Country Shows Of North Yorkshire

As a farmer's wife I love to go to a country show when time allows. We are lucky here in North Yorkshire as we have a whole host of country shows during the Summer months.

May

• 25th May - Duncombe Park Country Fair.

June

• 14th June - North Yorkshire Country Show.

July

• 18th July - Sneaton and Hawsker Agricultural Show.
• 18th July - Picton Show.
• 19th July - Malton Show.
• 26th July - Huby and Sutton Show.
• 28th July - Ryedale Agricultrual Show.
• 29th July - Borrowby Show.
  

August

• 1st August - Osmotherley Show.
• 5th August - Thornton-le-Dale Show.
  
• 12th August - Danby Agricultural Show.
  
• 15th August - Rosedale and District Annual Show.
  
• 26th August - Egton Horse & Agricultural Show.
  
• 29th August - Bilsdale Show.
  
• 31st August - Farndale Show.
  
• 31st August - Burniston Agricultural Show.
  

September

• 19th September - Stokesley 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.

Thirsk Furniture Trail

If you have a love of beautiful handmade furniture then the Thirsk Furniture Trail is for you.

The Thirsk Furniture Trail includes eleven furniture makers in the North Yorkshire area, so why not take to the trail and view some exceptional furniture and wonderful local scenery as you travel around North Yorkshire.

The trail includes:

1. Beaver Furniture - by Colin Almack at Sutton-Under-Whitestonecliffe.
2. Carthouse furniture at Carlton Miniott.
3. Coxwold Cabinet Makers at Coxwold.
4. Design In Wood at Thirsk.
5. Graham Duncalf Furniture Maker at Bagby.
6. English Hardwood Furniture at Topcliffe.
7. Malcolm Pipes - Fox Furniture at Husthwaite.
8. Old Mill Furniture at Thirsk.
9. Squirrel Woodcarvers at Husthwaite.
10. Treske Furniture at Thirsk.
11. Bob Hunter - Wren Cabinet Makers at Thirlby.
    

So if you would like to see the traditional craft of furniture making in North Yorkshire then why not book a stay at one of the Valley View Farm holiday cottages by booking online by clicking on the link or alternatively you can book over the telephone on 01439 798221 and spend a day along the Thirsk Furniture Trail.

Clocks Change And A Lovely Day

Well did the clocks catch you out this morning or did you remember that there would be one less hour in bed! It's nice that even with a little less sleep we were able to open our eyes, well in Yorkshire at least, to a lovely sunny Spring day. Hope you are all enjoying the day. Let us know what you've been up to on this sunny Sunday.

National Student Drama Festival

For all you thesbians and theatre lovers, why not head along to Scarborough Spa to check out the National Student Drama Festival. A week long celebration of theatre and live performance with visiting artists and workshops run by professionals.

The week begins 28th March until 3rd April 2009.

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 .

Easter Holidays In North Yorkshire

The Easter holidays are not too far away and if you fancy a break away from the stresses and strains of everyday life and want a peaceful, relaxing holiday with friends and family or just the two of you, then Valley View Farm Cottages in North Yorkshire is the place to come. You may see some of our lambs and ewes running in the fields, giving the farm a real Easter feel.

With 6 pretty cottages lovingly restored, with one, two or three bedrooms to choose from, there is something to suit all group sizes.

For a couple wishing to have a romantic Easter break away from it all then we have three lovely holiday cottages to choose from.

Couch Cottage is a delightful one bedroom cottage (sleeps 2) which opens onto a courtyard with an amazing view. It has a zip and link bed (twins / kingsize) and is all on the ground floor. The kitchen and living room are open plan. The en-suite bathroom is a wet-room and suitable for disabled access.

Form Cottage is a lovely one bedroom ground floor cottage (sleeps 2) with a kingsize bed and a modern bathroom with bath and shower.

Formicary Cottage is a quaint one bedroom ground floor cottage with twin beds and an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower. There is a breakfast bar area and the living room also has a double sofa bed. Sleeps 2-4.

If you are a family or group looking for holiday cottages that sleep 4 to 10 then we have a number of cottages to choose from.

Drey Cottage is a two bedroom cottage (sleep 4) with one double and one twin bedroom. Both rooms have en-suite facilities. The double bedroom has a shower and the twin room has a bath. This cottage can connect to Holt Cottage to make a 10-person family cottage.

Holt Cottage is a three bedroom cottage (sleeps 6) with sitting room, dining area and kitchen upstairs. One twin room with en suite bathroom is upstairs and one downstairs along with a bathroom (with bath and shower) ­and a double bedroom with a shower room.

Granary Cottage is a spacious three bedroom cottage which can sleep 6. The kitchen/dining room and living room are downstairs, as is a twin room with en-suite wet room and a separate WC. Upstairs are two bedrooms, one a twin with en-suite bath and shower and the other a kingsize bedroom with bath and shower.

We have been busy compiling a list of attractions with places to visit and things to do which may help you to plan your Easter break. So click on this link - Places Of Interest In North Yorkshire.

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.

Places To Visit And Things To Do In North Yorkshire

We have been busy compiling a new list of North Yorkshire attractions with lots of ideas for places to visit and things to do whilst you stay at Valley View Farm Cottages.

The list includes:

• Abbeys to visit.
• Activities which are mainly outdoor activities.
• Attractions in the area from museums to theme parks.
• Castles, halls and Stately homes to visit.
• Cities to enjoy.
• Coastal Towns to explore.
  
• Cycling routes and trails in the area.
• Educational places to visit.
• Farms to explore.
  
• Market Towns to wander around.
• The Races to cheer on the horses.
• Tearooms to seek refreshments.
• Trains and Railways to view.
• Parks and Gardens to meander around.
• Villages to visit.
• Walking trails and routes to try out.

So if all these ideas have wet your appetite then why not book a stay at one of the Valley View Farm holiday cottages by booking online by clicking on the link or alternatively you can book over the telephone on 01439 798221.

Tips To Help Beat The Credit Crunch

I was reading The Daily Telegraph's article, Credit crunch: 50 money-saving ways to beat the squeeze...

As a farmer's wife I really liked the following tips:

• Buy in season food.
• Plan your weeks meals listing ingredients needed and then shop for those ingredients.
• Take a packed lunch to work or for the children to take to school.
• Use up left overs - boil the carcass of the chicken to make stock for gravy and soups and use left over veg for homemade soups which are very tasty.
  
• Make a little extra of your favourite meals such as lasagne, casseroles/stews, and shepherds pie and then freeze the extra portions.
• Cook your own food.
  
• Buy in bulk - potatoes.
• Grow your own fruit and veg.
• Make your own compost by recycling certain food scraps and compostable materials.
  

Here are a few of my own tips:

• Buy from the farm gate as you get fresh produce at good prices and you know exactly where the food has come from - egg, potatoes, fruit and veg.
• Trade in take aways for home cooked meals - Pizzas, chicken nuggets and curries can be easily made from scratch and taste delicious.
  
• Start baking - bake your own bread (you could use a bread maker) cakes and biscuits.
• Make your own pastry so you can make pasties, sausage rolls and jam tarts.
• Make your own preserves and chutneys.
• For those who enjoy a tipple why not make your own wine, beer or cider, I can't guarantee the results but I'm sure you'll have fun making it.

Do you have any good tips to help beat the credit crunch, if so please leave a comment as I'd love to hear them.