Bijou Boltholes

The Dreamer’s Hut is ideal for those looking for a unique experience whilst relaxing in the peace and tranquillity of the North York Moors National Park countryside. This National Park is renowned for its Dark Skies and at night the skies are often filled with the many constellations, which you can watch from the luxury of the log-fired bath, listening to the awakening owls. Beautifully presented inside and furnished to an exceptionally high standard, complete with a cosy wood burner for those chilly nights, the hut caters for your every need and includes a thoughtful basket of local delights to welcome you to your unique accommodation. Outside is the estate orchard with a seating area overlooking the rolling hills, dales and woodland of the North York Moors. All of your home comforts are found within this inspiring hut, including a luxurious kingsize bed with a deep mattress and high quality linen, a working kitchen, and a bathroom with the option of soaking in the bath or starting the day with a refreshing shower.
The historic hill top village of Hawnby is a designated Conservation Area of traditional stone and pantiles roof cottages, with the local pub just a short walk away. The area is also a walker’s paradise, with an enormous selection of footpaths and bridleways to choose from, including the nearby Inn Way and Cleveland Ways long distance paths. What could be more romantic than an escape to the country in a bespoke shepherd’s hut, enjoying a home cooked meal with a glass of wine out on the decking as the light fades and the colours of the sunset ebb across the sky.
Dreamer’s Hut is only 6 miles from Helmsley, one of Yorkshire’s finest market towns. This renowned market town is where the North York Moors and the Howardian Hills meet, offering fine historic views and countryside with a reputation for great Yorkshire hospitality. The market square is a meeting point for walkers, cyclists and locals alike. There are also many shops, cafés, eateries including Michelin starred restaurants, an open-air swimming pool, walled garden, castle, bird of prey centre, microbrewery, two abbey ruins and the stately home of Duncombe Park.
The Dreamer’s Hut is named after ’The Hawnby Dreamers’ - three local shepherds who in the mid-1700s, fell asleep whilst working in the fields on a hot day in the adjacent valley of Ladhill Ghyll, of which the hut overlooks. The shepherds awoke to discover they had each had the same vivid dream of spiritual awakening and being called to change their lives for the better. The three subsequently walked to Newcastle to hear the preaching of the famous John Wesley and converted to Methodism, bringing this faith back to Hawnby. Village pub 500 yards, village shop 1 mile and alternative local pubs and restaurants within 6 miles.

Lock Cottage offers the perfect place in which to relax and unwind, having a stunning location overlooking the water meadows, a natural habitat for bird and wildlife, so be sure to bring binoculars! Lock Cottage has been renovated to a very high standard and offers spacious and contemporary living, boasting its own games room with table tennis and first floor balcony terrace taking full advantage of the amazing views. Located on the edge of a peaceful village with a local shop and pub a short walk away, the cottage neighbours an impressive water mill and water meadows with miles of riverside walks, fishing and canoeing. Set between the Broads and the North Norfolk coastline, the cottage offers an excellent holiday location. The Broads are just a short drive away and at Wroxham, the ‘capital of the Broads’, daily boat hire is available to explore the famous waterways abundant with bird and wildlife, as well as many inns, restaurants or cafés that can be found along the riverside. Norfolk’s coastline with soft sandy beaches is readily accessible, as are RSPB bird and nature reserves, the coastal path offering bracing walks and the traditional seaside resorts of Cromer and Sheringham which offer a range of amenities to suit all ages. Explore the many traditional market towns, National Trust properties and gardens along with the popular city of Norwich renowned for its excellent shopping and beautiful Norman castle museum. For activities appealing to children try Banham Zoo, Wroxham Barns and Craft Centre, Bewilderwood at Horning, Dinosaur Adventure Park at Lenwade, West Runton Shire Horse Centre or Splash fun pool at Sheringham. Shop and pub ¼mile.

A stunning holiday property standing detached, set on the edge of the Salt Marshes in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Marsh Barn has been completely re-designed to offer spacious and well-equipped accommodation to discerning guests looking for somewhere of a very good standard in which to relax and unwind. Everything has been thought of, from well-appointed marble bathrooms, some of which have freestanding baths, a kitchen with extras such as warming drawers and a utility with drying area for wetsuits.
The rooms are light and airy, and provide breathtaking views across the Salt Marshes, with their ever-changing tidal patterns, towards the sea and golf club. Within large gardens with a sheltered, walled, sunny lawned garden and furniture, and leading to a fruit orchard and private hard tennis court, the property is well placed for guests who wish to leave their cars parked up for the whole week and explore on foot, as there are walks on the marsh, cycle routes, golf, sailing and award-winning pubs to discover every day, all within easy walking distance. The property is excellent for bird-watching enthusiasts, with direct access from the garden leading to the National Trust marshes and Coastal Path. It is also an easy walk to Brancaster’s sandy beach, golf and sailing club.
For those who like water, there is sailing, water skiing and windsurfing from the harbour for all ages and levels. Golfing enthusiasts will welcome the rare opportunity to play on the world class golf course too. Brancaster beach is beautiful year round and offers both a sunny retreat and bracing walks. There are a series of nature reserves to explore, including the RSPB-managed Titchwell Marsh, whose reed beds and lagoons are home to nesting avocets, marsh harriers and bitterns. From the little harbour at Brancaster Staithe, boats run to Scolt Head Island, also a bird sanctuary and nature reserve. Bustling Burnham Market is a 5-minute drive and offers a unique mix of boutique and antique shops and relaxed places to eat. Holkham’s beach, where parts of ‘Shakespeare in Love’ were filmed, is a 10-minute drive. A little further along is Wells-next-the-Sea, a popular fishing village renowned for its fresh seafood and quayside, full of colourful boats. No longer by the sea, it now stands on a creek, with a 1-mile walk along the embankment or a short ride on the miniature steam train that takes you to the excellent sandy beach. Further along the coast are the seal colonies at Blakeney Point. Less than half an hour’s drive is the Victorian seaside town of Hunstanton, with its unusual striped cliffs towering over 60 feet high, behind is the sandy beach full of rock pools at low tide.
The town boasts a Sea Life Centre, funfair, indoor swimming pool and a cliff-top golf course. There are many stately homes to visit, including Holkham Hall, a fine Palladian mansion overlooking Holkham beach, Houghton Hall and the Royal Sandringham Estate and museum. After a day spent exploring all that the area has to offer, return to stunning Marsh Barn and enjoy an evening of relaxation in beautiful comfort whilst planning the next adventure. Shops 3/4 mile.