Thompsons Arms Holiday Cottages

We stayed for three nights in early September 2025. Check-in and checkout were easy, and the room was quiet, clean, spacious and comfortable, with a nice view from two skylights. The upstairs space got plenty of natural light, and the shower was roomy with an adjustable handheld head. Hot water was reliable, there were lots of bathroom extras and full-size bottles of shampoo and body gel to choose from, plus proper towel bars and an in-room refrigerator. There’s free secure parking onsite, food and drink options, and the country setting is very quiet, though there are no shops for miles. The room had no number or name. The old-fashioned whimsical keys made me uneasy for several safety reasons, so I’d leave the key in the slot while inside. Wi-Fi kept timing out and was tricky to reconnect. The TV powered on but usually showed a black screen and never got better, and there were no USB ports.

Stuart and Lilli were fabulous hosts, happy to help with anything. I booked a night while working at York Racecourse, and the clean, comfortable room had a good shower. The cooked English breakfast was delicious and set me up well for the day. Carling Lager at £3.50 a pint was a nice bonus too. I’d definitely recommend staying here and hope to book again next year.

The beds were very comfy, and breakfast was delicious at £7.50. The pub has quaint cottages, and the landlord and lady gave us a really warm welcome and were very accommodating. They also offer a taxi service for guests needing to get to Sandburn Hall for weddings. It’s right by a main road, so you do hear every vehicle go past. Highly recommend.

Stuart was so helpful when we arrived, and it was nice seeing him behind the bar later that evening. The cottages had plenty of useful touches, which helped since we packed light. We came for a quiet night away from the kids and had a great stay. The pub is a fantastic, proper local with a traditional feel. Everything was clean, and it’s a great base for the surrounding villages. Definitely looking to book again, highly recommend!