Eskdale
The Witching Post
Egton, YO21 1TZ
This is the only pub in the country with this unusual name, celebrating the local North York Moors tradition of a fireplace timber carved with a St Andrews cross to prevent witches coming down the chimney. Ironically, us muggles are made incredibly welcome by Pete the landlord and his brilliant team, and customer service is by far the biggest attribute of this establishment. Accommodation is in three double rooms with en suite available and the very reasonable rates include a top-quality fry-up breakfast. Dogs are made very welcome – they sometimes outnumber the humans in the bar.
Howardian Hills and Ryedale
Newburgh House
Coxwold, YO61 4AS
Nestled next door to medieval Newburgh Priory, Newburgh House is sort of in the village of Coxwold but sort of not. Everything about this place screams elegance and comfort; the building itself is a beautiful old stone edifice with a traditional topiary hedge at the front and a peaceful walled garden behind. Host, Ryan and Andy offer very comfortable accommodation in a choice of six twin or double rooms, with lavish breakfasts. Other extras include luxury afternoon teas, antipasti boards and an in-house yoga studio run by Loraine of Nirvana Soul Wellbeing. Dogs can be catered for in some of the rooms.
Wolds
Wold Cottage
Wold Newton, YO25 3HL
Katrina and Derek Gray offer a variety of good accommodation choices at Wold Cottage, though B&B in one of the six en-suite bedrooms would be my choice. Katrina is a bit of a wiz in the kitchen and has won awards for her breakfasts. Prices are a little higher than average. Self-catering is possible too, in one of two converted farm buildings that both sleep four to six. One of the farm’s fields is available for touring caravans and tents.
The Wolds Retreat
Kilnwick Percy, YO42 1UF
This is a separate building within the grounds of Kilnwick Percy Hall which offers B&B (two doubles en suite, one twin en suite and two singles). Prices are reasonable but there is a two-night minimum stay. If you wish to stay only one night the alternative is a more basic room in the hall itself which doubles as the Madhyamaka Kadampa Meditation Centre. This Buddhist organisation owns the whole estate so wherever you stay you will benefit from the relaxing sense of peace and tranquility that seems to pervade everywhere.
York
The Bar Convent
Blossom St, York
An active convent and ex-girls convent school is perhaps a surprising bed and breakfast venue, but the sisters of the Bar Convent Trust do it very well. As a place to stay while visiting York this place has almost everything going for it; the staff are incredibly welcoming, the breakfasts have won awards, it has extensive, peaceful gardens in which to relax, and it also sits right beside the city walls. Most of the comfortable rooms are en suite. Despite all this, prices are extremely reasonable.
More information
For more information, see Mike Bagshaw’s guide:
