Why Book a Yorkshire Holiday Cottage with Simply Owners
The short version is that we don't take a cut. When you book through Simply Owners, your money goes to the owner, not to a platform that clips 15% off every reservation. That tends to mean better prices, more flexibility on arrival days, and someone who'll actually answer when you ring about bringing a second dog.
We check every property before it goes live on the site, and our Payment Protection plan means your money is covered until you walk through the door. No anxious bank transfers into the void. No fingers crossed.
Booking a holiday cottage shouldn't involve hidden maths.
Where to Stay in Yorkshire
Yorkshire is England's largest historic county, and choosing where to stay is no simple task. Each part has its own climate, topography, and its own personality.
The Yorkshire Dales
Dry stone walls, river valleys, and that particular shade of green that only appears after the rain (so, most of the time). The Dales are for walking as the Pennine Way crosses through, and less-travelled paths follow the rivers along Swaledale, Wensleydale, and Ribblesdale. Settle has a market every Tuesday. Skipton has a castle built in 1090. Hawes has the Wensleydale Creamery, where the cheese is made and then eaten in generous quantities.
North York Moors
Almost 1,500 square kilometres of heather moorland that turns purple from the end of August. Old stone crosses mark ancient tracks across the hills. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs steam trains from Pickering to Whitby along a route scenic enough for Harry Potter's producers to come filming. Helmsley is handsome. Hutton-le-Hole has a stream running down its village green. Thornton-le-Dale is said to be Yorkshire's prettiest village, and nobody has come up with a convincing argument against it.
The Yorkshire Coast
Whitby has the abbey ruins on the headland, fishing boats in the harbour, and the sort of fish and chips you'd drive three hours for. Scarborough has two bays and castle ruins that have changed hands more often than most of us move house. Robin Hood's Bay has streets so narrow you'd struggle to fit a wheelbarrow through, and rock pools that keep children occupied for hours. South of there, Filey and Bridlington have larger, sandier beaches and are genuine seaside holiday territory.
York and Surrounds
A city continuously inhabited since the Romans arrived in 71 AD. It took 250 years to build the Minster. The Shambles is a medieval street of leaning timber buildings that now sells fudge and Harry Potter merchandise. Castle Howard sits twenty minutes north-east by car. Harrogate is half an hour west, all spa-town elegance and Betty's tea rooms.
East Yorkshire
The quieter section, Beverley has a medieval minster that would be famous if it were anywhere else. The chalk cliffs at Flamborough Head drop into the sea with a drama that catches people off guard. The RSPB's Bempton Cliffs reserve hosts more than 200,000 nesting seabirds between April and August and the noise alone is worth the visit.
West and South Yorkshire
Leeds, Sheffield, Hebden Bridge. Not the Yorkshire of biscuit-tin lids, but with independent restaurants, proper craft breweries, and the Peak District close at hand. Saltaire, the Victorian model village near Bradford built by Sir Titus Salt for his mill workers, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still looks pristine.
Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages in Yorkshire
If your dog could choose the county, it would be Yorkshire. Open moorland with no leads required, coastal paths that go on for miles, and country pubs where the dog gets a water bowl before you've even ordered.
Many of our Yorkshire holiday cottages welcome dogs. Simply use the dog-friendly filter when you browse, and look for properties with enclosed gardens if yours has a knack for finding gaps in hedgerows. Both the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales have walking routes straight from the cottage door. The six-mile cliff path between Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay is one of the best coastal walks in England.
Luxury and Budget Cottages in Yorkshire
One of Yorkshire's better qualities is that it doesn't force you to choose between character and affordability. A stone cottage in the upper Dales might cost less per night than a bland hotel room in the city, particularly if you're splitting between a group of friends or family.
At the higher end, there are converted barns with hot tubs sunk into the garden, Georgian farmhouses that sleep twelve, and coastal places with views that make you reconsider your entire living situation. Hot tubs have become almost standard for luxury Yorkshire cottages. Some come with pools, saunas, or games rooms too.
