Have yourself a very merry Christmas......

Why is it we know when Christmas is every year, the date doesn't change, but it always creeps up on you?
Here we are on the 20th December, the shortest day is tomorrow and we'll be welcoming back some familiar faces and new faces to our cottages this weekend and next, for their Christmas and New Year break in Nidderdale, Yorkshire.
This time of year is when I prepare myself mentally and physically for the year ahead.  Historically it's just after Christmas when people plan and book their summer break or perhaps book a last minute break to recover from the busy Christmas holidays.  In previous years, running a self catering business was just 'seasonal', now I am pleased to say it's all year round, and why not?!
Tim and I stayed in our cottages during December and enjoyed very much being in their company!  We lived liked a local and ate and drank in the local pubs, did our favourite walks and took some time out for ourselves, perfect.
Getting away, just for a few nights can really make all the difference.
What will 2013 bring?  Hopefully another busy and blessed year.  Filled with happy faces, tail wagging dogs and hopefully a little more sunshine! 
So wherever or whoever you are spending this Christmas with, be happy, merry and enjoy!

Best wishes to you and yours for a great Christmas and happy and healthy 2013.

Sarah, Tim and Riley x

A Special Welcome Back Gift for 2013 from Yorkshire Bolt Holes

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/A-Special-Welcome-Back-Gift-for-2013-.html?soid=1107401835225&aid=uExJLKQrejM

Hey strangers!  I know, I am so sorry for being a bit tardy about writing lately, I suppose from a business point of view it's great to be so busy I don't have the time to blog, but now that Christmas is fastly approaching and the maintainence jobs are nearly all done, it gives me a bit more time to write.

We've loved 2012, it's been so busy and we are very excited about 2013 and welcoming new and familiar faces to our cottages.

So if you fancy staying with us next year then why not book by next Friday 14th December 2013 and receive a rather special welcome hamper filled with delicious Yorkshire goodies.

Just our way of saying ' thank you'.

Best wishes

Sarah and Tim Manby

Escape to the Country this Autumn

Autumn in Yorkshire

Oranges, golds and the odd splash of red.

Log fires, country pubs, walks by the River Nidd.

Great local food.

Beer from Theakston and Black Sheep.

Come for a short break, Come for the week!

For our latest rates and dates then please visit

http://.www.yorkshireboltholes.com

See you soon,

Sarah, Tim and Riley x

Sunshine, Seagulls and Seashells!

The Manby's have been away again!  I know!  I feel rather embarrassed to tell you that both Tim and I are born and bred North Yorkshire folk and that it's taken us until now to experience the stunning North Yorkshire coast together!
We've recently returned from a long weekend based in the old village of Staithes - a picture postcard former fishing port which houses many quirky cottages and houses, a butcher, gift shops, gallery and two real ale dog friendly pubs!  The perfect recipe!
We walked along the stunning coast of Yorkshire from Staithes to Runswick Bay, the sun shone and Riley just had the best time as you can see below!
We also walked along the beach from Sandsend to Whitby (boy oh boy Whitby was busy, and it was on a Monday during school term too!)  We ate delicious fish and chips from the Magpies' takeaway, keeping one eye on the seagulls who were after our lunch and one on Riley who was also on the look out!
On our final day we went along to Robin Hoods Bay which is also a delight, and all this just over an hour from home and our cottages in Nidderdale!
So returned home, tanned and refreshed having thoroughly enjoyed our break together.
Have fun,
Sarah, Tim and Riley x

September Sunshine!

September, September how I love September!  I know, friends think I am crackers for loving the start of Autumn.  For me, it's the brighter, crisp mornings, dew on the grass, that nip in the air.  The trees turning and being able to light the log burner again!  I guess for me and our business, it's also a time for reflection.  How the year has gone, what we have achieved and remembering all the lovely people that we have welcomed to our cottages over the last few months.  We've had a fantastic year and have welcomed guests from all over the globe which is truly inspiring.  Why Yorkshire?  Why not?  We have so much to offer and the experience changes throughout the seasons.  From the lambs in the spring, to the green lush fields and purple moorland in the summer, to the amazing autumnal colours of our woodland and snow capped hills in the winter. 

