-
6 Guests
-
3 Bedrooms
-
2 Bathrooms
-
Pets Yes
Features
- Open fire
- Garden / Patio
- Dishwasher
- Broadband / WiFi
Reviews & Ratings
58 Customer Reviews
-
"The cottage was beautiful."
It was cosy & comfortable & really well furnished. The area was pretty with walks close by & Richmond just a short drive away. The only negative & it’s a big one - the entry time at 17:00 & exit time at 10:00 is ridiculous. Sykes need to seriously consider easing these times.
-
"The name of the house "Duck" is not to do with the bird but to do with ducking under something!"
in this case the back door out into the wonderful cute garden! REALLY REALLY REALLY great place and location. ABSOLUTELY loved it and was just right for 3 people who needed their own rooms! Was slightly put off with the downstairs toilet being right in the entrance way and the kitchen not connecting with the dining room directly - you had to go through the sitting room into the dining room. Only two minus points! Other than that WOW ...felt like it had only been newly furnished last week! Upstairs the bedrooms were great en suite in one case and the other two shared a wonderful spacious bathroom. Want some mats in the shower though or something to hold on to! And loved the warm towels even in summer!!! Would love some original pictures on the walls of the area or further afield. Something to go in search of! The local "pub" was a bit of a disappointment - more a bar so designated driver a must in order to go in search of a good place to nosh and wet the whistle. CERTAINLY would like to stay there again!
-
"Beautiful cosy cottage nestled in a lovely quiet backwater of Melsonby."
Duck Cottage was so well equipped and every comfort of home was there, including very comfortable beds where we all slept so well. The garden was the best garden we’ve ever had over many years of cottage booking. Very well established and so well cared for. Our little spaniel loved it. All in all a perfect stay - but be aware it’s called Duck Cottage for good reason. Husband still has the lump on his head to prove it.
-
"This is a delightful well restored and well maintained cottage."
Facilities are excellent and exactly as described, the welcome pack was a pleasant surprise. The garden is complete enclosed, so our two small dogs could wander safely. The heating is efficient and makes the house very comfortable. A small issue with the dishwasher which was resolved quickly by our hosts, who kept in touch and this was really appreciated. The village is very friendly, especially the local pub and the surrounding area is beautiful with walks, waterfalls and plenty of other attractions/ Strongly recommended, we hope to visit again soon.
-
"The dishwasher was broken, but everything else was fantastic"
-
"A cosy cottage in a beautiful area of Yorkshire."
Very nicely furnished and well equipped for a comfortable stay.
-
"Duck Cottage has been beautifully renovated and decorated."
The kitchen is well equipped and we appreciated the provision of dishwasher tablets and washing up liquid. I was somewhat concerned by the idea of electric heaters (after a negative experience in a previous holiday rental home), however the house was very warm - we didn't need to switch the heaters on upstairs and often turned them down downstairs! We didn't use the wood burning stove as the cottage was so cosy without it. The doorways within the house reflect it's age - I think this adds to the charm, but you will have to remember to duck if you're tall! The road in front of the house is narrow and parking is right outside. Lots to do and see in the area including a number of waterfalls (our favourite!) within an hours drive. Overall we would highly recommend this as a holiday rental.
-
"The cottage has been beautifully restored and decorated."
The three bedrooms are all of a good size as was the bathroom and en-suite, however there really wasn’t enough room downstairs for 6 adults and the kitchen was really only large enough for one person to cook/clear up etc. I would certainly recommend this cottage, but maybe only for a maximum of 4 adults.
-
"Duck Cottage is a lovely cozy place to stay."
There are very steep steps up to the garden which our older dog and members of our party found a little difficult. The Cottage is easy to find and is very well equipped. We got a lovely welcome message from the owners on our first night and the welcome pack wad a lovely touch. Really enjoyed our stay
-
"Gorgeous cottage, very well equipped and exceptionally clean."
It's in a lovely village in the Dale's and very accessible as just minutes off the A66. Would definitely book again. Parking is bit of an issue as very narrow lane but there is space one road over and cars visible from the cottage so not a big challenge. Richmond really close and lovely market town worth a visit.
-
"Our main issue was the very late check in time."
