Bank Holiday Weekend

Why not grab a short break away this bank holiday weekend. We still have three cottages available:

Form Cottage, 3 nights from 24th August. £270
Formicary Cottage, 3 nights from 24th August. £270
Granary Cottage, 3 nights from 24th August. £459

Old Byland offer a friendly and informal atmosphere situated in the beautiful surroundings of Helmsley, North Yorkshire. Views from the six cottages are stunning and far reaching over the grazing sheep across the Yorkshire Moors. Friendly, affordable accommodation, Sally will welcome you with tea, homemade cakes & local paper.  To make a booking please visit our website www.valleyviewfarm.com or telephone 01439 798221.

Walking with your Dog in The North Yorkshire Moors

The North Yorkshire Moors is a beautiful place to explore by foot and can be enjoyed by your dogs too.  Follow these top tips to stay safe.

• Keep your dog on a short lead near any farm animals.  However, if cattle act aggressively it can be saver if you let it off the lead.
• Never let your dog chase animals.  A dog worrying lifestock can be legally shot.
• Between 1st March & 31st July rare birds nest on the ground in the moorlands and so it's important to keep your dog on a short lead at all times.
• In most moorland areas dogs must stay on rights of way, so they should heel or be kept on a lead at all times.
• Take special care to ensure no dog mess is left on paths or farmland.
• Always keep your dog on a lead near horse riders or cyclists.
• Signs may advise keeping your dog on a lead at sensitive times for wildlife and farm animals - look our for these.

If you want to enjoy a walking holiday then Valley View Farm offer the ideal spot and welcome all dogs and pets to the cottages.  We can even provide a dog sitting service or kennel should you also wish to enjoy a day out without your pet on your break.

To find out more visit www.valleyviewfarm.com or telephone 01439 798221.

Helmsley Castle to Rievaulx Abbey - By Foot.

Rievaulx Abbey is a lovely place to visit full of history and beauty.  Most visitors arrive by car, but did you know that there is also a popular walk between Helmsley Castle and the Abbey.

To find out more and for full details of the route visit the English Heritage website.

North Yorkshire is full of walks and opportunities to explore the countryside.   Our holiday cottages make the ideal base for exploration and it is even possible to take a lovely stroll from the front door.  We welcome all pets so your dogs can join your on your exploration.  To find out more visit www.valleyviewfarm.com

Cottages for Walkers & their Dogs.

There is nothing better than a walk on the North York Moors. Perfect for a gentle stroll or a more rigorous ramble.

Beauty spots I would recommend seeing include Sutton Bank, which is just on my doorstep, Roseberry Topping and the Cleveland hills to name a few.

The North York Moors offers a varied landscape featuring heather, sea cliffs, beaches and grassy dales.

If this wets your appetite for walking in the North York Moors then why book a stay at Valley View Farm Cottages.  We always welcome dogs even if you have more than one to bring with you, so you can enjoy the countryside walks with your pet.  We also have a kennel or dog sitting service so that you can still enjoy a day out somewhere without you pet.  Take a look at our facilities to see everything we have to offer.

If you would like to book a stay at one of the Valley View Farm holiday cottages then you can book online by clicking on the link or alternatively book over the telephone on 01439 798221

Ripley Agricultural Show - August 2012

The Ripley Agricultural Show will be held on 12th August this year at Castle Ripley Park near Harrogate.

There are classes for heavy and light horses, dog shows, sheep, cattle, pigs, vintage machinery & tractors, horticulture, product and handicrafts.

There will be a restaurant and bar on site with various attractions to keep the family entertained for the day.

There are lots of traditional county fairs in Yorkshire, so keep up to date with our blog or visit our 'What To See & Do' page to plan a break away when you can also tie in a visit to one of the local shows.

North Yorkshire Moors National Park Organised Walks

The North Yorkshire Moors is a beautiful piece of countryside to explore and there is no better way to discover the hidden jewels than by foot.  This year the North Yorkshire Moors National Park have put together a special programme to offer guided walks by Park Rangers with everything from a short family stroll to a 12 mile hike.  Taking part on the walks is free but you are required to book in advance.

