Coxwold School House Bed and Breakfast is tucked away in one of the most beautiful villages in the heart of Yorkshire.

Ideally situated to explore the local historic attractions in York and Thirsk and the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway, Newburgh Priory, Shandy Hall, Byland Abbey, Ampleforth Abbey and the White Horse at Kilburn and only a short drive from Thirsk [James Herriot's Darrowby], Helmsley.

Coxwold is also a perfect base for walking, cycling, short breaks, midweek breaks, family holidays and business stopovers.

The school house is almost 300 years old and full of quaint characteristics. It also has a beautiful secluded cottage garden, complete with babbling brook.

Rooms:

The guest bedrooms offer very comfortable accommodation with tea and coffee making facilities and televisions and our hearty Yorkshire breakfasts after a good night's rest are guaranteed to set you up for the day. One of our rooms includes a romantic four-poster bed.

All rates include a hearty full Yorkshire traditional breakfast.

Hosts:

Mervyn & Margaret Poulter also operate the very popular Coxwold Tearooms which are open Wednesdays to Sundays. Guests can enjoy all the old-fashioned pleasures of afternoon tea with real home-baking, homemade soups, light meals and Yorkshire ham & eggs.

About Coxwold, Yorkshire:

Coxwold, Yorkshire - population 190 is an exceptionally beautiful village located in the vale of Mowbray between the Hambleton and Howardian Hills.

Established in the 5th century, Coxwold underwent a face-lift in the 19th century when the cottages were refinished with the famous Yorkshire stone that has become so familiar through the TV series "All Creatures Great and Small" and "Heartbeat".

This soft, warm, local York stone was used in the construction of the majestic York Minster Cathedral in 1100 AD and was also used extensively in many Yorkshire villages.

Local villages take pride in the appearance of their beautiful village and this has resulted in Coxwold being named the winner of the Rural Community Council - Best Kept Village Trophy on numerous occasions.

Since 700 AD, Coxwold has had a church on this site at the top of the hill. The present church was built in 1420 AD and has changed very little since then.

Walks in Coxwold:

Opposite the garage in Coxwold is a leafy green lane. About fifty yards along there is a kissing gate. Go through this keeping to the left until you pass through another gate. Then keep to the right along the hedge and up the hill, over the style, along the field and down the hilly field. Keep to the left at the bottom until the road appears. Walk along it to the left and left again at the next junction, entering the field through the opening immediately on your left. Cross diagonally to your right across the corner of the field towards the rookery at Shandy Quarry and out through the kissing gate on its right onto the main road for twenty-five yards until the pavement begins. Stroll down the hill until the village shop/post office where you turn right and then left down the lane to see the Coxwold gardens. Then Husthwaite Road and the cottage is in sight.

or

Walk down to Newburgh Priory Lake and feed the ducks and swans. You might as well stroll to the gate and see when the Priory grounds are open to the public especially if it is azalea time. It is well worth going around the buildings too and have refreshments there. It is said that Oliver Cromwell's body was brought to Newburgh Priory by his daughter who was once Mistress of the house.

Places to Visit Around Coxwold:

There are many enjoyable places to visit in and around Coxwold and we invite you explore some of them on our Web site.

Shandy Hall Coxwold was built as a priest's house and is most famous for being the home of Rev. Lawrence Sterne who wrote "Tristram Shandy" while living there 1760 - 1768. The Hall contains the world's largest collection of first editions of Sterne's works.

Byland Abbey Coxwold, built in the 12th century was once a prosperous Cistercian Abbey and one of the greatest monasteries in the North (2 miles).

Newburgh Priory is a large and imposing house standing on the site of an Augustinian Priory, founded in 1145, it is a fine stately home in a superb setting with breathtaking views to the Kilburn White Horse in the distance. The extensive grounds contain a water garden, walled garden, topiary yews and woodland walks.

Amplefoth Abbey Attend a service and hear the singing of the Benedictine monks who in 2002 will celebrate 200 years of service in Ampleforth.

Easingwold a market town with cobbled square and many fine Georgian buildings (6 miles).

Thirsk, the 'Darrowby' of the James Herriot books and a typical Yorkshire market town with cobbled square and central clock (7 miles).

The World of James Herriot taking you back to the 1940s to experience life as a vet.

Helmsley Following the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror rewarded his faithful followers with land. One of the followers was Walter L’Espec, who built Helmsley Castle on the land he received. Helmsley grew to prominence under the protection of the Castle, but it was reduced to a massive ruined keep after a three month siege by Parliamentarians during the Civil War (8 miles).

Rievaulx Abbey was the first Cistercian monastery in Northern England, being colonised by 12 monks from Clairvaux in 1132.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway step back in time and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors from a steam train. Goathland is a tiny community better known as Aidensfield of the TV series "Heartbeat". Aidenfield is visited my one million visitors a year from around the world wishing to experience a taste of the Yorkshire they fell in love with watching the series.

Castle Howard built in 1699 on 1,000 acres of parkland in the Howardian Hills and surrounded by the Great Lake, lawns, nature walks, woods and fountains this palace is the largest and most spectacular stately home in Yorkshire ( 10 miles).

York is a vibrant and beautiful city with a varied cultural heritage that goes back to its settlement by the Romans in 71 AD. Enjoy a walk around the ancient city walls, visit the magnificent York Minster Cathedral, enjoy a leisurely guided tour on the river, shop in the pedestrian precincts surrounded my historic buildings, visit Betty's for tea or check out one of the many other fine eateries (19 miles).

York Minster, the largest medieval building in England and the biggest cathedral north of the Alps, the Minster was built on what was the headquarters of a Roman fortress. A marvellous example of intricate design of Gothic architecture, the Minster has dominated the city for eight centuries.

Jorvik Viking Centre brings you face to face with real characters from York's Viking past.

National Railway Museum is a great place for anyone interested in trains as there are 103 locomotives on view along with 177 other items of rolling stock.

Great Day Trips from Coxwold:

There are many enjoyable trip opportunities around Coxwold and we encourage you explore some of them.

Thirsk Market Square:

Thirsk The 'Darrowby' of the James Herriot books and a typical Yorkshire market town with cobbled square and central clock.

Herriot Country:

Herriot Country is the broad, fertile land lying between the North York Moors to the east and the Yorkshire Dales to the west.

Alf Wight:

Alf Wight, the author of the James Herriot books, lived and practised in Thirsk and his former surgery at 23 Kirkgate has been transformed into The World of James Herriot taking you back to the 1940s to experience life as a vet. Take part in your own television programme from "All Creatures Great and Small", have fun with the interactive displays in the Visible Farm and marvel at the largest display of veterinary instruments in the country.

Byland Abbey:

Coxwold, built in the 12th century was once a prosperous Cistercian Abbey and one of the greatest monasteries in the North.

In 1538 King Henry VIII ordered the destruction of the abbey and had the alter plate, furnishings, timber and lead from the roof sold. The large west tower with its great rose window still stands as a marvelous example of early Gothic architecture.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway:

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway provides some 18 miles of preserved steam railway running through the spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors. The line is owned by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust who have run the line as a living museum since 1974.

Heartbeat Country:

Goathland better known as Aidensfield is the setting for the TV series "Heartbeat" This popular series about life in a Yorkshire village during the 1960's is now watched by fans in 35 countries.

One million fans a year visit the village and the beautiful surrounding Yorkshire countryside where the series is filmed.

You can drive to Goathland or take the North Yorkshire Railway's steam train.