Despite what sun-lovers (or rather cold-weather haters) say, there’s actually no better time for a short country break than in winter. The frosty season is the perfect time to wrap up warm and enjoy scenic afternoon walks with loved ones, before retreating to luxury for a cosy evening in front of the TV. And the perfect way to bring all of this together has to be a short cottage holiday in one of the UK’s many National Parks. These expansive breathing spaces, as they’re known colloquially (and for marketing reasons), are wildlife hotbeds with lots to explore, see and do. Naturally, a seasonal break in such a park can be both not only relaxing, but exciting too.
One such UK park is the North York Moors National Park, which is also one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in England. Located in North Yorkshire, the moors cover over 550 square miles of beautiful countryside, and boast a population of little more than 20,000. This low population density makes the region a perfect destination for rest and recuperation – especially if you’re taking a break from a major city or other urban area.
To really indulge in the landscape, however, you have to embrace it – and there’s no better way of doing so than a self-catering cottage set right in the thick of the wilderness. A glorious sanctuary for you and yours, a cottage is the perfect, quintessentially British headquarters for your holiday, and will be the perfect home from home. Choosing your own picture-perfect cottage has also never been easier than it is in the modern era, with the internet allowing for incredibly refined instant searches. For example, you can easily define your budget range, a location radius and how many beds you’ll need. But more interestingly, you can narrow your search down further to include specifics like whether or not the property has a power shower.
You’ll be glad to know the North York Moors National Park has an abundance of cottage properties, which means prices are very competitive. The amount of choice you have is also overwhelming, with many cottage owners even allowing pets in on the fun! It doesn’t matter if you’re not a pet person, other search parameters include hot tubs – arguably the most fun of all – barbecues and Wi-Fi, which is certainly a deal breaker for many people.
Explore the great outdoors and York
Of course, you wouldn’t plan a holiday solely around accommodation, as your country escape will see much of your time spent in the great outdoors. And the North York Moors is one of England’s finest destinations for adventurous holidays, as there are so many beautiful walking and cycling routes to explore, meaning you can literally get lost for days at a time – should you wish to. Aside from the rambling, if you have a car you’ll no doubt want to visit the historic city of York for a day. Founded by the Romans and famed for its glorious cathedral, York is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon of your holiday. It is also reason enough for you to choose a self-catering cottage, as the city is brimming with great traditional cafes (perfect for tea and cake), as well as some truly stunning restaurants for evening dining, and classic English pubs.
Lots to see and do
Don’t be fooled into thinking there isn’t plenty going on in and around the moors themselves though, as this is definitely not the case. History and nature are in perfect balance to give the moors a fascinating landscape that is rich in both heritage and wildlife – making it a truly stunning, one of a kind place to visit. After all, it’s not every day that you will embark on a walk and be met by ancient trees and wild birds of prey in the United Kingdom. So if you’re looking for an intriguing, affordable and relaxing holiday in the UK this winter, give the North York Moors National Park a chance; you certainly won’t regret it.
All the way to the seaside
The Yorkshire Moors National Park extends all the way to the east coast and the North Sea. Included along the stretch of coastline are family favourite seaside resorts such as Whitby and Scarborough. Miles of sand and coastline peppered with tourist attractions are there to welcome and entertain.
Dog-friendly places to stay and visit
The entire national park is just perfect for holidaymakers accompanied by their dogs. Miles of seemingly endless walks and even a few dogs allowed beaches make this the ultimate dog-friendly holiday destination in northern England. View dog-friendly cottages in Yorkshire that sleep four people - some situated on the moors.
