Just 2 miles from the edge of the North York Moors, this deceptively spacious two-storey cottage comes with its own games room and an inviting courtyard garden. It offers a group of four people with two hounds a convenient base to explore an outstanding natural landscape, before returning to a comfortable environment bursting with homely Victorian design touches. With natural attractions and several market towns within easy reach, it’s a haven for anyone who loves exploring glorious countryside and moorland on foot, two wheels and even by steam train.
The lounge’s plump sofas are just the place to sink into after a long day out, with a wood burner on hand during colder evenings. The bright and airy kitchen/diner overlooks a courtyard garden and will be a popular gathering spot, with the tempting aromas from the Aga sure to attract those with four paws. Things are sure to get competitive around the pool table in the games room, a useful option for restless youngsters on rainy days. A steep staircase with a dog leg landing leads to the first floor, comprising a shower room and two bedrooms: a double bedroom and a twin bedroom, both featuring iron bed frames and thermal, blackout curtains. The quaint courtyard to the rear is an ideal space for al fresco dining.
The centre of Pickering (within 100 metres) offers plenty of dog-friendly attractions, including the castle, along with eateries and pubs that welcome canine customers. Dogs go free on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which starts off at Pickering Station (0.5 miles) and navigates through outstanding moorland scenery and wooded countryside before terminating at Whitby (23 miles), home to iconic abbey ruins, piers and a host of dog-friendly amenities. The journey there alone will give walkers and cyclists a tonne of inspiration.