Three Bedroom Listed Cottage

Description

Update October 1st 2021:
Although the UK is emerging from the pandemic, the owner has been unable to return from Japan to ensure the property is up to standard, so for the time being the cottage remains mothballed and bookings are blocked until at least early 2022. In the meantime please feel free to browse the listing and perhaps bear it in mind for the future.


Grade II listed three-bedroom Georgian cottage in a prime location at the heart of historical Skipton, close to the bohemian "canal quarter" and within a minute's walk from the High Street. All restaurants, pubs and amenities are within 5-10 minutes walk. It is possible to have an extended stay here without a car if you arrive by rail or bus.

The row of cottages to which the property belongs is of historical interest because it housed workers involved in the building of the Leeds-Liverpool canal during the Industrial Revolution. Therefore the cottages have "group value" as a historical listing. However, unlike the other cottages in the terrace, which are "one-up, one-down" types, the property is a "double", two cottages having been joined into a single larger one. The name "Fair Deal Cottage" was originally on the deeds, but the reason behind the name was never clarified. However, in view of its quirkiness I decided to retain it.

If you are looking for central accommodation in Skipton, close to historical and popular tourist sites, yet allowing a quick escape back to quiet and privacy, this cottage is - quite frankly - hard to beat.

Unlike many holiday properties that are dedicated for letting only, this cottage is still a working home, and is the owner's UK "base". Therefore the interior has a homely lived-in feel with many books, pictures and Japanese items on display.

The property has a spacious living room and dining kitchen, one large double bedroom, a single bedroom, and a small box-room-size cozy bedroom, being ideal for a couple, a group of up to 4 adults, or a family with two children. Although an additional guest can be accommodated on the downstairs sofa, the owner considers that accommodation for 5 people would be comfortable only for short stays.

Please note that as the owner is in Japan most of the time, you will receive a rapid response to email between about breakfast time and 4pm UK time. Outside those hours, a response is guaranteed within about 12 hours.

As a rough guide to whether the cottage might suit particular tastes/expectations, please note the following:

The property is probably well suited to those who are looking for:
1. A traditional Yorkshire cottage with a modernized interior, but still maintaining some charm and character.
2. A location that offers all the convenience of living in the historical heart of Skipton, with all amenities within a few minutes walking distance, with no hills or steep gradients.
3. A degree of internal quirkiness that reflects the owner's tastes.
4. Somewhere that offers cozy accommodation for 2-4 people.

However, it is probably NOT suitable for people who:
1. Want to sit in a hot tub and drink Prosecco :-)
2. Are expecting 5-star fittings throughout.
3. Hope to do oven cooking (there is only a programmable microwave).
4. Wish to have vast expanses of open scenery and seclusion.
5. Wish to have a neutral interior with "standardized" decor, Jack Vettriano on the wall and/or Yorkshire kitsch.

The bottom line is that the cottage has "character". It is not a gleaming showcase property and not all the fittings are state of the art. It has a creaky staircase and upper floor, and the decor is personalized, reflecting the taste of the owner and his family. However, being a working home, it is very well equipped and comfortable. The main selling point of the cottage is its superb central location, which singles it out from other holiday lets in Skipton. Potential guests should bear these points in mind when considering booking.

Finally......if you have ever considered putting Japan on your bucket list, Dave would be happy to hear from anyone who would enjoy a "real Japan" experience at his home in the mountains just west of Tokyo. The property is now available to view on the site (HAUK 10389792), and Dave's profile is searchable on Facebook for further information and photos.