Last Minute Cottages in North Yorkshire

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Julie - Verified booking

  We absolutely loved Wychwood cottage!

  It’s was like getting a big hug of a cosy country cottage. We arrived a little early as wanted to see trains. It’s less than 5 mins walk to Grosmont Station, Perfect. We had a Tesco delivery grocery slot booked for 4pm. All arrived exactly as planned. We used the co-op to ‘top up’. Station cafe filled the gaps on snacks for baked potatoes, sandwiches and cakes! The pub was closed until Thursday night…so take something with you, or book a slot, or pre-order at the co-op We even had Interflora deliver massive bouquet of flowers. Ok - the house….I love a kitchen diner, it had everything you need. The king size bed is downstairs and if you need a pee in the night, you have to go upstairs, just leave a light on up there! We didn’t use the other 2 bedrooms so cannot comment. The king size bed is very comfortable. It got abit cold in the room late at night, so I took my robe and wore that too. Good mattress, great bedding and good quality towels. Need to get some new pillows, as they were abit worn and flat. Again, since covid, I travel with my own. I love a long soak in the bath, lashings of hot water. Husband had showers, it was a pain, ran abit hot and cold, but he got there in the end. We knew there was a woodburner, so we took our own firelights, matches and some logs, just initial supply provided. Furniture is a leather sofa, comfy for two, an upright wingback and a cuddly comfy big chair. The car is parked on private drive down a country lane. It’s fine for my big estate car, access no problems. The enclosed Garden is off set opposite across the quiet back lane, literally just across from front door. There are chickens next door, so keep an eye on ‘Rover’ and sheep and ducks near by. If you want a 20 mins drive, you will be in Whitby. Big supermarkets, best fish and chips, the abbey etc. If you want walks, they’re on your doorstep. If you want steam trains…wow! You’re in the right place. If you want TMC (the model train shop) I know, I know, but it’s 10 mins away in Beck Hole. Robin Hoods Bay is not too far either. I mean it’s the holiday that keeps on giving! We stopped at Harrogate on the way up. Shopping! It was 90 mins away. We usually stay in seaside cottages, this is our first country cottage, but chosen really because of Grosmont station. Well worth a chat to all volunteers. We visited their engine sheds, the signal box and sat on most of the foot plates. thank you for letting out your cottage. We really loved our 4 nights there. Booking for next year for a week.

  Read more less >

• Margaret-anne - Verified booking

  Barforth Hall Dairy - Not Clean, Not COVID Compliant, Not Able to Stay We booked Barforth Hall Dairy for a week long stay but had to leave after 36 hours due to a failed “Additional Clean”.

  We highlighted issues to Sykes & the owner 1 hour after arrival - the place was not clean and therefore not safe for a family visit during a time of COVID -19 restrictions. the water and substances in the kettle upon our arrival (please see Appendix 4)  The dried in food evident on dining plates, making these not safe for use on our arrival (Appendix 5)  The sticky substance covering on the work surface in the kitchen  The dirty condition of the utensils intending for cooking, which contained several cobwebs. The owner does not dispute that these were present in Barforth Hall Dairy at the point of our arrival and after the second clean on 3.7.21 but said the photos ‘had been taken to look bad’. The fact that there were cobwebs on cooking utensils hanging above the sink after 2 supposed cleans WAS bad. It was certainly bad for our family - Cooking utensils being cleaned and safe to use for our arrival is a basic expectation in hospitality. In addition to the missed cobwebs during the “Adfitional Clean” we were still left with  Dead insects in kitchen  Remnants of food still present on dining plates  Removal / replacement of bath mats which appeared to have been utilised by previous guests  Removal / replacement of toilet roll which had evidently been used by previous guests  Food crumbs / debris in drawers of freezer Furthermore the situation was exacerbated when the cleaner who carried out the “additional clean” used our towels and did not use separate sponges etc . COVID-19 guidance states that towels and sponges should not be shared – the towels we brought from home and the dish sponge left for us at Barforth Hall Dairy were both soiled during the second clean, meaning they were no longer in a condition to be safely used by our family. We binned our towels at the property when we left early on the Sunday morning. The owner offered us £50 to make up for the issues but thinks it’s acceptable to keep the £759 paid for a holiday we couldn’t have - we had to leave 6 days early! We are now taking this further which is completely new territory for us. Check out the reviews of Barforth Hall - they’re the same owner & frighteningly similar to our experience. I wish we had - we wouldn’t have made a booking. This place was not clean, not COVID compliant and as a result we did not have a holiday.

  Read more less >

• Andrew - Verified booking

  We were looking for a relaxing couple of days and we ended up wanting to stay longer!

  The location is fantastic, nestled into the countryside on a working farm with horses in view of the hot-tub and out the front along with the Alpacas! We had no issues finding the cottages, the Sykes instructions (as Paula advised) were great, anyone struggling can use the "What3Words" Navigation of ///stencil.racetrack.marshes to get to the front door. Easy to contact the owners, I missed Paula on the phone but we managed to email, and her responsiveness was superfast ( I asked for some extra logs and they were there before we even got back to the cottage ) The Hot tub is simple to use and once heated up once only needs an hour or so each day to get up to full heat, everything needed is provided. We took some plastic "glasses" and it's so relaxing sitting in the hot tub with a drink and just watching the sunset with the horses in view. Locations wise - perfect of Barnard Castle, Bowes Museum, Raby Castle etc are within easy reach by Car and there are a multitude of excellent walks (especially along the river) to get some fresh air and enjoy the English Countryside. The cottage is exactly that, a cottage on a farm. It is not clinically clean - and there are some cobwebs etc but that's to be expected. The kitchen is a good size and has almost everything needed to cook a decent meal in (we made Carbonara & Pasta from scratch and all we were missing as a grater (so we got pre-grated cheese!) The lounge is very comfortable with a good size TV if thats needed. The wood burner makes the room cosy and warm in the evenings (when you can drag yourself out of the hot-tub) Bedrooms were roomy and well fitted out, the 4 poster was great! Comfortable and spacious with pristine bed linen. We had absolutely no issues with either the heating or the hot water (shower was lukewarm - but wasn't an issue) Bath was hot. All in all a fantastic place to stay and get away from it all. Responsive owners, well-equiped cottage in a great location!

  Read more less >

• Mark - Verified booking

  We booked Wychwood for a weeks stay in Grosmont and luckily we had some great - although cold - weather.

  The property benefits massively from its own parking space and if you know the village then this is a massive plus point. Overall well equipped cottage and we were very happy with our stay and the welcome box of goodies was really appreciated. We found the kitchen well equipped to do whatever you need to do and all the appliances worked well I found the log burner a challenge to keep lit - mastered it towards the end of our stay tho and it kept the lounge really warm and cosy. The bedroom downstairs was the only one we used and found the mattress super comfy ! No issues at all getting a good nights sleep after days out walking. There are plenty of walks direct from the property - for a short one would recommend waking the old Toll Road (Barnards Rd) into Egton where you can get food and drink a plenty! It’s also a couple of mins walk to the local pub The Station Tavern who serve excellent food and proper ales - try the Parmo !! The village co-op is also right on the level crossing and stocks pretty much everything and you can withdrawn cash from the Post Office inside when it is open. Further afield it’s a relatively easy walk on the old railway track bed to Beck Hole or Goathland. Do check opening times of the Birch Hall Inn at Beck Hole if you plan this - and it’s cash only. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable stay in a brilliant former iron workers cottage which is well appointed well equipped and clean and tidy. If you do have any issues then the owners are quick to respond either by text or call. There is no wonder it is rarely available ! We will be back !! Thanks again Mark, Di and Oscar the retriever.

  Read more less >

• Daniel - Verified booking

  We had a lovely week at Wychwood.

  The property was clean but needed airing and the bathroom was a little tired in places. The carpets appeared to be brand new and the bedrooms were very clean. The master bedroom is on the ground floor so a bit of a trek to the bathroom. It was lacking blackout curtains which was a major issue for us sleeping when it became light in the morning. The owners should look at rectifying this, along with adding a full size mirror in the room. I would suggest swapping the master and the twin bedrooms round if possible as the rooms were similar sized as it would be a lot nicer upstairs with better views and the bathroom next door if you were a lone couple stopping. The twin bedroom was lacking a wardrobe as was the single so hanging space was limited. The garden was fantastic, a great little sun trap and had sun all the way to the sunset. There was a table and chairs with an umbrella to relax on. We had an issue with a faulty cold water tap leaving no water in the kitchen and a broken gate, both were rectified within a day so very impressed. Parking was very tight however it was possible to fit our two big cars there with a bit of manoeuvring. The property was extremely well stocked with equipment and I would think you would have everything you needed in the kitchen to make some of the biggest of meals. Overall a great stay and we would recommend Wychwood. Great location for the railway and exploring the North Yorkshire moors and coast.

  Read more less >