Wren

Boasting an idyllic waterside location in Wensleydale with the beautiful Yorkshire Dales on your doorstep, this appealing stone cottage offers a charming, romantic retreat for two. The single-storey property is set in the picture-postcard village of Little Crakehall, with a welcoming pub and shop, and is just 2.5 miles from the bustling market town of Bedale.

There’s a wealth of wonderfully scenic walking and cycle trails to explore, while other delightful market towns, including Leyburn, Masham, and historic Richmond are within a 10-mile radius. Inside this characterful hideaway, one of a small group of properties, you’ll find a light-filled open-plan living space.

The lounge area houses comfortable seating and a cosy window seat, plus a cosy wood burner-effect gas fire, while the compact kitchen has all you need to get cooking, before sharing a meal at the pretty dining table. A latch door leads to the inviting bedroom, with a pretty, period-style king-size bed, and a shower room with delightful underfloor heating.

French doors in the lounge open onto a private patio with outdoor furniture, a BBQ, and a garden lawn above the delightful Crakehall Beck, offering the perfect spot for a peaceful morning cuppa. Book a tour around the beautifully restored corn mill next to your cottage and enjoy a peaceful stroll along the banks of the beck.

Stock up on tasty local produce at Bedale’s weekly Tuesday market and an excellent range of independent shops. Visit the town’s fine 12th-century church and splendid museum before hopping aboard the Wensleydale Railway for a ride through glorious scenery into the Dales.

Also on the train route is Leyburn (8.5 miles), home to historic Bolton Castle. Dating back 600 years, it has lots to discover; from dungeons to Mary, Queen of Scots’ bedroom.