Ashknott Holiday Cottage

Everybody has different needs, especially when going on holiday.

So we thought we would try and make it a bit easier for our prospective guests to learn more about our cottage and the surrounding area, before their stay with us.

Q: What is the full post code of Ashknott Cottage?
A: It is HG4 3SE and you will find us on the right hand side of Main Street, 150 yards past the garage, heading towards Laverton. Please park outside the cottage on the main road.

Q: What is there to see and do near to Ashknott Cottage?
A: There is so much to do, one week may not be long enough! Seriously, it is your holiday and you can choose to do as much or as little as you wish! To give you a few pointers, here are some ideas for you.

Kirkby Malzeard is a great friendly lower Yorkshire Dales village, with two real ale pubs both serving food, award winning farmshop/butcher, village shop, fish and chip shop and tea rooms, situated in Nidderdale, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

A five minute drive from the cottage will get you to Hackfall Woods, owned by the Woodland Trust where you can explore the waterfalls and follies.

Just down the road from Hackfall, travelling into Wensleydale,you will come across the market town of Masham, home of the Black Sheep Brewery and Theakstons Brewery, local independent arts and craft shops and a twice weekly market.

Travelling towards Ripon from the cottage you will find the beautiful world heritage site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, owned by the National Trust and further on heading towards Harrogate, you will reach their other local site, namely Brimham Rocks.

The Spa town of Harrogate is just a twenty minute drive away where you can enjoy tea at Bettys, take a stroll around RHS Harlow Carr, a dip in the Turkish Baths or just simply sit back and enjoy a glass and a bite to eat, overlooking the Montpellier Gardens and watch the world go by. For those guests who are holidaying with your dog, take a stroll through the beautiful Valley Gardens, Pine Woods and stop off at the tea rooms in the Valley Gardens for a well earnt cuppa and some famous Ripley ice cream... oh by the way... there are some good shops on offer too if retail therapy is your tonic!

Ashknott Cottage is located in a great spot and whichever direction you wish to travel in that day, you will be looking at no more than an hours drive - even when exploring further up into the northern Dales of the Yorkshire National Park. Many guests drive across to Hawes and visit the Wensleydale Creamery, and then stop off at Aysgarth Falls, Leyburn and Middleham on the way back. The scenery is stunning, the local food and drink excellent and our fellow Yorkshire folk will also make you welcome along the way!

There are superb Farmers Markets which take place in many of the local towns nearby, with Ripon being the nearest and which takes place on the third Sunday of the month in the market place.

What are you waiting for - just get out there and explore! You will not be disappointed!

Q: Can I bring my dog with me to Ashknott Cottage?
A: As dog lovers ourselves, we believe that if you have a well-trained, clean and well-behaved dog and want them to join in your trip away, why should you compromise on quality when it comes to your accommodation? We accept upto two well behaved dogs, by prior arrangement, at no extra cost and simply ask in return for you to keep them downstairs at all times, off the furniture and not to leave them unattended at anytime during your stay. Should you be travelling with young dogs aged under one year, we would ask that they are crate trained, and that this item is brought with you on holiday, so that they are settled during the night, and no unforseen damage can therefore be caused. Any damage that is caused by your dog during your stay will be charged for. Should you have any concerns about your dogs manners, we can provide details of a local kennel just a ten minute drive from the cottage, which may be a better arrangement for you should you require more flexibility during your stay. In our experience, the majority of dog owners are very respectful and conscientious people, they care about their dogs and would not let them come on holiday unless they were well-behaved, so they are therefore welcome too!

Q: Anything else we should know about Ashknott Cottage before we stay if we have special needs or requirements?
A: Ashknott Cottage is over 200 hundred years old, originally a ‘farm workers’ cottage built in fabulous local Yorkshire stone with beamed ceilings downstairs. Please note that the staircase, although only ten steps, is rather narrow, partly open at the bottom and a little steeper than a staircase in a modern house. Within the bathroom we have a separate walk in shower and the only house toilet, is situated upstairs in this bathroom. Should you have any questions or queries regarding accessibility, please just ask and we can supply you with a copy of our access report.

Q: What do you provide at Ashknott Cottage?
A: We know that when you go away, it seems like you have packed everything, including the kitchen sink! We have created a real home from home environment for you and already provide the following items for your comfort and enjoyment during your stay:

In the bedroom you will find Egyptian Cotton Bed linen from the White Company, Egyptian Cotton hand towels and bath sheets and a hairdryer.

In the bathroom there are some gorgeous Molton Brown goodies to enjoy whilst showering and bathing!

In the kitchen, tea towels, washing up liquid, dishcloth, handwash, welcome pack of tea, coffee, sugar, milk, kitchen roll, matches, firelighters and multi-surface cleaning spray.

In the shed, logs for the fire, BBQ and charcoal.

As we have been awarded a four star rating from Visit Britain, you can also be assured that the kitchen is also very well equipped and has within it that important potato peeler, bottle opener and can opener!

Should you be travelling with your dog, you will need to bring their water bowl, food bowl, bed and that favourite toy!

Q: What about the local facilities in the village of Kirkby Malzeard?
A: We are very lucky to have such great local facilities on our doorstep! The village boasts two real ale pubs, a fantastic farm shop/butchery, friendly village shop, Fish and Chip Shop, Garage and tea rooms! You can buy superb locally produced meat, poultry, cheeses, vegetables, fruits and cakes within moments from stepping outside the cottage door! Please note that Highside Butchers, Kirkby Motors and the Village shop do accept debit cards although the two pubs do not at this present time so please have some cash on you if you fancy a bite to eat. The Henry Jenkins pub will be getting a machine, date to be confirmed.

Q: Can I get a mobile signal from within the cottage?
A: The Orange network is the best for reliability compared to the other networks.

Q: Where can I walk my dog locally?
A: Our cottage is located on the Main Street of Kirkby Malzeard and in a few minutes, you can enjoy the superb open fields and public footpaths/bridlepaths, which surround the cottage and village.

Q: What about other dog friendly pubs?
A: The pub at Grantley has an outdoor terrace where you can eat with your dog. The White Bear in Masham has a dog friendly bar area where they also serve food. The Coverbridge Inn, near to Masham also allow dogs in the pub and outside in their riverside beer garden. PS: Their steak and kidney pie is to die for!

Q: Where is the nearest dog friendly pub?
A: We have two dog friendly pubs in the village! The Queens Pub at the top of the village of Kirkby Malzeard is very dog friendly. The landlord and drinkers at the pub welcome dogs at anytime in the bar area and do keep a few sneeky dog treats near the bar, for four legged guests! There is also a beer garden to the rear of the pub or seating outside at the front. The Queens pub has diversified and now serves fresh, Indian Tandoori food, cooked to order to enjoy in their dinner room (sorry no dogs in this part though) or to take away and enjoy back at our cottage, if you love Indian food, you will not be disappointed! We are delighted to confirm that the Henry Jenkins Pub has recently re-opened and welcomes dogs in the snug/bar area and outside in their beer garden. The Henry Jenkins serves good, local pub food, from Wednesday - Sunday inclusive, freshly cooked to order by their new resident Chef Gidd.