Alastair Sawday's Special Escapes: Self-catering in the UK

Skipwith Station, Derwent Flyer

Skipwith Station, Derwent Flyer, North Duffield, Yorkshire, England

Families would adore this; so would nature lovers. Train buffs? They'd miss the old 70s interiors - and the engines. In stunning contrast to their original garb, these refurbished coaches are sleek and contemporary: wooden floors, Venetian blinds, snazzy cushions, modern prints, snowy linen. Kitchens are well-equipped, showers are fabulous and there's a vintage rocking chair painted in shabby-chic fashion. The space is cosy but not cramped, well-designed but homely – the Southworths have done a brilliant job. He was general manager at the Carriageworks in York, she is a garden designer. They were looking for a project, bought up the Station House, moved in, then bought and transformed two old carriages. As for Skipwith Common, it's the largest wetland heath in the North of England: cycle tracks, bridle routes, wildlife galore, and the lane leading to leafy Skipwith village is truly rural. Lizanne's creativity has extended to two landscaped acres... add several hens, and two wagging dogs you can walk if you don't have your own, and you'll soon feel at home. Books, games, DVDs, storage and air con – all yours, and if you stay for four nights there's a hamper as well. Lizanne is delightful and settles you in.

The Derwent Flyer sleeps 6 and The Derwent Mail sleeps 4. Please check owner's website for availability.

Special Notices

Posted: Thursday, July 29, 2010

This information has been provided by the owner or management of Skipwith Station, Derwent Flyer and is not verified or endorsed by ASP.

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Details

Skipwith Station, Derwent Flyer

Contact: Lizanne Southworth

• Tel: 01757 282288
• Sleeps: 2-6 per unit (10 in total).
• Rooms: Derwent Flyer (sleeps 6): double; bunk room; shower room; double futon. Derwent Mail (sleeps 4): double; bunk room; shower room.
• Price: £135 – £495. Price is per carriage, not per person. 3 nights minimum.
• Closed: Rarely.

Checklist

• Dishwasher
• Electricity included
• Washing machine
• Microwave oven
• Central heating
• Mobile reception
• Television
• BBQ
• Beach within 3 miles
• Cooked meals available
• Restaurant nearby
• Short breaks possible
• Extra bed/cot available
• Shop within 3 miles

Points of interest

• We are on the edge of Skipwith Common - 300 hectares of lowland heath, ideal for rambling, dog walking and bird watching for night jars and barn owls (as well as a plethora of other fauna - deer, long-horn cattle, highland sheep and Exmoor ponies).
• We are 20 minutes from York where there are many tourist attractions such as York Minster, the Viking Centre, Clifford's Tower, the National Trust Treasurer's House, the National Railway Museum, York Dungeons and the Castle Museum plus many more.
• A collection of ecclesiastical buildings within a short drive - Howden Minster, Selby Abbey and York Minster - plus others north of York, e.g. Fountains Abbey and Byland Abbey.
• The Walled Garden at Scampston,a beautiful contemporary garden with grasses designed by Piet Oudolf, is approximately 40 minutes away. Other famous gardens in the vicinity include Burton Agnes, Benningbrough Hall, Newby Hall and RHS Harlow Carr.
• Murton Park offers a fascinating history of the Derwent Valley Light Railway, of which Skipwith Station was a part. There you can find a replica of our house in its original condition as a rural railway station.
• Skipwith Station is child friendly with badminton and croquet available. As well as the attractions of York, the coast is 40 mins away (Hornsea) + Lightwater Valley and Flamingo Land in similar reach.. Please check our website for availability.

This information is provided by owners and is not endorsed by ASP. If you have questions about it, please contact the owners.