Don’t let winter get you down, head out to God’s Own County for a bit of well deserved R&R.
When the sun doesn’t shine and the skies are grey, winter can be a real drag. Sometimes, you just need to get away. Fret not, there are plenty of cosy Yorkshire winter breaks that will transport your mind to warmer climes. From luxury spa getaways with private hot tubs to snug cottages with underfloor heating and log fires, these Yorkshire escapes offer the kind of luxury retreat that you need to feel content this winter. Which one will take your fancy?
Lendal Tower
A wintertime getaway to the dead centre of York might not be quite what you had in mind for your winter break in Yorkshire, but Lendal Tower will soon change your mind. This is an Ancient Scheduled Monument that was originally built in 1299 as part of the city’s original walls. Inside, it’s been lovingly restored with a steep spiral staircase taking you up four floors to three ultra cosy double bedrooms, perfect for families or friends. It’s quite the quaint affair, with wood-panelled walls, four-poster beds and windows that look out over the River Ouse – it doesn’t get much more cosy than this.
And since you’re in the heart of York, you won’t be short of things to do while you’re here. It’s a downright pretty city, even in winter, so be sure to make time to visit local landmarks like York Minster and Clifford’s Tower. Want to avoid that cool winter wind? You can visit The National Railway Museum and York Castle Museum, or grab a seat on a charming riverboat cruise down the Ouse. Looking for a bite to eat? Enjoy modern European cuisine at The Star Inn The City, rustic Italian fare at Nola or Thai street food at Zaap Thai.
Lendal Tower, Lendal Bridge, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7DP. Prices start from £700 for a minimum of two nights.
Mill Fosse Cottage
Did you know you can stay in the old buildings of Wensleydale Creamery? Well now you do! Mill Fosse Cottage is the epitome of cosy. This is a picture-perfect stone cottage that’s full of old-world character. From the hard stone walls to the flagged floors and the exposed beams, it’s everything and more you could want for a cosy winter getaway in Yorkshire. There’s an ultra snug double bedroom, a rustic kitchen with an Aga cooker and a first-floor living room that comes with a wood-burning fire, perfect for those chilly winter days. Better yet, it’s dog-friendly, so your pooch can come along too.
The current Wensleydale Creamery is just a short walk away, where you can see how the cheese is made and pick up some to take home. There’s also the Dales Countryside Museum, with a cafe, an art gallery and a gift shop, so you could wile away an entire afternoon here. If you’re looking for an outdoor winter adventure, you can wander up to Hardraw Falls or hire bikes for the day from Stage 1 Cycles. For a meal to fight off the cold, visit The Stone House Hotel, a charming country pub where you can tuck into quality grub made from local produce, or make a beeline for The Chippie for their acclaimed fish and chips.
Mill Fosse Cottage, Chapel Street, Hawes, North Yorkshire, DL8 3QT. Prices start from £440 for a minimum of three nights.
Ivy Cottage
Ivy Cottage is a stunning terraced cottage in the quaint Yorkshire village of Crayke. The cottage is part of a pretty 19th-century terrace on the village’s main street and has been beautifully restored to maintain all of its old-world charm, with all the modern comforts thrown in for the quintessential winter break. There are big comfy sofas in front of a roaring open fire and a big farmhouse table in the open kitchen where you can enjoy home-cooked meals. You’ll find two stylish bedrooms on the first floor and a further incredible wooden-beamed master bedroom in the loft. It’s dog-friendly too, with a petite, secluded garden out back the hound will love.
The village is as picturesque as they come – something you can discover for yourself on the 1-mile Crayke Estate Walk. It’s an hour-long ramble packed full of amazing views, and you can pop into the Dutch House Cafe and Gallery on the way. The cottage’s owners, Sasha and Michael Ibbotson, also happen to own The Durham Ox, an award-winning gastropub full of traditional Yorkshire charm that you’ll want to check out. But, if you’re pulling out all the stops, Michelin-starred restaurant The Black Swan at Oldstead is only a short drive away.
Ivy Cottage, Westway, Crayke, York, North Yorkshire, YO61 4TE. Prices start from £370 for a minimum of two nights.
Lumley Cottage
You can head to one of the prettiest parts of the North Yorkshire Moors for a well-deserved winter break at the delightful stone-built Lumley Cottage. Located in Thornton-le-Dale, it has space for up to three lucky guests, and once inside, you’ll be welcomed by a wonderfully rustic decor with wooden doors, sage green bedroom walls and a spacious farmhouse-style kitchen, complete with an Aga cooker. On those cold, dark Yorkshire winter nights, there’s no better way to spend the evening than cosied up under a blanket in front of the log burning fire in the living room.