I do not know if this a Sykes or Owner mandated time. Pre COVID it was always 1500, then 1600 due to longer cleaning times and now 1700. In winter this is way too late. It's dark, the key pad is unlit and there is insufficient time to go out and get anything essential if needed. Other than that, the cottage was absolutely fine and just as described. A minor observation is that there was only one hand soap in the kitchen and none in the 3 bathrooms. But there was washing up liquid and dish washer tablets, so overall it was OK. We had a minor issue with the washing machine which the owner swiftly fixed - someone had turned off a second water flow tap! We would definitely recommend this cottage and rent again when we next need a week in Melsonby.
-
"The main bathroom shower was very weak flow and the toilet flush so ..."
The main bathroom shower was very weak flow and the toilet flush so temperamental we couldn’t use it which was a problem at night , also the skylight next to the toilet leaked rain +++ during a storm Very well equipped kitchen however having a power cut due to a storm a torch / tea light or candle would have been very useful Very comfortable and warm cottage otherwise Shame the pub didn’t do food as it was lovely and friendly
-
"Had a wonderful time at duck cottage."
Really comfortable and we'll presented. Black bull pub just a short walk is brilliant Neil really looked after us. Richmond town is well worth a visit and castle to would definitely return.
-
"A splendid little cottage with all facilities."
-
"Really lovely, comfortable cottage with nice outdoor space that worked well with the dogs."
One of the best equipped cottage’s we’ve stayed in. The only negatives is that the dining room felt too cramped to really use and the tumble drier was a bit weird. Would definitely recommend this cottage to others - we had a lovely relaxing break.
-
"We have stayed in quite a few cottages and this one was one of the best we have stayed in, it had everything you could wish for to make your stay as comfortable as possible and is a credit to the owners."
-
"The property was great really enjoyed the cottage and our stay."
The main toilet caused our disabled son some issues as the flushing mechanism was faulty but apart from that our stay was great and we would recommend it to future customers.
-
"A beautiful cottage, very comfy and cosy."
Well equipped and with lovely outdoor space. Surrounded by picturesque countryside and interesting villages.
-
"Beautiful cottage and extremely comfortable."
Village is peaceful and friendly locals. Welcome pack was well thought about and included treats for our dogs. We would love to return one day and highly recommend to others.
-
"Beautiful cosy cottage with lots of character."
Very well equipped and furnished. Great place to stay with our small dog. It wasn’t the right time of year to fully enjoy the outdoor areas but well appointed too. Generous welcome pack of groceries and wine. Lock box makes arrival and leaving very easy. Well positioned for some lovely days out in Yorkshire and County Durham
-
"Lovely cosy cottage with all facilities available, very comfortable and clean."
The welcome pack was great even included dog chews.
-
"Delightful cottage: warm, cosy, comfortable and well equipped."
Very pleased to receive the wonderful welcome pack. Prompt and friendly help from owner John when we had a minor problem. We really enjoyed our stay.
-
"A lovely cottage in a fab location."
Small issues for us are the cleanliness of the furniture and general smell of “dogs”. Carpets and settees needed a thorough deep clean. Overall good but could be fantastic.
-
"We had a wonderful time, the locals and the area were so welcoming and friendly."
The cottage itself was beautiful although for 4 adults 2 children and 2 dogs it was a bit of a squeeze. Not much room for footwear in the winter months, enough for 1 pair per person however at this time of year you need to be prepared for the elements. it's been a lovely week, we would certainly return although this would likely be as a smaller group. A perfectly relaxing week, home from home with no hassle. X
-
"Thank you for our stay at Duck Cottage."
It is a really comfy and homely cottage, which was perfect for our short stay with our dogs. The garden was safe - it was a shame we didn’t stay longer so we could make the most of the outside facilities too. We will certainly recommend Duck cottage to friends.
-
"Lovely cottage clean and very cosy people around were very friendly the welcome ..."
Lovely cottage clean and very cosy people around were very friendly the welcome pack was really appreciated would recommend it to all our friends
-
"Lovely cottage."
Outside area was great but we weren't able to use it as much as we'd like because of the weather. Our dog really liked the garden. Comfortable and can't really think of anything that was lacking. Low beams as always in a cottage but warnings in the welcome pack restricted hitting door frames too often! Good location for getting out to other parts of Yorkshire. A guide to more local dog walks would have been helpful
-
"A beautiful cottage in a lovely, friendly village."
