Formerly home to a Georgian blacksmith and wheelwright as well as the village grocer, The Grocers’ Houses on Yorkshire’s Nunnington Estate combine historical character with beautiful interior design. Gather friends and family here and have the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at your fingertips, promising hours of invigorating country walks fuelled by pauses in cosy pubs. The River Rye flows past the cottages and is sure to appeal to fans of fly fishing as well as tempt relaxed strolls along its banks. With the historic houses of Castle Howard and Nunnington Hall also lying just a short distance away, it’s the perfect base from which to explore North Yorkshire.
Wrays Cottage is the larger of the two and sleeps eight guests in four bedrooms. Lawns flank the rear and side of the cottage while the raised deck commands picturesque views across the river and surrounding countryside. Enter into the snug, where you’ll find cosy seating and a historic map of the estate hanging on the powder-blue walls. A utility room lies next door, as does a handy downstairs bathroom complete with a roll-top bath.
At the heart of the cottage is the welcoming country kitchen, where bar seating gathers around a wooden countertop and a farmhouse kitchen table creates the perfect place for breakfast. The formal dining room is located next door with seating for your entire party at its large table, warmed by the log burner set in a red brick inglenook fireplace. The living room lies through the kitchen at the opposite side of the cottage and is home to another log burner and cosy sofas.
The first of the four bedrooms can be found on the ground floor beyond the dining room, featuring a king size bed and an ensuite bathroom. The remaining bedrooms are all situated upstairs on the first floor, one of which features a super king size bed which can also be configured as twins, the second a fixed super king size bed, and the final a double. Each room is decorated in its own colour palette, including warm woollen blankets and crisp bed linen. A family bathroom serves the bedrooms on this floor and includes a spacious rainforest shower.
The Old Forge is detached from Wrays Cottage but lies just next door, fringed by sweeping lawns to the rear and side of the cottage and perfect for one or two members of your group who need a little peace and quiet. In the garden, a covered table and chairs on a raised patio enjoys more of those pretty river views – the ideal spot to enjoy a slow start to the morning.
Double glass doors lead into the inviting and open-plan kitchen, living, and dining space. The kitchen is complete with an induction hob, Belfast sink, and views out to the garden and is joined by a dining table with seating for four. At the far end of the room a sofa, ottoman, and armchair are upholstered in fine wool and botanical patterned fabrics, creating a cosy space to settle in front of the log burner.
Continue through the door to the left of the fireplace and enter the bedroom, where olive-green and cream wooden panelling elevate the surviving brick forge and chimney – now converted into a glass-topped side table. Crisp white bed linen and patterned cushions top the super king size bed and an ensuite bathroom lies next door, featuring a rainforest shower, leafy artworks, and a heated towel rail.
There are countless walking trails and bridleways to be explored from The Grocers’ Houses, so you can look forward to making the most of the unspoiled beauty and thriving wildlife of North Yorkshire. There’s also plenty to keep you occupied a little further afield, from the National Trust property of Nunnington Hall which is situated just quarter of a mile away, with its stunning gardens and calendar of exhibitions, to the region’s foodie capital of Malton and the racecourse and cathedral at Ripon. Browse the calendar and book your country escape now.
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