Last weekend saw us pack up our bags and wrap up warm for two nights at Cowslip Cottage in the quaint village of Sleights, Yorkshire, one of lots of luxury cottages within the stunning Cottages portfolio.
Arriving on Friday evening to this picturesque cottage in the midst of the Yorkshire moors (lights and heating on for a warm welcome), it had everything we could ask for from a weekend vacation and more…
It certainly lived up its name…Gorgeous huh?!
A three story, converted former piggery (really), with high beams (originals), its style is sophisticated country elegant with hints of vintage.
We loved the thoughtful festive touches too…
Not just stunning from the inside, breathtaking views of the Yorkshire moors enveloped us from out with every window (and the balcony) looking out into the open countryside.
The quiet and tranquility appeared to roll over us from the hilltops, it was nearly hypnotic.
The best shots were taken during the day, with bright, clear skies and lots of light. We certainly lucked out with the weather on this weekend in December!
The kids felt quickly at home and we settled in quickly…The oat biscuits and abundance of cute teddies along with Peppa playing on the box, certainly helped!
So can we eat these yet?
Taking refuge in the pretty bedrooms on the higher floors, we all slept together despite the lots of rooms, falling fast asleep swiftly to the sound of nothing. absolute bliss.
More teddies in the kids’ room and a cot was available if we wanted it.
…A 10 minute drive from Whitby, we spent the following morning enjoying a sunny but crisp Saturday on the beach, drawing our names in the sand with terrific long sticks as dogs in the distance chased waves and we eventually could take the wind no more…
Cold but refreshing, playing on the beach was a joy, nothing like some Yorkshire sea air to invigorate the soul…
Oliver wrote his name in the sand. outside learning is the best. Practising your writing skills with a big stick and miles of sand…
Back in the Supa Firebird pushchair (we were gifted from Cosatto recently), it was time to make our way back to the cottage.
We passed this charming chap below, on the walk to the car-he spends his retired life raising money for multiple charities, entertaining passersby on the streets of Whitby and was a happiness to meet.
The kids took pleasure in singing along to Jingle Bells with him and Alexander was as you can see, a little partial to playing the maracas.
We donated some money and the kids were kindly given some delightful little illustrations of animals and instruments to remember him by…
…My boots are c/o Air & Grace London-it was a clashing leopard print kind of day!
Shake it!
Where did my maracas go?!
I know what’s going in Alexander’s stocking this year!
…Back at the cottage, my parents joined us for a late lunch, bearing food from one of their restaurants-spinach and feta filo pie, meatballs for the kids, basmati rice and Greek salad for all.
Mum had even made a healthy oat plum crumble that was was soon drizzled in lashings of Dad’s best homemade custard-‘no lumps please Papou’ pleaded Oliver…And there weren’t any!
The next day, the weather wasn’t so kind to us with blustery winds but we persevered and ventured out to Whitby again. Our first stop, The Magpie Cafe, a multi award winning restaurant that’s never not in the good Food Guide, for seafood hot pots and the best fish and chips for miles.
Tummies full, taking in the port, I picked up sweet art deco style jet earrings in a local boutique and woven Santa sacks for the kids in anticipation of daddy Christmas, special treats I’ve struggled to find elsewhere…
I even discovered decorative festive ribbon for Christmas tree biscuits in a indie store that homed rack after rack of ribbons and wool but alas no festive cookie cutters as hoped…
Whitby is like a living museum to bygone times, where people can potter around quirky shops full of fudge and homemade bread, a historically poignant place that inspired Captain Cooke to leave its shores and discover the world and Mary Shelley to create Frankenstein after a summer break there ….
Returning to Cowslip Cottage, settling in toasty and cosy as can be (heated floorboards are a charming touch), I made green and Blacks hot chocolate for all to enjoy.
Once daddy had emerged from a sweet, short nap (the whole family literally took it in turns to disco nap throughout our stay), together with Oliver and I, we conjured and squabbled over wheat complimentary Christmas biscuits and whose shapes were best.
Failing our earlier Christmas cookie cutter quest, daddy and I very carefully cut festive shapes out using a sharp knife (Dad made small abstract biscuits, I, stars and a Christmas tree and Oliver, a 3D snowman whom Alexander, frustratingly to his older brother, referred to as a penguin)…
I escaped the mess (sorry Dad) to take a long, soothing bath by the bay windowof the master bedroom overlooking the moors-a highlight of my stay- and then it was time to don festive onesies (for myself and the kids) before a one and a half hour drive home.
Sad to leave after such a restorative weekend away but delighted to have found Cowslip Cottage, a haven for families (and couples alike), whatever the time of year, we shall be back…
Thanks to stunning Cottages for a complimentary 2 night stay at Cowslip Cottage, in return for this sincere review.
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