The cottage had everything we needed and more!! It was of the highest quality and standard and was an ideal base for exploring. After a busy day out it was lovely to come back and relax in such a gorgeous cottage.
-
"Beautiful Cottage, wonderfully equipped and stylishly furnished."
Excellent base for touring both the Dales and the Moors. HIGHLY recommended!
-
"We thought Duck cottage was lovely…very peaceful and with a beautiful secure garden which is hard to find in holiday lets for small dogs."
That made a big difference and would encourage me to book the property again. The cottage was very clean and well finished with lovely character features. The owners replied to any queries we had very quickly. Overall we really enjoyed our time and I’d recommend it to anyone. If asked for any slight negatives, no cleaning cloths were provided to wipe surfaces and we forgot to pick these up in the local supermarket. I also thought it was unusual to be asked to strip the beds before we left. We’ve never had to do that in holiday cottages before and it was just an extra thing to do whilst trying to get packed up. These are just small things though. Overall its a beautiful property in a very peaceful and picturesque village and we hope to return.
-
"This was a beautiful cottage in a lovely, peaceful village."
The cottage had everything we needed, and more, and provided the perfect place for us to base ourselves in whilst exploring the area. Overall, the cottage was beautifully clean and comfortable; however I did give the microwave a quick once over before I was happy to use it and the pot provided in the main bathroom to keep toothbrushes in had some stale water in the bottom so I just moved it out of the way.
-
"Although sleeping accommodation was fine for 6 people, it would have been a squash for 6 adults to comfortably sit in the living room."
A lovely cottage and great contact with the owners. Well positioned to visit numerous attractions and towns in the area. A very friendly village. It would have been really helpful to have an ordnance survey map of the area to help with finding foot path routes for the dog walk.
-
"Fantastic cottage."
Very clean. Very well appointed. Could not fault it.
-
"The cottage exceeded our expectations."
It was comfortable, well equipped and had plenty of space. The garden was really attractive and provided a secluded, relaxing place to enjoy the sunshine and birdsong.
-
"Best cottage we have ever stayed in, has everything you could possibly need, the welcome pack is such a lovely idea."
The cottage has been renovated to a fantastic standard, didn't want to leave. Would highly recommend and would definately love to stay again.
-
"We were very happy with our stay at Duck cottage."
The cottage was very comfortable and had everything that we needed including a lovely welcome pack which included a bottle of wine which was very enjoyable. The village was lovely and there was a pub within a few hundred metres of the cottage. Would certainly recommend Duck cottage.
-
"Lovely cottage in a lovely village, handy for touring around Yorkshire or just chilling out ."
Only downside was the narrow road outside the cottage. I have a small car , was parked up on the gravel off road and still got my car dented and scratched along the wheel arch and door by someone squeezing past.Not that they let me know . Just be careful of this and maybe park along at end of road .
-
"We had a little problem with a water leek , the owner was quick to sort it , it was no one fault just one of those things."
Cottage was lovley
-
"The property had wood worm the beams in bedroom was dropping wood on to us in ..."
The property had wood worm the beams in bedroom was dropping wood on to us in bed meaning we had to sleep on the sofa the out building seats were moldey heater didn’t work wasn’t clean to our standard on arrival then after leaving accused of smoking in the property which is absolutely rubbish because we had candles they assume we were smoking we would not recommend anyone after this
Thankyou for your feedback and we are sorry that you felt inclined to post this after staying in Duck Cottage. We hope that anyone reading this will make their own judgement based on the overall feedback on the quality of Duck Cottage. We want ALL of our guests to enjoy their stay at this property and request NO SMOKING to avoid the unpleasant and VERY distinctive stale odour which remains and can spoil the experience for future guests. The house is a Grade 2 listed property. All the wood beams have been treated and retained to keep the character of the property which we know many guests have enjoyed and hope many more will continue to enjoy. In relation to the infra-red heater in the external den, we have checked and this is working fine. It is an external covered area which is expected to be used more to enjoy long summer evenings rather than in the middle of winter. Property Owner
-
"Duck Cottage is absolutely beautiful and we had a lovely stay."
The owners were super quick at communication and nothing was too much trouble. We would love to stay again.
-
"Such an amazing cottage, very clean, well equipped, great location ( the lane it’s on is a bit tight tho) the outside chill out barn is fantastic, heating in there too."
