Sitting down to a deliciously fruity strawberry daiquiri on a hot-pink armchair below a giant papier-mâché hare, we realised this wasn’t just any old B&B… Stow House sits at the end of a stone village in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, where rolling green hills stretch as far as the eye can see and waterfalls tumble and bubble over limestone steps.
Brilliant hosts Sarah and Phil left their creative careers in London to buy Stow House and have completely transformed it from its previous incarnation as a guest house: they knocked down walls, exposed beams and added a carefully selected mix of antiques, art and modern photography.
Rooms: Each of the 6 lovely rooms is named after the art that adorns its walls. You can expect huge beds with cloud-like duvets and quirky cushions, antique furniture, huge rainshowers (and maybe a gorgeous freestanding tub), robes and aromatic Neal’s Yard toiletries. We stayed in Love Birds, a first-floor room with a giant bed and a red chaise-longue which we elegantly draped ourselves over! The best tub-with-a-view was in Badger – you gaze out of the window at sheep bleating in the fields. Light-filled loft room Cowboy Balance was our favourite, with its cool blue-grey walls and in-room bathtub.
Food: Breakfast is served from 9-10am at wooden tables in the bright breakfast room. A table is laid out with juices, cereals, homemade granola, fresh fruit and yoghurt so you can help yourself while you choose which cooked items to have. Phil will rustle up eggs on homemade toast, tomato, mushrooms, black pudding, crispy bacon and seriously tasty sausages or any combo you desire. Tea and coffee are freshly brewed.
Author’s tip: If you want a giggle, take a look in the right ear of the giant papier-mâché hare in the guest lounge…
i-escape gift: a bottle of Prosecco during your stay