Cottages at High Oaks Grange

High Oaks Grange is handily located only 30 minutes from historic York, the beaches of Scarborough and Whitby. That is to say it’s slap-bang in the middle of the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park. It’s a mile from the market town of Pickering and the same distance from the village of Thornton-le-Dale. It’s a 10-minute car journey from the mountain biking of Dalby Forest and a similar drive from theme park Flamingo Land. In short, it’s a cracking location for a family holiday in the heart of one of England's most stunning regions. Lucky then, that this place offers four family-friendly holiday cottages among its range of accommodation.

In addition to their glamping pods, luxury lodges and the group-friendly manor house, the High Oaks Grange cottages are an equally excellent base for your North Yorks family getaway. These five-star holiday cottages, all named after local destinations, are not only well located but well appointed too. Each has two or three bedrooms, an open-plan living space with a log burner and a Smart TV. While outside, you can soak away the day's exertions in your very own private hot tub, optimally heated to a perfect 38 degrees. Each cottage also has a private enclosed garden. That fenced-in space is important because these holiday cottages are uber dog friendly, with up to three pooches permitted in the larger lodgings and thoughtful little extras like bowls, treats and holiday tags provided. Every aspect has been well thought out to make your holidays safe and fuss free.

Dalby Cottage, the largest, sleeps up to six. It has three bedrooms on the ground floor, all of which are en suite. The master bedroom boasts a king-sized bed and bathroom with bath in addition to the standard shower, the second bedroom has full-size bunk beds that kids will love (the high ceilings mean they're suitable for adults too), while the third is a twin with two single beds. All rooms come with wall-mounted Smart TVs and Hypnos mattresses. Farndale Cottage has a similar layout with everything on one level but features two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms (a double and a twin). Meanwhile the near neighbours, Keldy Cottage and Rosedale Cottage, are also suitable for four but each has two bedrooms on a second storey which share a family bathroom. Thanks to a flexible bed arrangement, these can easily sleep a couple of couples as easily as a family.

The style inside is neat, contemporary and clean, just as you’d want your holiday cottage to be. Colours are light and neutral and it’s fairly minimalistic throughout with gently quirky design features here and there and a mild country cottage feel that suits the rural location. Speaking of which, walkers and dog owners will enjoy the footpaths from the front door. You can walk to Pickering or to Thornton-le-Dale for pubs and independent shops but there’s a farm shop even closer, Cedarbarn Farm Shop and Cafe is just at the end of the drive. All in all, it's little wonder these cool cottages were awarded Visit England's coveted Gold Award. We couldn't agree more!