Pet friendly holiday cottage, sleeps 6 - Bedale (3.5mls S), North Yorkshire

This characterful barn conversion lies in a quiet rural location just 3 miles from Bedale, one of North Yorkshire's many bustling market towns. Ideal for walkers, cyclists and nature lovers, this family-friendly barn features a large open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner, a small patio garden and easy access to Yorkshire's two national parks. The two-storey barn stands in the picturesque village of Snape, whose 15th-century castle was once the home of Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife.

The barn has been designed to offer homely creature comforts to visitors, its naturally lit interiors offering plenty of space to unwind surrounded by fresh colours and inviting soft furnishings. The ground floor is dominated by a large open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner, with comfortable sofas gradually feeding through to a smart dining area and across to a long kitchen with plenty of work surface space on either side. A plush double bedroom stands nearby, as does a shower room with underfloor heating.

A second double bedroom and a twin bedroom, both featuring plenty of storage space, are found on the first floor. The small patio garden accessible from the lounge offers a table and seating for al fresco dining. Snape's Grade I-listed, 15th-century castle, while closed to the public, is a huge talking point amongst visitors.

Find essentials in the village shop and a warm welcome in the nearby pub. Thirsk and Richmond (within 16 miles) offer a blend of cultural and historic attractions, while the Yorkshire Dales National Park and North York Moors National Park (within 20 miles) are popular with walkers, cyclists and nature lovers.