Telfit Farm, Yorkshire Dales — Graham Custance Photography

Storm Dennis was fast approaching the British Isles and it was time to batten down the hatches but we had planned a Valentines weekend up in the Yorkshire Dales at Telfit Farm near Richmond, after the lovely people at Yorkshire Escapes had invited both of us and Riley to have a taster of this picturesque part of the country. From Bedfordshire it took us just over four hours to reach our destination and as we reached the nearest village of Marske, the weather took a turn for the worse and the rain became torrential. We followed the long meandering single track road across the moorland, glimpsing the lights of the property in the distance and eventually arriving in the courtyard of this magnificent early nineteenth-century stone farmhouse.

India, from Yorkshire Escapes welcomed us out of the rain into the warmth of the farmhouse and gave us a guided tour of the property. Equipped with nine bedrooms, nine bathrooms including the adjacent one bedroom Cart House, that was beautiful in its own right. We loved how the recent 11 month refurbishment had managed to include modern amenities yet stayed true to the traditional character of a countryside farmhouse.

The eclectic mix of furniture, art and artefacts, including carved French beds, period paintings and beautiful rugs sets very high standards for a holiday rental home.

There are two staircases, one of them made from stone with built in lights to illuminate the climb to the upper floor. One of the double bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom is located downstairs. Upstairs there are seven bedrooms each with a bathroom, beautifully decorated and many with stunning views across the rolling dales.

There is one twin room as well as six double bedrooms, three of which allow for the option of being separated into twin rooms. Each bedroom is elegantly decorated and has its own unique feel and character to it

As well as being the prefect venue for a large family gathering, Telfit Farm is also the ideal wedding venue, only twenty minutes driving time from the A1 and just five miles from the historic market town of Richmond. You can imagine how relaxed the atmosphere would be for the that special day, followed with perhaps an informal BBQ/lunch the following day. The property also consists of a converted barn with a wood burning stove, oak floors and original beams. Telfit Farm also hosts, conferences, seminars and yoga retreats.

Downstairs consists of a spacious entrance hall and a drawing room with large open fireplace leading on to a beautifully furnished sitting room, with lots of artwork adorning the walls.

Adjacent to the sitting room is this formal dining room complete with candelabra, which would be ideal for that dinner party .

Leading on to the open plan kitchen area, with island and American style fridge freezer and range cooker, I loved the huge picture of the sheep on the far wall.

At the far end of the farmhouse just off of the kitchen area is a conservatory with a vista overlooking the garden and dales.

The stunning views from the patio area overlooking the rolling Yorkshire Dales. We had planned to explore the local area with Riley but Storm Dennis put paid to that plan. Instead our weekend break was spent nestling down in this cosy farmhouse, oblivious to the wind and rain all around us.

The television room had a large flat screen on the wall with Sky TV and a Bose sound system if you just wanted to chill out and listen to music. A wood burning stove made sure you are comfortably warm.

The games room, equipped with table tennis equipment.

The Cart House contains another double bedroom with rustic beams and French antique bed. The rest of the property consist of a bathroom with a bath and separate shower, kitchen and sitting room downstairs. This property is ideal for a couple of people away from the main farmhouse building.

Yorkshire Escapes was founded by Victoria Bilborough, who has lived in Yorkshire most of her life, so she has extensive knowledge of the area and there are currently 25 varied properties to choose from on their website.