Experience a chapter of history while staying at this former chapel in Oxenhope, West Yorkshire. Up to 12 guests can sleep across five bedrooms in this chic property, with an open-plan living area acting as the heart of the home and the chance for you all to spend lazy evenings on the sofas with the wood burner crackling in the background. Oxenhope is a gateway to stunning natural beauty and is close to the village of Haworth, once the home of the Brontës, which you can reach via a 3-mile walk along the Bronte Way from Oxenhope. Enjoy scenic walks, invigorating hikes, mountain biking, or horseback riding through rolling hills, meadows, and picturesque valleys. Hop aboard the nostalgic Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (1 mile), a preserved steam railway that runs through the village and scenic countryside.
Enjoy imagining the history that this property holds. Step inside and take in the beautiful styling and elegance of a spacious open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner. The calming hues of the lounge subtly differentiate this space and invite you all to cosy up on the two corner sofas in front of a wood burner, watching your favourite shows on the Smart TV. The contemporary kitchen provides all the necessary appliances to create memorable meals. The adjacent dining table comfortably seats twelve, so you can linger over dinner, reflecting on the day and planning the next day's activity. The first floor has a large double bedroom with a Smart TV and an adjoining room with two single beds. There is also a bathroom. The second floor offers three double bedrooms with countryside views and a family bathroom featuring a stained-glass window. The top floor is a king-size bedroom with an en-suite shower and original beams. Outside is a hot tub on the patio area, a dining area with a BBQ and ample seating to enjoy a drink and meal together.
From Oxenhope, you can take a nostalgic ride on a steam train, boarding the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway for a gentle chug to Haworth, former home of the Bronte sisters, and Keighley, a pretty town with an industrial heritage. The spectacular scenery of Bronte Country is all around, and you’ll want to get out and about on foot, by bike or perhaps even on horseback.
Discover the sights, shops and eateries of nearby towns, including Hebden Bridge (7 miles), Sowerby Bridge (10 miles) and Halifax (9.5 miles).
Well worth a visit, Halifax was once the centre of the wool trade in Victorian England, which blessed the town with wealth and good fortune. Many of the opulent buildings and monuments from this time can still be seen as you walk around the town, including Piece Hall, a magnificent Georgian building which was once the place where weavers sold their cloth. Nowadays, it’s a fabulous place to grab a tasty bite to eat or peruse the independent shops and boutiques, as well as catch some outdoor performances.
Other impressive buildings include Halifax Minster, the town’s Gothic church; the Grade II-listed Halifax Town Hall, created by the same man who designed the Houses of Parliament; and Shibden Hall, a 15th-century historic home surrounded by a glorious park, once home to the ‘first modern lesbian’, Anne Lister, who wrote her secret diaries there. The parkland is an excellent place to spend a day, where you can walk beside the pretty flowerbeds, row across the Mere or ride on the miniature train which will delight any children in your party. Kids will also love Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, which is sure to capture their imaginations with its 400 interactive exhibits.
If you enjoy food, make sure to visit Halifax’s Borough Market, which is a stunning Grade II-listed building hosting an award-winning covered market throughout the week. Sample some local produce and pick up a tasty treat to enjoy back at your luxury holiday cottage.
There is enough to do in Halifax itself to fill a whole holiday. However, if you want to venture slightly further afield, Huddersfield and Bradford are just 16 and 9.5 miles respectively from the cottage, or you could set out to explore the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, 15 miles away.