Bedrooms are roomy, en suite lovely, bathroom very roomy
-
"Lovely cottage."
One of the best we have stayed in. Renovated to high standard. Warm and cozy. We had a great time, walked almost everyday in the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Loved the Fish and Chip van on the Thursday evening. Loved the outdoor space as did our Labrador puppy. We will definitely return to Duck Cottage soon.
-
"High spec cottage."
Very comfortable. In a lovely village with easy access to main roads and Richmond.
-
"Beautiful cottage, very clean and comfortable, had everything we needed."
Welcome pack was a nice touch. Would definitely stay here again.
-
"Great cottage,Dog safe lovely little village."
Only Downside had to travel to get to any restaurants and shops across A66.Nice friendly pub in the Village but no food .
-
"Lovely house, brilliant pub."
So friendly and nice. Really nice dog walks through the fields.
-
"Lovely stay in this cottage - although as the name suggests a few bumps on the head due to the low door height."
Comfy beds and good quality towels. Plenty of equipment in the kitchen and the wine cooler came in handy. Outdoor space super, although we did keep our dog on his lead due to being able to get onto the outdoor shed roof. Village very friendly and a lovely park for the kids.
-
"Best cottage we have stayed in ideally situated in a pretty village easy to ..."
Best cottage we have stayed in ideally situated in a pretty village easy to access all areas of the dalesand moors beautiful ateaysprvyaculst scenery
-
"Duck Cottage has been renovated to an extremely high standard & was cleaned thoroughly before our arrival."
Comfortable beds & sofas and all crockery & utensils thought of. Melsonby is an ideal base for exploring the area. The parking in front of the house is okay as long as you pull in as close to the property as possible or you’ll block the road for other residents. The local pub, The Black Bull is a nice place & the locals are really friendly.
-
"You listed King Size Bed with en-suite which is one of the reasons i booked the cottage, we ended up with small double bed with en-suite."
My family are tall and ended up hitting their heads on small doorways and openings constantly throughout the stay, this should have been in description. No shops nearby, had to travel across busy roads to shops. Will not be visiting Melonsby again.
-
"The cottage is beautiful, the village is friendly, the local pub is the cleanest i have ever seen."
Lovely area lovely people, cant wait to go back.
-
"Beautifully renovated and comfortable cottage in a quiet village with easy access to Richmond, Barnard Castle and the coast."
-
"This was a great cottage."
A local shop would have added to it but know the circumstances of that. Lovely area and could not fault
-
"Duck cottage was so lovely!"
The whole house was beautifully decorated and furnished. Comfortable sofas in the living room and spacious. Well equipped kitchen, with a lovely welcoming hamper, and even butter and milk in the fridge. Such a lovely touch. Also doggy treats and a dog bed, bowls and food mat where provided. Spacious dinning room. All bedrooms where beautifully furnished and very comfortable beds, with plenty of pillows. The bathroom was very nice, with a lovely large shower and slipper bath. Lovely garden, especially good for dogs, secure and plenty of room. The summer house was nice to relax in, with a heater and comfy seating. Everything was spotless and we felt very welcome. If you are looking for a relaxing break in a comfortable, stylish cottage, then Duck cottage is perfect for you. Highly recommend, and would definetly stay here again.
-
"Wow what an amazing cottage!"
Totally exceeded our expectations and the welcome basket was a lovely touch. The cottage was spotless, very cosy and our dog loved zoomies in the beautiful garden. We did some great walks in the area and Richmond was a lovely day out. We will 100% return later this year. Thank you!
-
"The Cottage was simply stunning and I could live in it!"
Home comforts with a little welcome pack was wonderful plus the village was so quiet and all residents very friendly. I would book again in this stunning and homely cottage.
-
"Best cottage we have ever stayed in, so cosy and had everything you needed!"
-
"Fantastic place better than we ever expected."
