A Weekend in Muker in the Yorkshire Dales

It was my Dad, George’s birthday on Friday so I wanted to arrange something a little bit special for the big man this weekend, and Gorgeous Cottages were just the company to call.

‘Hi Gorgeous Cottage, a picture-perfect cottage please’

‘Here you go’!

…Now, I’ve reviewed some of Gorgeous Cottages’ luxury cottages before, even taking my folks with us on another trip last Christmas, so I knew Bramble Bottom Cottage in the heart of Muker village in the Dales wouldn’t disappoint.

The view from behind our cottage. It’s like a Warburtons commercial isn’t it?!

We drove over on Friday evening, the kids oohing and aahing at sheep peering over gated fields as we veered along the winding roads towards the most picturesque village I think we’ve ever seen.

Oh and on the way, we squealed as a farmer Daddy appeared to be dropping his daughter off at a house on a main road in his tractor! Only in Yorkshire right?!

Marvellous Muker!

The cottage and when it comes cottages, I should state doesn’t limit their portfolio in any way as Gorgeous Cottages have literally everything from luxe one bedrooms to epic manor houses on their books-and we know this for sure as we stayed in a huge coach house fit for royalty not long ago, so they really do cater for all parties and tastes.

A photo of a photo- the view from the cottage takes pride of place above the fireplace-

 

Our cottage, Bramble Bottom above, (stop that, naughty ones at the back) was a towering cottage big enough for 10 (we were 4 adults and 2 kids) and although luxurious, it was welcoming too, a real home from home with high ceilings, mod con facilities, an open plan kitchen, huge grey sofas, an ornate oak dining table, and 5 beautiful bedrooms individually decorated, most with ensuites, and most importantly ALL including queen size beds you literally melt into the minute you dive in.

And we collectively had the best sleep we’ve had in ages in them! Dreamy. Literally.

A little bedroom tour-

How cute is this sheep themed room for the kids. Xander called it, ‘the baah baah room’!

So pretty, yes but the star of the show had to be the views which were just dizzyingly beautiful, with the windows in the lounge and bedrooms overlooking the picture-perfect Wuthering Heights style scenery.

My boy was captivated-

A room with a view

And another…

…Everything you could want and more was thought of at Bramble Bottom too from magazines for the kids on arrival to a welcome basket filled with tea, biscuits, cakes, prosecco and red wine, and local farm milk in the fridge too of course, and not forgetting treasure chests bursting with toys, books and boardgames for the little ones as well.

The perfect weekend family abode.

 

Gorgeous Cottages cater for families with children of all ages and Suzanne the owner of Bramble Bottom kindly phoned me before arrival to check if we needed cots or anything additional, with nothing being too much trouble (they can even get baby food supplies in and milk ready for you on arrival if you need it).

Suzanne, and her husband Chris also met us on arrival to show us around and help us settle in. A personal, thoughtful welcome which made for a relaxing start to the long weekend.

The cottage is nestled between wild flower meadows and a pretty church, surrounded by lush, green fields dotted with fluffy sheep as far as the eye can see.

Closeby runs the River Swale and glorious waterfalls, with the meadows of Swaledale beyond- all will simply take your breath away.

No phone signal is a blessing to be honest, particularly if you’re a blogger as it means fully switching off (there was wi-fi in the cottage), not being online was refreshing and something I try and do on weekends anyway, especially when away.

I love being completely in the moment and any photos I tend to share, happen long after the event. Present-parenting is crucial to me and this weekend was testament to that. Precious family time allowing us all to chill out and enjoy.

There were so many highlights from the weekend away but exploring the wildflower meadows with the kids was really special to me.

In fact we ran-free many times over the two days, by the river, across bridges, up hills and on cobbled streets, but I think the time the boys and just I had, while Peter and my folks cooked on afternoon, stands out the most.

The fields were doused in that crisp sunlight, as we slowly strolled uphill, both boys holding my hands, only stopping to pick buttercups and test the ‘do you like butter?’ experiment on one another (holding the flower below the chin-if it glows it signals the person does in fact like butter)- it’s safe to say we all do, or to simply take in the view and chuckle at the bleating sheep.

We discovered old tractors in desolate garages, collected pebbles on the pathway, and picked wild flowers while the sun warmed our cheeks.

A spot of Hide & Seek

I think whenever I feel stressed from here on now, I shall close my eyes and remember that day. Our happy place.

We also meandered across the hills with my folks and husband Peter too, most of these stunning photos are his (I sneaked a few in of my own). Do head over to his positively gorgeous photography site Yorkshire Camera for more.

The bond between my parents and their grandkids is quite something, I love how Peter captured the love between Papa G and Xander here. Two peas in a pod, never happier than in the countryside-

There’s nothing quite like open countryside to revive and calm.

Here we are again, off on an adventure…

Exquisite landscapes. Almost like oil paintings (well done Pete, I took a few too)…

More highlights, inevitably for this foodie family includes gorgeous traditional Yorkshire grub-

And boy was it delicious from gastro pub fare to the restaurant at the Wensleydale Creamery (a must-visit) and home cooked meals too of course, as we feasted on stews, fish and chips, grilled chicken in a Wensleydale roux, roast lamb, wholemeal scones, a variety of Yorkshire’s finest cheese and fruit pies too with lashings of custard just because.

It’s safe to say we enjoyed our food this weekend in the Dales!

Talk about filling your boots, hey! Thank goodness for all that walking!

The boys happily slurped extra custard at the Wensleydale Creamery!

And just in case we weren’t full enough, we purchased stacks of cheese from the shop there to take back to the cottage for later…

We even found a park in a neighbouring village that had a little fair on in the village hall where the boys bought notepads and set to drawing straight away.

And when we weren’t eating or exploring, we were relaxing, lounging on the comfy cottage sofas flitting between Disney films and Wimbledon and of course singing Happy Birthday (over and over) to Papa G with lots of chocolate cake for good measure.

…We really couldn’t have asked for a more idyllic setting to celebrate Dad’s birthday. I’m not sure I’ve felt more content or alive than in those rolling hills with all my favourite people. Total and utter bliss.

I returned home feeling renewed, a new woman, full of fresh air and a whole lot of cheese 😉

Thank you Gorgeous Cottages.

 

Boys wear clothes c/o me&i, mamas & papas and vertbaudet. I wear dress and cardigan c/o Joe Browns and Fever London.