Anvil Cottage
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Overview
A farmhouse cottage with bucolic charm and an off the beaten track rural setting amidst the rolling Yorkshire countryside.
Enjoy the country life in this pastoral bolthole set in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“Full of oak, beech, sycamore, ash and 18th-century lime trees, one of my favourite woods is Hackfall, near Ripon in North Yorkshire,” says Dame Judi Dench of Hackfall Wood, which is within walking distance from Anvil Cottage and historically linked with nearby Fountains Abbey. It’s high praise but you don’t have to be a national treasure to appreciate the beauty of this part of ‘God’s Own Country’, Yorkshire’s Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with its heather-clad moors, rolling pastures and dense woodland.
Located in Yorkshire’s Lower Wensleydale region, the delightful market town of Masham (pronounced Massam) is famed for its family-run breweries, steam engines and annual sheep fair. It is also home to artists, authors and craftsmen and boasts established links to creative greats such as JW Turner and Lewis Carroll.
Anvil Cottage, just a few minutes from Masham, is a delightful bolthole that oozes authentic charm from its fire-warmed open-plan living area and kitchen to its two cosy bedrooms. Thanks to its position, adjoining the owner’s farmhouse, you can kick off your mornings with a slap-up breakfast of free-range eggs and home-baked bread fresh from the farm before exploring Masham, cycling or hiking along the scenic Nidderdale trails or visiting the nearby historic cathedral cities of Ripon and York, known for their lively café culture.
Alternatively, enjoy the good life by staying right where you are, and gather eggs from the orchard opposite the cottage. Sunny afternoons can be spent relaxing on the cottage’s south-facing terrace or generous lawn while rainy ones can be whiled away by the log burner or, best of all, soaking in the spectacular freestanding slipper bath in the master bedroom, which spans the entire top floor. Boasting far-reaching views east, all the way to the 228ft-high limestone White Horse hill figure above Kilburn, the sumptuous master bedroom blends country cottage charm with that bath as well as a large en-suite shower room. The second bedroom, located on the ground floor, features two queen-size beds and an en-suite shower room, making it ideal for those seeking stair-free accommodation.
Property details
Ground floor
Open-plan kitchen and living area with sofa, armchairs, TV with Freeview and wood burning stove (logs provided). Compact kitchen with electric oven, ceramic hob, fridge with ice-box, microwave and dishwasher. Please note there is no washing machine available.
Dining table with seating for four. Door to garden.
Bedroom two with two queen size beds, built-in wardrobe, bedside tables and TV. Suitable for two adults or four children.
En suite shower room with walk-in shower, WC and basin.
First floor
Bedroom one - master bedroom with zip and link beds which can be configured as 3' twins or 6' super king double, free-standing bath and towel rail, two chests of drawers, TV and stunning views over open countryside.
En suite shower room with walk-in shower, WC and basin.
Outside
There is a large patio with outdoor furniture for guests' private use. Guests are welcome to use the large lawned areas at the front and side of the cottage and also have access to the orchard to collect eggs.
Parking
There is ample parking to the front of the property.
Babies & children
A travel cot and highchair are available on request. A selection of toys is also available.
Dogs
Sorry, dogs are not allowed at Anvil Cottage.
Guest amenities
Guest toiletries are provided. A hairdryer is provided in each bedroom.
Wi-Fi & Mobile coverage
Wi-Fi is available and mobile coverage is reasonable on most networks.
Heating
The property has oil central heating throughout. There is a wood burning stove in the sitting room with logs provided.
Guest privacy
The cottage is adjacent to the owner's farmhouse. The owners are on hand if required to help guests get the best from their stay. Equally the owners are very respectful of guests' privacy and use the rear entrance of their own house when guests are staying.
Location
Set amidst the rolling countryside of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Anvil Cottage offers a welcome dose of authentic rural life. A multitude of scenic walks and mountain bike trails are found right on the doorstep, leading to local attractions and beauty spots.
For all its sense of blissful isolation, the cottage is just 10 minutes’ drive from the quaint town of Masham, which boasts two award-winning butchers, a grocer, bakery and a monthly farmer’s market (on the 1st Sunday of the month), making it a great spot to stock up on local produce for your stay. For more extensive shopping, there are Marks & Spencer and Booths supermarkets a little further away in the historic cathedral city of Ripon and a Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s in Harrogate.
Our Insider Tips
Culinary Delights
This wouldn’t be a holiday without the occasional meal out and, fortunately, there’s no shortage of excellent local gastropubs and restaurants. For the finest Yorkshire dining, book a table at the Michelin-star Black Swan at Oldstead or enjoy chef Tommy Banks’ delicious food in the comfort of Anvil Cottage, by ordering one of his three- or five-course food boxes to be delivered to your doorstep, oven-ready!
Culture
Closer to home, the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden make for a wonderful day trip, encompassing the ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, an Elizabethan Mansion and a medieval deer park. Children are well catered for here too with a superb play area that incorporates a sustainable ‘playscape’, zip wires, scramble nets as well as a fun den building area.
Local Walks
Set amidst the rolling countryside of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty, Anvil Cottage offers a welcome dose of authentic rural life. A multitude of scenic walks are found right on the doorstep, leading to local attractions and beauty spots such as Hackfall Woods and the Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park which comprises 45 acres of woodland, landscaped gardens and an arboretum, all dotted with diverse sculptures. The Himalayan Gardens, which typically open from April through November, are particularly celebrated for their dazzling spring display of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias and autumn foliage.
Golf
Oakdale Golf Club is a delightful 18-hole course on the outskirts of Harrogate which is set in 100 acres of peaceful North Yorkshire countryside and offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Masham Golf Club is even closer and offers 9 holes of golf on an attractive course that sits in mature parkland, with the central feature of the River Burn always an interesting hazard to contend with.
Events
Finally, this wouldn’t be Yorkshire without a little flutter on the horses: spend a morning at Middleham Castle & Gallops watching racehorses being trained by one of several local yards, head to nearby Ripon or Thirsk for an afternoon race meeting or glam up for a flat meeting at York's legendary racecourse.
Services
Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Babysitting and nannies
Relax, explore the local area, enjoy a long lunch or a romantic evening out by hiring one of our fully qualified registered and experienced nannies or babysitters to come to your house.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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Wine delivery
Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.
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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
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Reviews
"Magnificent stay, beautiful cottage and the owners are so welcoming and very hospitable. We will certainly visit again."
Ms Cowe"We had a delightful stay at Anvil Cottage. The hosts are exceptional - extremely welcoming, generous & helpful. And the cottage is beautifully presented with many thoughtful touches. The owners should be very proud of what they offer to their guests. We’d be extremely happy to return again."
Mr & Mrs Spink"Thanks for arranging an excellent cottage. It was comfortable, well equipped. Good and varied walks from the doorstep. Excellent views over typical Nidderdale landscape from the cottage and the terrace where we enjoyed breakfast most mornings. The owners were very welcoming and generous hosts."
Mr Lowe- Sorry, dogs are not allowed.
- Typical arrival day: Friday or Monday
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"Situated next to the owner's farmhouse, Anvil Cottage offers a first-hand glimpse into the good life. Enjoy fresh eggs straight from the friendly hens that roam freely in the orchard."Lauraine, Crabtree & Crabtree
