Rural Retreats was founded in 1985 with the aim of making the countryside more accessible for holidaymakers and giving them the best possible choice of holiday homes across the UK. Rural Retreats’ continuing success is based on excellent local knowledge and painstaking research, together with a flair for finding delightful and unusual properties. All of this has enabled us to build a portfolio of over 450 exceptionally fine holiday homes in stunningly beautiful locations, all available for you to rent. When you are looking for your own perfect holiday home, our experienced and helpful staff can help to point you to the property of your dreams. Whatever you want to ask about any of our properties, there will be someone on our staff who knows the cottage or apartment at first hand.

This former stonemason’s workshop in the heart of the village of Ampleforth, has been beautifully renovated into a light and airy bolthole for two and a perfect base for exploring all of the beautiful countryside and coast of North Yorkshire.

Information correct at time of writing. Opposite the property is Kirk’s Coffee House serving excellent coffee, delicious food and daily baked bread which is always a fast sell-out! The village also provides a well-stocked shop and Post Office, a five minute walk from the property. Both village pubs, The White Swan and The White Horse Inn, have excellent reputations for good food. Visitors can take advantage of the sports centre facilities at Ampleforth College and within a 5 mile radius there is fishing, pony trekking, golf, cycle hire and the newly opened cycle trails from Sutton Bank National Park Centre. A 5 minute drive brings you to the pretty market town of Helmsley with Helmsely Castle, Helmsley Walled Garden, Duncombe Park and a wide range of shops, hotels/pubs and restaurants. Close at hand are Rievaulx Abbey and Byland Abbey and the National Trust properties of Nunnington Hall and Rievaulx Terraces and Temples. Further afield are Whitby on the coast, Goathland and Pickering in the National Park, Masham, Ripon and Harrogate to the west, Castle Howard and Scampston Walled Garden to the east and York to the south are all within easy reach. Outdoor activities Mason's Cottage is in a perfect location if you enjoy walking – there are walks from the front door and several books in the house to inspire you. The Cleveland Way starts in Helmsley and Hawnby is another good place to park and start your walk with the reward of a tea shop on your return to the village. Inspired by the Tour de Yorkshire, Sutton Bank Bikes offer hire of a wide range of cycles. For the golfer, there is Ampleforth Golf (Tel: ) in nearby Gilling, a 9 hole golf course through the castle grounds or Kirkbymoorside Golf Club, an 18 hole championship standard course, also welcomes visitors. If you enjoy a day out at the races, then Yorkshire has lots of options for you to visit - the closest racecourse is Thirsk Racecourse but there is also good racing at York, Ripon, Beverley and...