The Reading Rooms: A Guide to The Yorkshire Dales

Can the perfect holiday itinerary exist? We definitely think so.

Picture a sweet stone cottage in the heart of The Yorkshire Dales. Now, imagine that it borders a  babbling brook and is surrounded by green fields that are calling out to be strolled. If this sounds like your ideal setting, you will love the latest addition to Catch the Breeze Retreats: The Reading Rooms.

The Reading Rooms has two bedrooms, one bathroom, sleeps four guests and welcomes one dog over the age of one, the perfect holiday home for any couple or small family with children over the age of ten. But beyond the beautiful interior, the ancient walls contain the property’s rich history. The property was once an actual reading room (hence the name) during the 19th century. Reading rooms were places where people would congregate to educate, debate and elucidate in a time long before mass media and 24 hour news. We would love to know of the topics and people that would have been discussed here! We will leave you to discuss that during your next stay.

Planning the perfect holiday itinerary can be tricky. The clock’s ticking, your trip is approaching, and your agenda is yet to get past packing up the car. Well, you are in luck! The Reading Rooms can make for the ideal staycation, so much so that we have created the perfect week-long itinerary for you to use. We will even let you take all the glory when your family or friends ask how you got it so right. Read on to see what we mean.

Day One – Friday

The holiday begins! The Reading Rooms is your cosy home for the next seven nights. Start your holiday right with the pre-planned arrival of a grocery delivery so nobody needs to rush out to the local supermarket to collect supplies. Choose from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda or Morrisons to fuel your week and stock the newly fitted, modern kitchen ready to cook and prepare your wholesome meals.

You will no doubt spend this time unpacking, getting settled and exploring the property before relaxing into a peaceful night’s sleep ahead of the start of your adventure in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales.

Day Two – Saturday

When you rise and shine on your first morning in the tranquil Reading Rooms, why not take your morning coffee outside to the private patio where you can wake up to the sound of singing birds and the serenade of a splashing river. Once ready, you can set off on your first exhilarating walk of the trip.

There are fantastic walks from your very doorstep in Oughtershaw that offer rolling green fields and scenic countryside. From the seasoned hikers and the gentle strollers, there is no shortage of walks on offer. Take a look at Great Whernside to Kettlewell (moderate difficulty), Aysgarth Falls to Wensleydale (easy difficulty) and Malham Landscape Trail – Skipton (moderate difficulty) for some inspiration.

Or how about driving to the nearby village of Kettlewell (just nine miles away) where you will be spoiled for choice with some of the best walking routes in the Dales. There are beautiful walks along the scenic fells, or you can join The Dales Way footpath that passes through the village. Round off the walk with a delicious and hearty home-cooked pub meal at the cosy Bluebell Inn. For a lighter lunch, Kettlewell Village Stores offer a tasty menu of takeaway sandwiches, soups, teas and coffees.

Day Three – Sunday

Ah, Sunday. Or, better known as the weekly ‘take it slow’ day.

If relaxation and reset are what you are looking for, The Reading Rooms are the answer. Hibernate the day away in the properties’ snug with a good book and a hot tea. Or settle in for a movie day as you flick through what is on offer on the Smart TV.

If you are looking to take it easy but still want to explore the Dales, how about visiting the local waterfalls, Aysgarth Falls? For the film fans, you will recognise the Falls from the 1991 Kevin Costner film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Whether you are seeing them for the first time or you are lucky enough to have visited before, the Falls are set to be a holiday favourite. In fact, if you are a true movie buff there are many filming locations near The Reading Rooms and our other Yorkshire property, Oughtershaw Hall, that you and your party could visit. Read more in our blog ‘Star-studded Filma and TV Locations Near Our Properties’.

No visit to the Yorkshire Dales is complete without experiencing the true Yorkshire hospitality and great food on offer at The Wensleydale Heifer. Famous for its Sunday lunch, it is the perfect stop for lunch after a busy morning at the Falls or scoping out all the nearby filming locations.

Day Four – Monday

There is so much to love about The Reading Rooms, from the cosy interior to the magnificent views of the sprawling Yorkshire Dales. But one of our favourite parts is how central it is to such a wide variety of activities, attractions and locations. You are never too far from a scenic walk or a restaurant serving delicious meals.

