Huddled between moorland and the idyllic Boltby Forest, High Paradise Farm offers pet friendly self catering accommodation for peaceful North Yorkshire breaks. The 16th century farmhouse is an attractive location all year round for cyclists, walkers and horse riders, whether it be for a Cleveland Way tearoom pitstop or a short holiday. The site offers ample tent pitching areas from March-September, for just £10 per night, with recycling stations, toilets and drinking water inclusive of price. Additionally, there are six self catering lodgings that onlook a shared courtyard; all boast an ensuite and kitchenette, and are equipped with free wifi, flat screen TV and log fires. Dogs are welcome to stay for a small additional charge per night. Furthermore, a drinking licence is held and therefore alcohol is available to purchase onsite. Therefore, it is no surprise that this heavenly location is becoming a sought after bespoke wedding venue for those seeking intimate and rustic ceremonies in the heart of the countryside.
Following owner Ginni’s advice (via the active Instagram account) I opted to stay for two evenings at The Piggeries in August 2023, with my two Wire Haired Fox Terriers (Spike and Magic). Families may be better suited to the Wild Goose Nest or The Corn Store. There are several images of the rooms available and an accessible booking page on the business’s website: www.highparadise.co.uk I was emailed thorough and clear instructions about what to do on arrival and I was made aware of all facilities available on site - including a twenty four hour mini shop called The Rite Chuffin’ Mini Shop! It was so refreshing to learn that an honesty policy operates to allow guests to access items at their own leisure. The trusting service made me feel very at ease and at welcome.
My room was available for check in at 4pm but I arrived midday so that I could make the most of a sunny afternoon. It was a relief that the postcode provided brought me directly to the main house. There was ample flat parking and I felt confident where to head to because I downloaded the walking maps in advance of my stay from the High Paradise website. On my solo expedition, I felt blessed to watch my dogs roam freely and contently. They often found fresh trickling water to keep hydrated and to dip their paws in but we also enjoyed a picnic stop half way round the loop. The forest is magical! Brought alive with the sound of dancing crickets and trickling water, plus the sight of delicate butterflies and ancient trees, it is like a huge sensory garden for both humans and canines! I felt completely safe and harmonious despite not meeting another person for many hours. The secluded forest provides ultimate escapism!
When I arrived back at High Paradise Farm, the cafe was open for business and so I treated myself to an elderflower wine. With space for over one hundred guests, booking in advance is not required. I love the intricacies and the humour that Ginni has injected into this space! You can find games, a hammock, fairy lights and pretty tubs of plants and flowers. I opted to sit outside of the courtyard next to the pony’s field so that I could watch the goats play and the geese with their newborn chicks. It was visible that the animals on site were well cared for and happy - in particular the ducks who bathed and played as I drank my wine!
After my refreshments, I checked into The Piggeries. From the kitchenette window, there was a view of the stables and so I felt very much at home! Ginni had left the room complete with a jar of dog biscuits, a vase of fresh flowers, a bundle of firewood, and a complementary jar of honey from the resident bees - without a doubt the best I have ever tasted! The room had been prepared for my arrival and towels, fresh milk and Faith in Nature toiletries were provided as part of my stay, overall, making it exceptional value for money! The double bed was very comfortable and the three of us enjoyed a superb night’s sleep.
The next morning, we went on a 3 hour moorland hike. The heather was in full bloom and created a picturesque purple carpet as far as my eye could see. I respectfully kept the dogs on leads due to grouse and sheep populating the area. We worked up a thirst climbing hills and when we returned to the tearoom by late morning, I was grateful for a caffeine injection in the form of a salted caramel latte! We recharged the batteries in the privacy of The Piggeries before ordering the most scrumptious and generous bowl of nachos with all the trimmings from the cafe. As I ate al fresco, a group ride from Boltby Trekking Centre ambled by. The trekking centre is a short distance from High Paradise Farm and has a great reputation for accommodating all levels of riders. The hacking country is sublime and most certainly worth experiencing as an excursion for those who stay for a holiday!
That afternoon, I intended to do a short stroll across a different moorland path…
…I happened to arrive back at Paradise Farm over 3 hours later due to my phone running out of battery and so I had to rely on my natural sense of direction to get us from Kirby Knowle to Boltby via the forest tracks! Due to the hot and wet weather throughout July, the August mushrooms were sprouting everywhere in force! I have never seen so many types of fungus in my life! Furthermore, it was a wonderful distraction from my blistered sore feet to spot different creatures on my expedition from hairy caterpillars to Belted Galloway calves to an adder.
That evening, I enjoyed a bottle of wine in the fairy lit courtyard under a starry sky. I was fortunate to have the place to myself and so the dogs were able to be free range too. I treated them to some dog biscuits from the Rite Chuffin’ Shop - perhaps out of guilt for walking a lot more miles than I had intended to that day! We certainly all slept well that night!
Check out time was at 10am the next morning. Before leaving, I had to sample Ginni’s freshly baked homemade masterpiece - a cookies and cream chocolate cake! That girl can bake! The sugar rush set me up for the day and so I extended my holiday by droving to a local racing yard to watch a string of Thoroughbreds exercising on the gallops. To keep in line with the equestrian theme I continued to Kilburn to complete the Kilburn White Chalk Horse walk. Cut in 1857, the Thomas Taylor initiative has become a much loved and visited feature on the Hambleton landscape. Just a 10 minute drive from High Paradise Farm, it is well worth a visit.
