When we arrived at our cottage, the three-bedroom Chanting Hill Farmhouse, in the picturesque village of Welburn, we walked into the beautifully designed kitchen and drank in the stunning view of the surrounding Yorkshire hills with the famous Castle Howard in the not-so-distance.
We were two couples each with a baby and we all immediately relaxed and let that holiday feeling sink in.
A trip to the 300-year-old Castle Howard stately house and estate, offers the perfect combination of stunning scenery, thanks to the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the unique experience of staying in a gorgeous cottage – listed with English Heritage no less, and furnished with items from Castle Howard itself.
This trip is ideal for families with children looking for a short break to spend time together in beautiful scenery, and to explore Castle Howard and its grounds and gardens – including the adventure playground and a ride on the Kelly Car, driven by the world’s friendliest man.
We didn’t have to spend lots of time researching things to do; one day’s admission to Castle Howard is included in the stay, so it really couldn’t be easier.
The six gorgeous holiday cottages are situated in the quintessential English villages on the Castle Howard Estate and are the perfect mix of modern design with vintage pieces.
Our cottage was a short drive from the castle and its spectacular grounds, ripe for family adventures. And I haven’t even mentioned the village bakery – or the White Company toiletries.
Each cottage has its own personality, pretty bedrooms and bathrooms (bear in mind that cots are not provided), including one which has a stream in the garden, and our family loved exploring.
There is also a camping and caravan park and a Lakeside Holiday Park on the estate for visitors who want to buy a holiday home. And dogs are welcome.
Whatever the season, you can make the most of the trip, enjoying cosy evenings in with the log burner on in winter, or relaxing in front of the incredible views of the Howardian Hills with a glass of wine and dinner in the garden in summer.
We spent our evenings cooking delicious fresh vegetables from the Castle Howard farm shop and were very grateful for the washing machine and dishwasher – handy if you are travelling with young children.
The freshly baked pastries and quiche in the local bakery were a welcome breakfast, and perhaps would have made a better lunch than the disappointing Sunday roast in the pub nearby.
Hovingham stores
One of the highlights of our trip was indulging at the farm shop in the castle grounds and choosing from the fresh produce to take home for dinner that evening – and delicious ground coffee beans for the next morning.
We had a very tasty brunch in Castle Howard’s Courtyard Café, with a flavoursome and filling Yorkshire Chorizo skillet and a thoroughly decent fish and chips as stand-out choices. And that was before we’d even set foot in the castle itself.
While the stunning castle house won’t disappoint, the highlight for our family was a trip on the Kelly Car taking in the mesmerising castle gardens and of course the ice cream parlour at the end – there is so much to see and do, we couldn’t fit it all in in one afternoon.
There is the peaceful walled garden, the meandering trails in the woodland garden with nearly 800 species of Rhododendron, as well as the stunning Great Lake, where you can take summer boat trips to admire the house in all its glory. Then there is the Skelf Island adventure playground – enter if you dare!
There are plenty of opportunities for long walks and cycle rides along the many local footpaths and bridleways. You can also visit the city of York, as well as Malton and Pickering, if you want to explore the nearby areas. And if you feel drawn towards the coast, Scarborough, Whitby and Filey are around an hour’s drive away.
How much
Three nights at the three-bed Chanting Hill Farmhouse from £1134.
VERDICT:A trip to Castle Howard is a great choice for any family or friends looking to spend quality time together in beautiful surroundings. A real plus for busy parents is that it really couldn’t be easier – you choose your cottage, safe in the knowledge that it will be indulgent, comfortable and exquisitely designed – and your ticket to the castle and its grounds is included. A brilliant trip, whatever the season.
More info: Check out the Castle Howard website which gives information about Chanting Hill Farmhouse and other cottages.
Chanting Hill Farmhouse offers:
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