The Malt Kiln

Stone walls, exposed ceiling beams, and oak flooring run through the ground floor, and then the bi-fold windows open and the Yorkshire countryside pours in. The Malt Kiln is a barn conversion 2.6 miles from Harrogate, set among fields with Almscliffe Crag on the skyline. An en-suite for every bedroom means no morning queue and no compromise on space.

The open-plan living room is built around a stone fireplace with a working log burner. In winter, the underfloor heating takes the edge off while the flames do the rest. In summer, the bi-fold windows fold back completely and the line between indoors and outdoors disappears. Sheepskin and wool throws soften the sofas, and the whole place is immaculately kept.

The kitchen is the room that pulls everyone together. A large quartz island sits in the centre with enough space around it for people to hover, glass in hand, while someone takes charge of dinner. There is an electric range oven, a wine chiller that earns its place, and a dining table that seats all ten. Floor-to-ceiling windows behind the table open straight onto a private landscaped courtyard with a barbecue and seating.

Out in the courtyard, the sheltered cedar hot tub sits surrounded by gravel and planting. It is enclosed enough to feel private but open enough to catch the last of the light over the fields. On a cold evening, the log burner glows inside, the hot tub steams outside, and the pool table in between keeps the competitive ones busy.

Upstairs, four of the bedrooms have super-king beds that split into singles if you need them, plus one king. Two rooms have Juliet balconies and freestanding bathtubs positioned right by the window so you are lying in the bath looking out across open countryside. Every bathroom has a rain shower and designer fittings, every bedroom has its own Smart TV, and the linen throughout is the sort you notice.

Ellie meets you on arrival and is always on hand without hovering. There is a boot room for muddy walks, ample off-road parking, and EV charging if you need it. One well-behaved dog is welcome.

The pub is a ten-minute walk. The nearest shop is 1.5 miles away. Harrogate itself is 2.6 miles down the road, which puts Bettys tea rooms, the Valley Gardens, and the town's restaurants within easy reach without living in the middle of it all. The Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale start just west of the town, the North York Moors roll out to the east, and Fountains Abbey with Studley Royal Water Garden is about 12 miles north.