Guests say
Kemps Yard Retreat is a well-regarded cottage in Thirsk, praised for its cleanliness, prime location, and cosy atmosphere. Guests appreciate the proximity to local attractions and the helpfulness of the neighbour, Shane. While parking access is noted as tight for larger vehicles, the property's charm and amenities contribute to a pleasant stay.
The cottage consistently receives high praise for its cleanliness, with guests describing it as immaculate and tidy. The attention to detail in maintaining a clean environment is frequently mentioned.
The location is highly valued for its convenience to Thirsk's centre and attractions like The World of James Herriot. The ease of accessing local shops and amenities contributes to the positive feedback.
Comfort is generally well-received, with guests finding the beds comfortable and the cottage warm. However, some guests mention the seating in the lounge and the hardness of the single beds, slightly affecting the comfort score.
Facilities are adequate, with a well-stocked kitchen and cosy decor. However, guests have noted the lack of Wi-Fi, a tumble dryer, and issues with parking access for larger vehicles. Some appliances were also reported to be not working, indicating room for improvement in maintenance.
While guests find the cottage to be a pleasant and welcoming place to stay, there are no specific mentions of gifts or extra thoughtful touches that would warrant a score in this category.
About this property
Kemps Yard Retreat is a hidden gem of a cottage, just a stone's throw away from Thirsk market square in North Yorkshire. Located a short walk from the Herriot Museum, concealed behind the gardens of the Friends Meeting house, down a 17th-century cobbled street and with private and roadside parking, Kemps Yard is the perfect stay for those looking to be central to Thirsk while enjoying unrivalled peace. As you arrive, make your way into the sitting room, home to contemporary furniture, a feature fireplace and a Smart TV so you can unwind after a day of exploring. From here, the spacious kitchen/diner offers all you need to cook up a storm for your loved ones, along with dining seating for four guests to enjoy meals while planning another fun-filled day out. Completing the ground floor is a handy cloakroom, while the full shower room can be found on the first floor. Get some rest in one of two beautifully presented bedrooms; choose from a plush king-size, or a twin which is ideal for the children. Warmer months can be spent in the garden with a glass of wine in-hand; the decking area hosts a bistro dining set, making dining alfresco an inviting option. If you need a break from cooking you will find a wealth of dining options just a short walk away, from takeaways and pubs to delightful restaurants and cafés. For a day involving local culture, make your way to Thirsk Museum, or take advantage of your location and enjoy an afternoon of racing at Thirsk Racecourse. Head to the cathedral city of Ripon, known for its rich history and pretty architecture. Another popular city within driving distance is the stunning city of York, known for its impressive York Minster and a variety of buildings built throughout the centuries, and not forgetting the fantastic selection of pubs and eateries. Further afield you can enjoy a day of walking, cycling, or just simply exploring the picture-perfect North York Moors National Park. Book a memorable North Yorkshire adventure with a stay at Kemps Yard Retreat.
Thirsk, gateway to North York Moors National Park to the east and Yorkshire Dales National Park to the west, has a quaint market place, fine Georgian buildings, a Norman church, and great pubs, shops, restaurants, a cinema, and a leisure centre. Visit the World of James Herriott Museum, dedicated to the town's famed vet and novelist, or explore the undulating countryside and Hambleton Hills. York and the East Coast are within easy reach.
Accommodation
Two bedrooms: 1 x king-size, 1 x twin.
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Cloakroom with basin and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Sitting room
Central heating.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine and dishwasher.
Smart TV.
Wifi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
private parking spaces off road for maximum of two cars and nearby public car park.
Front garden with decking and furniture.
One well-behaved pet welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop and pub 0.1 mile.
Note: There is a step up to the decking, please take care.
Note: The alleyway/drive to the parking places is very narrow, maximum 2m width
Nearby points of interest
- World of James Herriot
- Rievaulx Abbey
Reviews (23)
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Jane
However, it has to be pointed out that to advertise this cottage as having ' onsite parking' is ridiculous. Most cars will struggle to access the very narrow lane beside it. I tried many times to speak to someone at Sykes before our stay about this issue. Eventually I had a WhatsApp conversation but it was obvious that the company have never seen the property.
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Catherine
The property had everything we needed (apart from a jug in the kitchen) the adjoining neighbour was extremely friendly and gave us the use of a single garage to store our bikes. The so called off road parking was completely unacceptable, the vehicle access was dangerously close to a wall and the front of the property - an inch at best either side of the car with no room for error. (Renault megane size vehicle) Larger height vehicles or bikes on roof etc would not pass under the arch way from the road either! The front neighbours also blocked access by parking in front of their garage door in a way that made it impossible to get by for the majority of our visit. The cottage does provide a parking permit to allow roadside parking when itâs available. This is not ideal when you have a dog and bicycles etc to move to and from the cottage. If you have a tiny car and are brave enough the cottage has a type of off road parking, if not, its roadside only. In my opinion it should be clearer about the parking situation. The cottage is lovely apart from that!!
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Susan
There was everything we could have needed and more ,the location was fantastic with loads of amenities in Thisk from pubs and restaurants to really nice shops. We would definitely stay here again and would be really happy to recommend it to anyone. If I had to be really really a negative nelly about any thing (and this is me being extremely picky) ,It's the drive way down to the cottage is really tight and not very easy for parking but please believe me this would not put us off staying there again .Just glad we had a small car .