I am keen to return for another mini break in the winter months, and have my heart set on The Stables, which has a hot tub. I would also love to make use of the upstairs library in the cafe and to sample more of the surgery delights in the tearoom and shop. Perhaps next time, I will take a trusty steed with me and make it an equestrian holiday…
Following owner Ginni’s advice (via the active Instagram account) I opted to stay for two evenings at The Piggeries in August 2023, with my two Wire Haired Fox Terriers (Spike and Magic). Families may be better suited to the Wild Goose Nest or The Corn Store. There are several images of the rooms available and an accessible booking page on the business’s website: www.highparadise.co.uk I was emailed thorough and clear instructions about what to do on arrival and I was made aware of all facilities available on site - including a twenty four hour mini shop called The Rite Chuffin’ Mini Shop! It was so refreshing to learn that an honesty policy operates to allow guests to access items at their own leisure. The trusting service made me feel very at ease and at welcome.
My room was available for check in at 4pm but I arrived midday so that I could make the most of a sunny afternoon. It was a relief that the postcode provided brought me directly to the main house. There was ample flat parking and I felt confident where to head to because I downloaded the walking maps in advance of my stay from the High Paradise website. On my solo expedition, I felt blessed to watch my dogs roam freely and contently. They often found fresh trickling water to keep hydrated and to dip their paws in but we also enjoyed a picnic stop half way round the loop. The forest is magical! Brought alive with the sound of dancing crickets and trickling water, plus the sight of delicate butterflies and ancient trees, it is like a huge sensory garden for both humans and canines! I felt completely safe and harmonious despite not meeting another person for many hours. The secluded forest provides ultimate escapism!
When I arrived back at High Paradise Farm, the cafe was open for business and so I treated myself to an elderflower wine. With space for over one hundred guests, booking in advance is not required. I love the intricacies and the humour that Ginni has injected into this space! You can find games, a hammock, fairy lights and pretty tubs of plants and flowers. I opted to sit outside of the courtyard next to the pony’s field so that I could watch the goats play and the geese with their newborn chicks. It was visible that the animals on site were well cared for and happy - in particular the ducks who bathed and played as I drank my wine!
After my refreshments, I checked into The Piggeries. From the kitchenette window, there was a view of the stables and so I felt very much at home! Ginni had left the room complete with a jar of dog biscuits, a vase of fresh flowers, a bundle of firewood, and a complementary jar of honey from the resident bees - without a doubt the best I have ever tasted! The room had been prepared for my arrival and towels, fresh milk and Faith in Nature toiletries were provided as part of my stay, overall, making it exceptional value for money! The double bed was very comfortable and the three of us enjoyed a superb night’s sleep.
The next morning, we went on a 3 hour moorland hike. The heather was in full bloom and created a picturesque purple carpet as far as my eye could see. I respectfully kept the dogs on leads due to grouse and sheep populating the area. We worked up a thirst climbing hills and when we returned to the tearoom by late morning, I was grateful for a caffeine injection in the form of a salted caramel latte! We recharged the batteries in the privacy of The Piggeries before ordering the most scrumptious and generous bowl of nachos with all the trimmings from the cafe. As I ate al fresco, a group ride from Boltby Trekking Centre ambled by. The trekking centre is a short distance from High Paradise Farm and has a great reputation for accommodating all levels of riders. The hacking country is sublime and most certainly worth experiencing as an excursion for those who stay for a holiday!
That afternoon, I intended to do a short stroll across a different moorland path…
…I happened to arrive back at Paradise Farm over 3 hours later due to my phone running out of battery and so I had to rely on my natural sense of direction to get us from Kirby Knowle to Boltby via the forest tracks! Due to the hot and wet weather throughout July, the August mushrooms were sprouting everywhere in force! I have never seen so many types of fungus in my life! Furthermore, it was a wonderful distraction from my blistered sore feet to spot different creatures on my expedition from hairy caterpillars to Belted Galloway calves to an adder.
That evening, I enjoyed a bottle of wine in the fairy lit courtyard under a starry sky. I was fortunate to have the place to myself and so the dogs were able to be free range too. I treated them to some dog biscuits from the Rite Chuffin’ Shop - perhaps out of guilt for walking a lot more miles than I had intended to that day! We certainly all slept well that night!
Check out time was at 10am the next morning. Before leaving, I had to sample Ginni’s freshly baked homemade masterpiece - a cookies and cream chocolate cake! That girl can bake! The sugar rush set me up for the day and so I extended my holiday by droving to a local racing yard to watch a string of Thoroughbreds exercising on the gallops. To keep in line with the equestrian theme I continued to Kilburn to complete the Kilburn White Chalk Horse walk. Cut in 1857, the Thomas Taylor initiative has become a much loved and visited feature on the Hambleton landscape. Just a 10 minute drive from High Paradise Farm, it is well worth a visit.
I am keen to return for another mini break in the winter months, and have my heart set on The Stables, which has a hot tub. I would also love to make use of the upstairs library in the cafe and to sample more of the surgery delights in the tearoom and shop. Perhaps next time, I will take a trusty steed with me and make it an equestrian holiday…