Sykelands Cottage West Layton

Sykelands Cottage is in West Layton. It's a semi-detached barn conversion, next to our house. It's all on one level, which is good if you don't want stairs.

It sleeps two. One bedroom with a super king bed. The bathroom is ensuite and has a bath with a shower over it. The main room has a high ceiling with the old wooden beams still there. There's underfloor heating so it's always warm.

Outside, there's a private garden with a table and chairs. The view looks out over fields. We've got chickens and ducks that wander about, so they might come and say hello. You can park right outside.

The cottage has a five star rating. That means it's well finished. There's a TV, wifi, a dishwasher and a washing machine. Bedding and towels are included. We can provide a cot and a highchair if you need them.

There's a pub serving food about two miles away. A good farm shop is nearby too. For a bigger shop, Richmond or Barnard Castle are both about seven miles away. Richmond has a castle and some nice tea shops. Barnard Castle has the Bowes Museum and the castle itself.

You're about half an hour from the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. It's good walking and cycling country. Durham is also half an hour's drive for the cathedral and university. Further out, within about an hour, you've got York, Harrogate, and the North York Moors.

If you're coming to visit someone at Durham, Teesside, or York universities, it's a handy place to stay.

We have another cottage next door called Mill Cottage. You can book both together if there are more of you.

Useful links: Yorkshire Dales National Park and English Heritage Yorkshire.