A cottage holiday in the Howardian Hills opens a doorway to a beautiful experience. This stunning area is central for days out to York, Scarborough and the North Yorkshire Moors. It is truly a lovely place to stay for that weekend break or more.
View holiday cottages in the Howardian Hills
30 years after being given the prestigious title of an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty for its lavish landscapes and picturesque countryside, the Howardian Hills remain a stunning and ever popular location to visit for tourists from not just the UK but also around the globe.
With a spectacular location between the historic and lively city of York and the beautiful and serene North York Moors National Park, the Howardian Hills provide that perfect equilibrium for those wanting a stress-free walking holiday or something that little more thrill-seeking. For example, a 15-km mountain biking ride starting from famous local landmark Castle Howard is certainly an adrenaline hit for those wanting something a little bit extra from their trip to God’s Own Country.
As well as being a great meeting point for mountain bikers, Castle Howard is the perfect day out for all the family. Lying at the heart of the Howardian Hills, this magnificent 18th century stately home famously designed by Sir John Vanbrugh provides the finest art and architecture in the whole of Yorkshire. A must for culture vultures everywhere! Moreover, an array of lakes, fountains, gardens and a children’s adventure playground make Castle Howard popular as much with the younger ones as the more mature crowd.
Castle Howard isn’t the only country estate in this part of the world however. The Howardian Hills in fact boast numerous homes of particular interest such as Nunnington Hall, Hovingham Hall, Scampston Hall, Howsham Mill and Ampleforth Abbey; all worth a day’s visit. Looking to go slightly further afield? The riverside ruins of Kirkham Priory set in Derwent Valley are the ideal location for a picnic or even to learn more about the secret visit of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the Second World War.
With extraordinary views of local landscapes and acres of farmland and forestry to explore, a leisurely walk among the gorgeous Howardian Hills is a given. One of the most popular and the ideal stretch of legs for a Sunday is the 6km River Rye walk in Nunnington. Providing fantastic riverside scenery, you may also catch a glimpse of the wildlife from the area as you make your way along the meandering footpaths, synonymous with this area of Yorkshire. Birds such as Bullfinches, Barn Owls and Common Buzzards have all been frequently seen over the valleys and hillsides by ramblers. Animals like the Meadow Brown Butterfly, common amongst the lush green meadows in Summer and Brown Hares, often regularly visible at night are other examples of some of the bright and beautiful wildlife spotted in recent years. Those of us obsessed with plant life will also appreciate the flower rich woodland grounds and roadside verges in the Howardian Hills. Wood anemone and Meadow cranesbill are just some of the colourful species which have caused strollers to stop and take picture perfect photographs; the highlight of many a photo album.
If walking isn’t for you, then you may want to try other sports in the local area such as fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The River Derwent is a popular place for all of your lakeside activities and houses friendly associations on its shores like Malton and Norton Canoe Club, which welcome all levels and abilities of paddlers to its clubhouse. Wanting to stick to a drier terrain? Pheasant and Partridge Shooting is recommended, as is Pony Trekking which is an overall crowd-pleaser due to its good network of bridleways.
After all this exercise, you will need to recoup some of your much-needed energy. This is where Yorkshire’s array of pubs, cafes and restaurants come into fruition. Known for much more than its pasties and puddings, the cuisine in the Howardian Hills is second to none. If you’re lucky enough to be in the area for the second Saturday of the month, why not make your way to Malton Food Market, proud to be labelled Yorkshire’s Food Capital? Located in the Market Place, you can see why Malton deserves this prestigious title as you wander around the 35 specialist and locally sourced food stalls, all offering something totally different and just as tasty as the last. With live chef demos orchestrated by Ian Rae and David Spencer from The Coachman Inn in Snainton and Gilly Robinson from Malton Cookery School, just a taster of what is coming up in the New Year, the Howardian Hills really has become the hub of all things foodie.
If you’re wanting somewhere that literally has all you can want in a break, the Howardian Hills is certainly somewhere that should be high up on your list. With picturesque surroundings, family fuelled activities and the finest dining facilities for miles around, has the time already come to book that memorable 2018 holiday in the countryside?