The black bull pub well worth a visit loads of places to visit not to far away. Dog friendly nearly every where we went too
Summary
- Three bedrooms: 1 x King-size, 1 x double with en-suite shower room and 1 x twin
- Bathroom with roll top bath, walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
- Downstairs cloakroom with WC and Basin
- Kitchen
- Dining room
- Sitting room with woodburning stove
- Electric heating with woodburning stove
- Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, wine cooler, TV and WiFi
- Fuel and power inc. in rent (excluding electric car charging)
- Starter kit for woodburning stove inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
- 1 x Roadside parking outside house, addition parking available nearby
- Electric car charging point available by arrangement and at extra charge
- Enclosed rear courtyard with seating, huge stone shed with seating, secure bike storage and steps up to elevated lawn
- Two well behaved dogs welcome
- Sorry, no smoking
- Shop 1.6 miles, pub 0.1 miles
- Travel cot available on request, Note: property does not accept hen, stag or similar parties
- Property has a minimum of a 3 night stay
The property
This charming, newly renovated, Grade II listed, terraced cottage rests in the village of Melsonby and is within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines, Lake District and Nidderdale AONB.
Duck Cottage is a fantastic blend of character features and contemporary styling, offering a delightful holiday home for a family or group of six (note, one room is small with 2 single beds which may be tight for 2 adults).
The location is ideal for those wanting to explore the outstanding countryside and host of attractions that are easily accessible from the property.
Step into the stone cottage's entrance hall, where you will find a convenient cloakroom, and head towards the homely sitting room, with character wooden beams, soft grey carpets, lovely wooden doors, a choice of sofas and an armchair to relax onto while enjoying watching a film on the TV, while the charming woodburning stove heats up the room and adds to the cosy feel of the space.
The dining room offers a dining table with a mix of chairs and a charming corner church pew, comfortably seating the whole group and offering an ideal space to enjoy meals and discuss plans for the remainder of your stay, as well as a charming stable door that opens up onto the courtyard garden.
The contemporary kitchen is fully-equipped with all of the necessary appliances to support your culinary requirements, and even offers a wine cooler, so you can chill a bottle of fizz and celebrate in style of an evening.Upstairs is a spacious king-sized bedroom, with another spacious and comfortable double bedroom, both with ample storage space.
The third bedroom is a small twin room ideal for children.
with All rooms have exposed wooden beamed ceilings and are full of character.
The double bedroom offers a convenient en-suite shower room and the remaining bedrooms are served by the stylish family bathroom, with elegant roll top bath and separate walk-in shower.Outside, you will find roadside parking for one car, while to the rear of the property, you will discover a large courtyard garden with a stone shed providing an alternative covered seating area.
This also contains the washing machine and enough storage for bikes.
There is an additional elevated garden accessed up a set of steps, providing plenty of space to stretch your legs and enjoy your tranquil setting.
The cottage is in the heart of Melsonby village, with a lovely real ale pub and old church, as well as footpaths and bridleways in every direction and fishing facilities.
The market town of Richmond is under six miles away, situated along the River Swale, with its elevated castle offering panoramic river views, a waterfall, The Green Howards Museum and the ancient woodlands of the National Trust's Hudswell Woods, on the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Explore the unspoilt countryside, diverse wildlife habitats, scenic dales and quaint villages of the national park, as well as the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark, a stunning nature reserve and picturesque landscape of heather-clad moorland, woodland, dales and peatlands, with attractions such as the 14th century Raby Castle and walking and cycling trails at Hamsterley Forest.
Locally, there are many biking trails, some of which are covered in the Tour de Yoorkshire.
You are within driving distance of the Lake District national Park, as well as the North York Moors and North Yorkshire Coast, while the Nidderdale AONB is within easy reach.
Duck Cottage is well-placed for discovering incredible scenic countryside in the surrounding national parks and AONBs.
Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £250.
About the location
MELSONBY
Richmond 6 miles.
The attractive and peaceful Dales village of Melsonby is situated in lovely rolling countryside, just a few miles to the north of the popular market town of Richmond. The village itself has a lovely old church, a real ale pub. There are two pubs serving food in nearby Gilling West and a further pub in Middleton Tyas.. There are footpaths and bridleways in every direction and fishing is available nearby. Nearby Richmond grew up around its castle set high above the River Swale with panoramic river views. Within Richmond, narrow streets and alleys radiate from the cobbled Market Place (which has a weekly market and monthly farmers’ market) and there are numerous pubs and restaurants to enjoy. The Georgian Theatre is one of the oldest surviving theatres in the country with visitors enjoying its regular productions all year round. An ideal location for exploring all of Swaledale, Teesdale and the Yorkshire Dales.
This property offers the following short breaks:
- Winter
- Off-season
- Last minute