Greengate Cottage in Hutton-le-hole

The village itself is lovely, with welcoming locals and a really picturesque, cottage-like feel. From the cottage you can park behind the property through a large wooden gate, though the space is only big enough for about three small cars. The grassy drive has no clear path, as the cottage sits away from the road. Entry was simple once we found the outside key box. Finding it was another matter. We drove there at night and couldn’t see the small green gate. It took us 25 minutes, and there’s no phone service in Hutton Le Hole to look up directions. Once there, we found the place full of character, but the upkeep was very uneven. The spacious living room has a TV, plenty of seats, books and games, though the decor doesn’t match. The sitting room is more dated, with brown and green curtains and several shades of green furniture. The kitchen and dining room are connected, with a table that can seat 6-8 people and the appliances you need, including a dishwasher. Some snacks in a drawer had already been opened. The hall is so narrow that you have to squeeze past the counters. The downstairs toilet room was old, cracked, dusty and unclean, with cobwebs and spiders. The small shower room with a toilet and sink felt very cold even with the heating on, and the shower drained poorly. The larger, modern bathroom was much nicer, though its bath was small, slow to fill and not very accessible. The enclosed shower there also drained badly, and there were no bath mats, so we improvised. The front stairs are steep, narrow and awkward, and I’d avoid them if you have mobility issues or are overweight. The second staircase is easier, but going that way means crossing through two bedrooms. Its door at the bottom could be locked, but we didn’t have the key. In bedroom 3, a few small steps lead to the room, which has a comfortable double bed, two skylights and uneven flooring. The skylights could have been dusted. A door connects it to bedroom 2, but we had no key to lock it. The room above the living room was small, with a very high double bed that my friends had to climb into. It was dusty, with mould on the windows, walls and behind the bed; we had to change the sheets because of orange streaks. By the side entrance, bedroom 4 was large, modern and appeared clean, with a queen bed, lots of room to move around and drawers, though some linen inside them wasn’t neatly put away. We told the owners about the showers, and they sent someone the next day. Both were clogged with a lot of hair, as they hadn’t been cleaned in a long time. The toilet was clogged too, for no apparent reason.

Hutton le hole is an underrated village, with friendly people and lovely scenery. The cottage is also well placed for trips, about an hour from York and around an hour and a half from Stockton or Hull. I was there with friends for an event at the folk museum, and the cottage was cute, though finding it in the dark was difficult. I stayed in the upstairs double room above the living room. Mould covered the windows and curtains, and dust had built up over a couple of weeks. The sheets were dirty, with orange splashes on them. Dust and cobwebs were noticeable throughout the rooms, including on the many ornaments and photos. There was even a layer of dust around the edges of every room, as if only the middle had been cleaned. I’d visit the village again, but not stay at the green gate cottage unless it gets a deep clean and maintenance throughout.

Sheep often wander right outside, and you get lovely views across the village. Inside, the cottage feels warm, thoughtfully equipped and nicely decorated, with an open fire as a lovely extra. It sits in the middle of a tiny, picturesque village, with local shops and tea rooms nearby. You can set off for walks on the moors straight from the cottage.

Sheep graze right by the front door, which was a special touch for us, especially for Ernie the dog, who was very taken with them. This is a first-class cottage for a great break, with space for eight adults and room to spare. The new extension has a luxurious suite and the biggest bed I’ve ever seen.