.