Space abounds at East Lodge, a collection of handsomely converted rural barns in pretty Lower Wensleydale. Safe and secluded, this is a home that suits multigenerational family get-togethers just as well as large groups of friends.
Down a private drive within the sprawling Diamond Hill Farm, flanked by vintage Yorkshire scenery, this renovated complex is also arranged across a single storey and contains wet rooms – making it ideal, too, for anyone of limited mobility.
A series of connected spaces offer much room to socialise or spread out. That includes the country-style kitchen and its central breakfast bar, whose stools enable chit-chats whilst dinner is being prepared. In the open-plan living area, sofas surround the handmade brick fireplace and its log-burning stove as classic beams soar above solid oak floors in an adjoining dining area.
Neighbouring this is a bright, southerly-aspect conservatory that in turn leads to an enclosed courtyard featuring comfortable garden furniture. Back in the sitting room, expansive windows overlook a shrub-flanked lawn around which kids can gad about while parents perch on the terrace. Overlooked by no-one, this garden affords gorgeous views of the Hambleton Hills beyond rolling countryside.
Each bedroom has a large bed, or twin beds in one case. Two of the double rooms come with en-suite wet rooms; the remaining guests share an extra bathroom whose whirlpool bath is wonderfully soothing after days out.
As sunlight floods in, white walls emphasise the abundance of space throughout; on chillier days, however, geothermal underfloor heating and that wood-burner ensure everyone stays perfectly snug.
East Lodge is ideally positioned between the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks; with both easy to reach by car, that puts an abundance of walks and historical sites on your doorstep, as well as Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force – waterfalls seen in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. There are also fine market towns such as castle-crowned Richmond, while the Forbidden Corner garden will enchant children and anglers, golfers and horse-riders are also in luck.
Within walking distance, meanwhile, is the community owned pub in Hunton. But you may not even get that far: amid the estate’s own 30 acres, lovely strolls through meadows lead to an idyllic woodland stream where tufted ducks, water hens, curlews, rabbits and hares can be spotted.
Getting availability