Because you're booking direct through Simply Owners, nobody has added a platform fee on top. The price you see is genuinely close to the price you'll pay.
Things to See and Do in Yorkshire
Historic sites: York Minster sits at the centre of a city that was ancient before the Normans arrived and you can climb the central tower for a view across the city's rooftops. Fountains Abbey near Ripon, a ruined Cistercian monastery set in water gardens designed 800 years apart, has UNESCO World Heritage status. Whitby Abbey, perched on the cliff above the harbour, is where Bram Stoker based the setting for Dracula.
Walking: The Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, covers 24 miles and three summits in a single day if you're up for it. The Cleveland Way runs 175 kilometres from Helmsley to Filey, following the moors and then the coast. For something gentler, the Swale Trail follows the river through Swaledale with barely any climbing.
Family days: The Forbidden Corner near Leyburn is a labyrinth of tunnels, strange sculptures, and hidden rooms that children remember years later. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway lets you ride behind a steam engine through the national park. Flamingo Land and the Yorkshire Wildlife Park cover the animal side of things.
Natural landmarks: Malham Cove is a curved limestone cliff with a pavement on top that featured in a certain wizard film. The Aysgarth Falls, three tiers of waterfalls on the River Ure. Brimham Rocks near Harrogate, where millstone grit has been carved by wind and rain into shapes that look deliberately absurd.
When to Visit Yorkshire
Summer (June–August): Warmest weather, longest days, around 20°C. The coast fills up during school holidays, . The heather on the moors starts blooming in late August, which is worth timing a visit around.
Spring (March–May): Daffodils in the Dales. Lambs in every field. Quieter paths. Temperatures between 8°C and 15°C, with rain still likely, so make sure to pack layers. The light this time of year is good for walking.
Autumn (September–November): The moors turn amber and bronze. Walking conditions are at their best as everything is cooler, clearer and there are fewer people on the paths. York hosts its chocolate festival in October. Some of the Dales villages hold agricultural shows.
Winter (December–February): Log fires and frost on the fells. York's Christmas market draws crowds. Cottage prices drop, and some owners offer shorter breaks. When the Dales get a snowfall, it is one of the best views in England.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best areas for holiday cottages in Yorkshire?
It depends on what you're after. The Yorkshire Dales are the best pick for walkers and anyone wanting countryside quiet. The Yorkshire Coast around Whitby, Scarborough, and Robin Hood's Bay works for seaside breaks. The North York Moors offer space with very few other people in it. York is the one for history, restaurants, and city-break convenience.
Are there dog-friendly holiday cottages in Yorkshire?
Yes, plenty. A good number of our Yorkshire cottages welcome dogs, and several have enclosed gardens. Both the Dales and the Moors have excellent walking from the door, and most coastal villages have dog-friendly stretches of beach, though check locally for seasonal restrictions.
How do I book a holiday cottage in Yorkshire with Simply Owners?
Browse our Yorkshire cottages, pick one you like, and send an enquiry direct to the owner. No booking fees. Our Payment Protection plan keeps your money covered until you arrive.
What is there to do in Yorkshire?
More than you'll fit into one holiday. Two national parks, a walled medieval city, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Fountains Abbey and Saltaire), 75 miles of coastline, steam railways, market towns, and enough country pubs to keep you occupied well into the next trip.
Browse all UK holiday cottages
England holiday cottages
Find Your Yorkshire Holiday Cottage
Yorkshire rewards the curiosity of walkers who follow the path past the guidebook recommendation, families who ask the owner which beach has the best rock pools, and couples who find the pub that doesn't appear on Google Maps yet. A holiday cottage is the right base for that kind of exploring: a kitchen, a garden gate, nobody else's checkout time to think about.
Browse our holiday cottages in Yorkshire and book direct with verified owners. No booking fees.. Just you, the owner, and a set of keys.