It may be in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, but there’s plenty to do while you’re here. Thornton-le-Dale’s own Motor Museum is full of vintage cars from as far back as 1818, a real delight for auto lovers, while you can see the work of local artists at The Stables Art Gallery. The pretty market town of Pickering is only three miles away, but since you’re in the North York Moors, how about a winter wander? You can head on a riverside stroll up to the picturesque village of Ellerburn and back. And if you’re in need of refreshments, The New Inn is a few minutes’ walk away, while The Fox and Rabbit in Lockton and The Horseshoe Inn in Levisham are two wonderful country inns a short drive away.
Lumley Cottage, Brook Lane, Thornton-le-Dale, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7RZ. Prices start from £450 per week but short breaks are available on request.
Shire House
Credit: Paylor Photography
Shire House is a hobbit house right in the middle of the North York Moors, and it’s the perfect Yorkshire wintertime adventure, whether you’re a Bilbo Baggins fan or not. This is a grass-roofed cottage straight from a fairytale (or just The Lord of the Rings) with farm animals grazing away in the fields around you. Inside, it’s equally charming, boasting wooden beams, stained glass windows, circular wooden doors and a log fire. There’s an open-plan kitchen to do some cooking in, a delightfully cosy living room to relax in and even an outdoor fire pit if you fancy a spot of stargazing on your winter break.
Bringing the little ones with you? They’ll make good use of the indoor playing area and you can give them a hand feeding the animals. Since you’re in Liverton, there are loads of great walking routes for you to take on no matter what the Yorkshire weather throws at you. Why not head to Great Ayton and up to Roseberry Topping for some incredible rolling views? You can also head out to the coast with the villages of Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Staithes just a few miles away. If you don’t fancy making use of the kitchen, The Water Wheel Inn is just around the corner – expect a traditional country pub with all the original features and a menu of classic pub grub.
Shire House, The North Shire, Liverton, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, TS13 4TJ. Prices start from £500 for a minimum of two nights.
Bramble Cottage
If you’re after a peaceful getaway for just the two of you, Bramble Cottage may just be the ticket. It’s a converted barn-house with everything you need on one level. You’ll enter into a spacious open-plan living area, which is the hub of the cottage – expect huge wooden beams, exposed brickwork and a farmhouse-style kitchen with a large dining table perfect for romantic dinners. The sofas are large and oh-so-comfy, the bedroom endlessly stylish and cosy, and if you get chilly, the whole place has underfloor heating, making cold feet a thing of the past.
Outside, there’s a private hot tub to get the bubbles going and a barbecue hut that comes complete with cosy blankets, so you can use it even in the winter months. They also offer use of their thermal spa for a small additional fee for the ultimate retreat. If you do end up leaving the cottage, you won’t be short of things to do. Nature-lovers can head straight to the Trans Pennine Trail, which is just a mile away, or you can enjoy some retail therapy in Holmfirth, the town where Yorkshire’s own the Last of the Summer Wine was filmed. If you don’t fancy cooking, a trip to Millhouse Green is in order. Here you’ll find The Blacksmith’s Arms, a traditional pub known for its traditional eats.
Bramble Cottage, Hollin Lane, Millhouse Green, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S36 9NH. Prices start from £315 for a minimum of three nights.
The Old Chapel
For a truly cosy break in one of the loveliest and quietest parts of Yorkshire, head to The Old Chapel in Buckden. Built in 1891, this is a Wesleyan chapel that sleeps up to four of you. There’s a stove for snuggling up in the lounge, two cushy bedrooms and stunning uninterrupted views of the Wharfedale Hills, studded with dry-stone walls. Come for Christmas and it’ll be decorated for you. Dogs are just as welcome, making this the perfect place to take respite on your winter country walks.
Since you’re in the Dales, it’s only right to want to get out and explore this lovely part of the world. The chapel makes the perfect base for a walking trip, with unspoiled countryside all around as far as the eye can see. There’s loads to see nearby, with Bolton Castle, the Hardraw Force waterfall and Wensleydale Creamery all a short drive away. There’s a cracking pub within walking distance to get your feed – The Buck Inn is a Georgian coaching inn serving local ales from the likes of Theakston’s and Wensleydale Brewery. Or, you can take a stroll to The White Lion in nearby Cray for exceptional pub food – the shortcrust pastry pie is just what you need after a bracing winter walk.
The Old Chapel, Buckden, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 5JA. Prices start from £330 for a minimum of three nights.