For us, our business is all year round and unlike many other holiday cottages owners, we decided a few years ago now, to offer short breaks to our guests all the year round too.  It's great to get away, even for just a few days, to recharge and relax.  We also want to offer our guests a simple and fair pricing structure.  Why should you pay more to visit our cottages in July and August or at Christmas and New Year?  I find that all very old fashioned.  So when you stay at one of our cottages, there's one price for a weekend, one for a midweek stay and one for the week.  We hope you like our thinking and ethos as much as we do.

We've got a few improvement plans up our sleeves for the winter, so watch this space, you know I like to have a project on the go!

We recently had a quick break away on the Northumberland coast over the Bank Holiday.  Even the sun shone with time well spent on the beach, here's a piccie of Riley for you who loved his short break away with us. 

Have a fabulous month and Autumn, bring it on!

Best wishes

Sarah, Tim and Riley x

Yorkshire goes for Gold at the 2012 Olympics!

Well what do you know?  We knew that Yorkshire has created some stars in it's time; cracking scenery, down to earth locals, fantastic food and brilliant beer, and now we have created some amazing athletes too!  We should all be very proud, well done Yorkshire!
It's been truly spectacular watching the Olympics, hosted by us, Lord Coe, what a fab job you have done!
We loved the opening ceremony, with the beautiful cauldron that was designed from a shed in Harrogate, North Yorkshire no less! To the 'doves of peace' being crooned to by South Yorkshires' Artic Monkeys - boy we put on a great show! 
So here we are, at the beginning of August, the year is flying by and we have welcomed new faces as well as familiar ones.  Guests from overseas and guests from just down the road.  Honeymooners to hikers, couples to cyclists, the mix is varied and I love to meet everyone of you.
We are busy until October so if you fancy a relaxing short break in the Autumn, a wonderful time to visit the Yorkshire Dales, then do get in touch soon.  We offer weekend, midweek or weekly stays, all the year round from just £250.
We've just welcomed our local inspector from Sawdays who came to re-visit us at Ashknott Cottage, Kirkby Malzeard recently, will look forward to reading their report very soon.
We've been hitting the internet headlines too!  The Independent travel section featured Bewerley Hall Cottage recently in their 'Top 50 Best Places to stay in Britain' and just yesterday, 'Cool Places' have featured us in their guide to the Yorkshire Dales.  We might not have won a gold medal but we are pretty chuffed to say the least!
So for those of you taking a break yourselves over the next few weeks, enjoy, relax and take a moment to feel proud of where you come from, I certainly do!
Best
Sarah x

It's Showtime in Harrogate!

Hello everybody!
Just come back from a long walk with Riley and the preparations are gearing up down at the showground for the 'Great Yorkshire Show'.  It comes around every year and historically was when the local farmers from across the County get together, to show off their livestock and to let their hair down!  That still goes on and a bit of business is done too around the Members tent!  The food hall and cookery demos are a big hit with visitors as are the various trade stands, fashion shows and rural craft tent.  It's next week so if you fancy a visit you can buy your tickets at http://www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/
So what have we been up to?  Well..... our latest improvements have now been completed at Ashknott Cottage and Bewerley Hall holiday cottages.  The photos have been taken and the websites updated, to take a peek please visit http://www.yorkshireboltholes.com/ and visit our Facebook page to let us know what you think!
We have welcomed lots of returning guests recently, which is just the icing on the cake for Tim and I.  Speaking of cakes, am getting a few requests for the homemade lemon drizzle cake recipe that I make to welcome our guests with.  Am going to post it onto our Facebook page later today.  It's dead easy and truly delicious!
Both cottages are busy now until late Summer, to view our latest availability please check out our websites at Ashknott Cottage http://www.ashknottcottage.com/ and Bewerley Hall Cottage http://www.cottageinbewerley.com/.
We are also accepting bookings for 2013 and are guaranteeing that our prices will remain the same for next year when you book by 31st December 2012.
We are looking forward to the start of the Olympics and enjoyed the torch procession through the streets of Harrogate recently, cannot believe it's nearly here!
Well take care folks,
See you soon,
Best

Sarah, Tim and Riley x