Heres whats available this month;

Explore a 12th Century Planned Village, Sunday 5th August

This gentle stroll takes place around Appleto le Moors and looks at it's development from the 12th Century to Victorian times.

A Ramble from Rievaulx, Sunday 12th August

Take a 6 mile walk in the monks footsteps and discover the way the landscape was shaped and the Abbey built.

12 mile National Park Ranger Guided Walk, Saturday 18th August

This walk offers the best the Moors has to offer with spectacular heather moorland and stunning views.

Pathfinder, Sunday 26th August

A guided walk which teaches map reading, finding a route and compass use.  The ideal walk for beginners.

To find out more and to book onto a walk visit www.northyorkmoors.org.uk

Valley View Farm makes the ideal base for exploring the North Yorkshire Moors and we also have some local walks of our own to enjoy.  We welcome all pets including dogs so you can enjoy walking with your dog on holiday but we can also provide a sitting service or kennel should you also wish to enjoy a day out somewhere without your pet. Visit www.valleyviewfarm.com to find our more.

Country Shows - August 2012

There are many festivals and country shows that take place across North Yorkshire. Here are some of the events to be held in August 2012.

Saturday August 4 Osmotherley Show Thimbleby near Northallerton

Sunday August 5 Tockwith & District Agricultural Show Tockwith, near Wetherby

Tuesday 7 August Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show

Wednesday 8 August Thornton-le-Dale Show

Friday 10 August Hinderwell Horse & Agricultural Society Show

Sunday 12 August Ripley Show

11-19 August Kettlewell's Scarecrow Festival

Wednesday 15 August Danby Agricultural Show

Saturday 18 August Rosedale and District Annual Show

Saturday 18 August Gargrave Show

Wednesday 22 August Egton Horse & Agricultural Show Egton nr Whitby

Wednesday 29 August Reeth Show

Saturday August 25 Bilsdale Show

Monday 27 August Farndale Show

If you are not from this area, why not combine a stay at Valley View Farm Cottages with one of the North Yorkshire Country Show dates.

Pets & Dogs Welcome at Valley View Farm Holiday Cottages

Many of our guest bring their dogs along for their stay at Valley View Farm Cottages, however as well as dogs we have welcomed a range of pets to the cottages. Cats and other small animals are also welcome. We have even had tortoise, parrots, ferrets and birds of prey staying!

The North Yorkshire Moors is lovely for walkers to explore and if you bring your dogs to our cottages you'll even find some beautiful walks right from the door.

So if you have a pet or pets and would like to stay at Valley View Farm cottages then don't hesitate to contact us on telephone number 01439 798221 or for international enquiries call +441439 798221 or via email sally@valleyviewfarm.com

Free Days Out In Yorkshire

 With the Summer holidays here, it's always good to find some free attractions to take the children to see. Here are some of the free attractions in Yorkshire:

• Royal Armouries, Leeds.
• National Railway Museum, York.
• Wolds Way Lavender, Wintringham.
• Yorkshire Museum, York (free for all under 16 year olds accompanied by one paying adult).
• Hawes Ropemakes, Hawes.
• Yorkshire Lavender, Terrington.
• Beadlam Roman Villa, York.
• Filey Seafront Sculpture Trail.
• Falsgrave Park, Scarborough.
• Airy Hill Play Park, Whitby.
• Whitby Pannett Art Gallery and Pannett Park, Whitby.
• Spofforth Castle, Harrogate.
• Glen Gardens, Filey.
• Redcliffe Farm, Scarborough.
• Funland Amusements and Children's Rides, Filey.
• Lunapark Funfair, Scarborough.
• Whitby Lifeboat Museum, Whitby.
• The Craven Museum and Gallery, Skipton.
• The River Garden's and Perry's Plants, Whitby.

If you know of any more free attractions in North Yorkshire, then please leave a comment.