A Wonderful Weekend Away At Unique Home Escapes’ The Coach House and Stables

Moving back to Yorkshire from Berkshire has meant lots of change for our little family but one thing that has remained a constant is our love of the countryside, and returning home has meant being able to revisit beautiful spots in my home county far more easily now- the magnificent Cathedral city of Ripon, recently, a case in point.

We utterly adored whiling away a glorious long weekend away (and celebrating Greek Orthodox Easter) in the lavish surrroundings of our friends Ali and James’ exquisite Grade 2 listed and extended homestay The Coach House and The Stables in the heart of Ripon, which is not only gaspingly gorgeous but is also steeped in history and stories of bygone years.

My kind of place.

So, welcome to my crib…I wish! Unsurprisingly, I didn’t want to leave!

Now, without further ado, come and take a tour with me…You’llquickly discover you won’t want to leave, either…

A sun trap of a property, we were surprisingly blessed with brilliant sunshine all weekend long, avoiding the usual April showers of the season.

And what a ray of sunshine The Coach House and Stables are.

Boasting five dreamy double bedrooms with superking beds and private boutique ensuite bathrooms no less (two of the bedrooms downstairs can become twin beds on request- they’re perfect for older kids) made for the most relaxing and restorative stay. My parents joined us and stayed an extra night they loved it so much.

I told you it was hard to leave.

I mean isn’t it the most Pinterest-worthy home you’ve ever seen?

Look at those exposed beams. It’s true love from me!

Just the most joyful decor for the most spectacular homestay.

The interior has been thoughtfully and carefully designed by Ali and James, merging modern luxury with classic country chic, retaining its original character whilst creating a welcoming, spacious open-plan home bursting with pops of vibrant colours in every room.

From the artwork, beds’ headstands, glossy-hued tiling to the marble ensuites and original exposed brickwork, this property is utterly unique and original making it the perfect spot to celebrate a special occassion or simply to treat yourself and unwind amongst great beauty.

It’s my dream home without a doubt: it’s design, functionality and colour scheme is absolutely mine (and my artistic mother’s) taste to a tee. An Instagrammer’s delight.

 

Now let’s pop back downstairs for a quick peep at the expansive double kitchens, dining room and bedrooms before we hop into the hot tub….

Swoon!

  

Perfect for family feasting, indoors or out, we strolled to the local Sainsburies and greengrocers an 8 minute walk away and filled up the fridge and pantry so we could cook and dine with ease.

We tried to keep Florence’s routine whilst we were away and being able to access our own Netflix account on the TV meant she could watch In The Night Garden before bed as she always does, making for a smooth night of shut-eye.

It’s details like these which might seem small and inconsequential but really make the Coach House and Stables feel like a home-from-home.

We all sat on the mammoth sofa to watch TV together and hung out there the next day for Florence’s nap time.

I love that mine and Florence’s dresses unintentionally matched the decor! Everything I packed matched the interior design!

Now, make notes my decor obsessed-friends (I know, I am), the designer fabrics and soft furnishings are from Kit Kemp and the bathrooms are bespoke Bagno Designs. Breathtaking.

Now, while the homestay is the height of luxury and felt synonymous with seven star accomodation let alone five, the real magic is the positive energy of the place.

It’s immediately obvious the property has been imbued with love and good vibes by Ali and James, and their entire family. Having children of their own, they both totally understand what others look for in a homestay: luxury, functionality and utter tranquility.

Oh, and biscuits!

Ali and James kindly left us a basket full of local ginger biscuits, bags of coffee and bottles of sparkling water, as well as wine in the cellar and champagne in the fridge. Superstars!

And, there’s a second kitchen too, if you like the kids out from under your feet whilst you cook like I do!

The homestay can be divided and rented out in two separate parts too if you prefer/ are attending as a smaller party.

Delightful.

Now let’s head outside.

Overlooking open countryside with nothing but the sound of birdsong in the air, makes it impossible not to relax, even with a toddler in tow!

Especially when your toddler loves the great outdoors as much as you do!

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Florence’s favourite game was ‘Spot the Bunny’-perfect for Greek Easter as we watched in wonder as the cutest baby bunnies scuttled through the acres enveloping us before we collectively inhaled dairy-free (Flo is allergic to dairy and egg) Easter eggs we picked up locally!

We also relished many a dip in the huge hot tub on the patio, surrounded by forest.

Chocolate, forest therapy and the heat of the hot tub. Heaven.

This has confirmed we’re installing a hot tub in the garden (as soon as we find a house to buy in Yorkshire).

Even Florence couldn’t resist a quick splash!

The kids rotated between the tub, table tennis, football and playing Hide and Seek before the sun went down. The older two almost forgot they even had phones with them!

Our highlight undoubtedly was dining al fresco with Ali, James and their wonderful family on the Saturday evening, sharing stories, laughing loudly together and simply enjoying one another’s company.

James and I discovered we attended the same Prep school once upon a time, and his lovely Dad was at the same school as my brother (years earlier)! What a small world it is up North!

Aww, what a dreamboat of a getaway!

Excitingly, you can win a 3 night stay at the Coach House and Stables, housing up to 10 guests worth £3000 over on my Instagram handle, HERE.

Good luck!

You can also receive a 10% discount on any bookings confirmed before the end of June 2024 and taken before then.

Email the_mortimers@uniquehomeescapes.com quoting ‘HONESTMUM160423’.

 

To confirm, this is what you will find at the property:

• Free WiFi

• Free parking

• Spacious garden

• Seven minutes walk to nearest bus stop

• Ten minutes walk into Ripon

• Twenty minutes car journey to nearest train station

• Electric vehicle charging is available

I had to end with a night shot. Well done Peter for capturing the homestay in all its glory.

And thank you Ali and James for a truly unforgettable stay.

This was a gifted stay but all words are honest, as always.