Sandholme Cottage sits overlooking the River Nidd, just outside the market town of Pateley Bridge and nestled in the heart of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Accessible by car, bike or on foot from Pateley (itself an easy drive or bus from Harrogate), it's the perfect base for a visit to this beautiful part of North Yorkshire.

Head out of the garden and down the hill to the Nidd and a short stroll along the river will bring you to Pateley Bridge (head left) or to the Sportsman's Arms (head right). Further afield, a short drive away is Appletreewick and the lovely Craven Arms pub. You can walk up the Wharfe to Bolton Abbey. The Nidderdale Way runs up the valley and then back the other side and is a great route with really varied views - you can follow it from the house and up one side of the nearest reservoir, Gouthwaite - this is a bird reserve, so bring binoculars if you like a twitch! At Brimham Rocks you can wander through (or climb over) giant, unusually-shaped rock formations created by an immense river 100 million years before dinosaurs walked the earth. Or head underground at Stump Cross Caverns to see the stalagmites and stalactites of the limestone caves (discovered in the 1860s by local lead miners).​ A trip to Fountain's Abbey offers both the ruins of the extraordinary Cistercian monastery as well as the sumptuous Georgian water gardens of Studley Royal. Or how about Ripley Castle, home to the Ingleby family for nigh on 700 years and full of thrilling, turbulent history! And when the sun goes down, the cottage offers a rare ‘Dark Sky Discovery’ site: minimal light pollution allows opportunities for some of best stargazing in UK.