When you think of James Herriot, it’s likely that the Yorkshire Dales spring to mind in association. But in actual fact, it’s Thirsk that acts as the real beating heart of Herriot Country.
Just a stone’s throw away from the North York Moors, Thirsk is a quaint market town where you’ll find bags of Yorkshire charm (and James Herriot/All Creatures Great and Small history), and while it’s often overlooked as one of the main tourist destinations of Yorkshire – it has a lot to offer.
Offering something a little different to your typical hotel stay, we built our trip to Thirsk around a stay at Landal Woodland Lakes – a holiday park situated on the outskirts of the town. Home to an array of lodges, we chose their alpine-style Birch Spa lodge – boasting its very own hot tub out front (an amenity that’s typically a must when we’re choosing where to stay).
Consisting of two storeys, each Birch Spa lodge looks like it’s been plucked straight out of Aspen, thanks to its wood-clad exterior which not only brings the alpine vibes outside, but inside, too – covering every single surface. All it needs now is snow.
Upon walking towards the lodges, guests are greeted with a covered terrace with outdoor seating and a hot tub – which, in our case, were both positioned overlooking a tranquil ‘lake’ where ducks swam.
Inside, the cosy lodge vibes continued – with wooden-clad walls and ceilings, cuddling around a spacious living and dining area, kitchen and downstairs bathroom.
Upstairs, a winding staircase leads guests to an additional outdoor terrace, as well as a twin bedroom and the master. You can tell that the lodges were designed with families and groups in mind, as in addition to the downstairs bathroom/shower room, the upstairs boasts a family bathroom and an en-suite – both complete with their own bathtub to dispel any bathtime feuds.
Overall, we found the lodges to be great value for money – thanks to its low price, hot tub and convenient location near Thirsk, Boroughbridge and Ripon – with plenty of great pubs and places to eat just a short drive away from the site.
Find out more here. Landal Woodland Lakes, Coney Carth Lane, Carlton Miniott, Thirsk, YO7 4NJ.
Credit: The Luxury Yorkshire Resort With Stunning Views Of Roseberry Topping