For the foodies in your party, we have got two words for you: pie night. Complete your Monday at The Reading Rooms with a trip to The George Inn in Hubberholme just a 15 minute drive away where you will discover a selection of seven fabulous pies to choose from, including vegetarian and pescatarian options. They can also prepare gluten-free or vegan options with 48 hours notice, meaning the whole family can enjoy a scrumptious homemade pie. It is a popular choice amongst visitors and locals alike, so make sure you book to avoid missing out on their puff pastry perfection.

Day Five – Tuesday

If it is one-off experiences you are looking for, start your Tuesday with a 20 minute drive to the magical market town of Hawes, the highest town in the UK. Set 850 foot above sea level and with a waterfall running through the centre, it is sure to make your rapidly growing list of reasons to love The Yorkshire Dales. Every Tuesday you can enjoy the thriving local market day when visitors and locals can stock up on produce from the local farms and shops, making the Hawes market the perfect place to pick up something fresh and tasty for dinner. For a delicious treat, be sure to call at Cockett’s Bakery which first opened its doors in 1854. Now on its fifth generation of Cockett’s, the family-run business is known as the home of the traditional Cockett’s Fruitcake – it is rich, moist and packed with currants, sultanas and cherries, the best slice of indulgence.

Whilst in Hawes, you can also visit the Wensleydale Creamery, home of Wensleydale cheese, and learn about the fascinating story of the people who have lived, worked and shaped the landscape for thousands of years at the Dales Countryside Museum.  

Or if you fancy some more hiking, you can also visit England’s highest drop waterfall – Hardraw Force, with a reputed 100-foot drop, then take a break in the tearoom at the neighbouring Heritage centre.

The Reading Rooms, just like the bustling market in Hawes and the long-running Wensleydale Creamery, has a long and rich history held within its stone walls, making for a fascinating stay filled with unique experiences and curious tales. So whether you go afar or stay close to The Reading Rooms, you will always be sure to feel a part of the history itself.

Day Six – Wednesday

A sign of a good itinerary is allowing time for a rest day (or two) to recover from all the fun had so far. And after following our itinerary, you have certainly earned it – so why not take Wednesday to have a peaceful rest. Curl up with a good book in the snug, enjoy the garden overlooking the beck, play a board game, cook a delicious meal or you could even bake a cake in The Reading Rooms’ well-supplied kitchen. The Reading Rooms is the perfect home away from home with its luxuriously soft furnishings, modern facilities and grand yet cosy atmosphere – so make sure to have a well earnt rest day to recuperate and make the most of the beautiful Reading Rooms.

Day Seven – Thursday

The last full day of exploring is upon you! Make it one to remember with a trip to the picturesque town of Grassington, just 16 miles away from The Reading Rooms. Enjoy a serene walk around Grass Wood Nature Reserve which has a diverse range of plant and animal species to discover. Or experience the fresh air of The Dales and get off the beaten track on an electric bike which can take you across 40 to 50 miles of land with the easiest of peddling, perfect for if you want to make the most of your last full day and take in all the sights.

A busy, fun-filled day is made even better by knowing you have a comfy bed to cosy up in at the end of it. Sleep like royalty in the super-king beds that are dressed in Egyptian Cotton sheets and draped in luxurious Melin Tregwynt blankets. Be sure to set an alarm or risk snoozing through the next day in your state of pure bliss.

Day Eight – Friday

We are sure you will be reluctant to depart The Reading Rooms this morning, but before you say goodbye to the Yorkshire Dales, why not enjoy another walk following the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail? This is a 4 mile circular waterside walk that takes in some impressive cascades and you can even treat yourself to breakfast at The Falls Bar & Kitchen before you start, located at the entrance to Ingleton Waterfalls. Round off your trip with a visit to White Scar Cave, the longest show cave in Britain where you can book onto a tour.

There you have it! The perfect guide to The Reading Rooms to help you make the most of your week there. We are so excited to now be able to offer our guests this beautiful Yorkshire property and cannot wait for the house to be filled with masses of memories for our guests.

For further information on our properties and their availability all year round contact us on 01829 830 388 or email at info@catchthebreeze.co.uk. And do not forget to tag us in any pictures you may take and use the #MyCTBR, we love seeing your fabulous pictures and all the fun you have whilst staying with us in our properties.

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