The Old Reading Room,

The Old Reading Room is a luxury two-bedroom cottage in West Witton, Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. Built in the 1860s as a reading room for the men of the village, this beautifully converted property sleeps four and sits in the heart of one of Yorkshire's most scenic dales. The building's history is fascinating originally open-plan with fires at either end, women weren't even allowed inside.

West Witton is a pretty Dales village with a pub, village store, tea rooms and a post office all within easy reach. The village green and pond are next door. Bolton Castle is visible across the Dale and Penhill rises behind the garden.

Inside, the ground floor features a large open-plan layout with warm wooden floors and underfloor heating. A two-way wood burner divides the snug from the lounge. Two en-suite bedrooms upstairs one super king (convertible to twins) and one king-size both have skylights. The Japanese-style Ofuro hot tub is accessed directly through folding garden doors.

Bolton Castle (4 miles / 10 mins), Middleham Castle (3 miles / 8 mins), Aysgarth Falls (6 miles / 12 mins) and Forbidden Corner (8 miles / 18 mins) are all close by.

The Old Reading Room suits couples and small families who want a genuinely special base in the Yorkshire Dales with real history, a hot tub and outstanding food right across the road.